Eldorado Canyon State Park (“the Park”) is one of the most popular recreation destinations in Boulder County. However, this popularity has often overwhelmed the Park’s parking capacity, leading to traffic congestion, blocked access for emergency vehicles, illegal parking outside the Park, and other undesirable impacts. In response, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) has completed a Visitor Use Management Plan for the Park which recommended several access management strategies to provide visitors a more consistent experience and ensure reliable access for park staff, emergency responders, visitors, residents and others.
One of these access management strategies is a seasonal shuttle (the “Eldo Shuttle”) between the City of Boulder and the Park. Since 2020, Boulder County has contracted for the Eldo Shuttle service in partnership with CPW and the City of Boulder. In its first five years, the Shuttle saw average daily ridership between 100 and 200 boardings per day.
With the Shuttle entering its sixth year of service, the County is soliciting bids from qualified operators to provide a turn-key shuttle service.
Contractor shall coordinate, manage, and control all necessary program activities pertaining to operation of the Shuttle, which shall include: provide and maintain all vehicles, provide vehicle operators and all project personnel, train personnel as necessary, develop administrative procedures, compile financial and non-financial records, route scheduling, develop methods to improve effectiveness and maximize service efficiency and provide all equipment and services required for operation of the Shuttle unless specifically identified to be contributed by Boulder County in this RFP. Contractor must have all applicable state and local business licenses prior to the start of service.
The County will provide access to stops, signage, and marketing and public communications for the Shuttle.
The County will enter into a Contractor with the successful proposer for an up to five year contract period, covering the 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 Shuttle seasons.
