Support a Safer, Greener Iris Avenue
Join Us at Upcoming City Open Houses
As residents of Boulder, we all share a common desire for a safer, more accessible, and environmentally friendly community. One of our city’s current projects, the Iris Avenue Transportation Improvements Project, presents a critical opportunity to enhance our neighborhood's livability and safety. Currently, Iris Avenue operates with two lanes of traffic in each direction, which includes a fast lane that doubles as a left turn lane. This design is not only dangerous but also inefficient.
A Vision for a Better Iris Avenue
Imagine Iris Avenue with one traffic lane in each direction and a dedicated shared center left turn lane. This change would significantly decrease the potential for accidents while making turns, as drivers would no longer need to navigate across multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic. Additionally, this configuration would allow room for protected bike lanes on either side of the street, providing safe travel for cyclists and encouraging more residents to consider biking as a viable transportation option.
But the improvements don’t stop there. With these changes, we could also introduce green spaces and vegetation along Iris Avenue, enhancing the street’s aesthetic and making it a more pleasant environment for pedestrians and all who travel along it.
Your Voice Matters
The City of Boulder is asking to hear from our community about the options it has developed for Iris Avenue as part of the city council-approved Core Arterial Network project directing them to make Iris Avenue safer for people outside of cars. If the city is to make progress towards its Vision Zero goal of no fatalities or serious injuries involving road traffic, it is important that we support an option that includes protected bike lanes and a reduction from 4 to 3 lanes of vehicular traffic. Your participation is crucial in shaping the outcome of this project to reflect our community's needs and desires. Here’s how you can get involved:
Attend the In-Person Open House: Mark your calendar for April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon at Columbine Elementary School (3130 Repplier St., Boulder, CO 80304). This event will be a perfect opportunity to view project details, speak directly with city planners and engineers, and express your support for safer, more efficient street configurations.
Participate in the Virtual Open House and Online Questionnaire: From April 27 through May 27, engage with the project online at your convenience. The virtual open house will provide detailed information about the proposed changes, and the online questionnaire will be your chance to voice your support and provide feedback from the comfort of your home.
Get Involved in Other Community Engagement Activities: If you cannot join the open house or would like to continue conversations with staff, you can attend one of the city's smaller activities in the neighborhood:
North Boulder Recreation Center: Tuesday, April 30, 4-6 p.m.
Columbine Park, next to Columbine Elementary School: Wednesday, May 8, 2:30-4 p.m.
Parkside Park: Thursday, May 16, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Let's Make a Difference Together
The Iris Avenue project is not just about road reconfiguration—it’s about building a community that values safety, sustainability, and accessibility. By participating in these community engagement events, you help ensure that the project outcomes align with our shared values and vision for Boulder’s future.
Join us in making Iris Avenue a safer, greener, and more welcoming corridor for everyone. Your support can drive significant change in how our community develops and how safe and enjoyable our streets are for everyone, whether they are walking, cycling, driving, or enjoying the cityscape. See you there!
- Mike Mills, Boulder Progressives Board Member
