On May 15, Representative Lauren Boebert announced her submission of 15 Community Project Funding requests for the Fiscal Year 2026, totaling $12 million, focused on infrastructure improvements in Douglas County. These requests include critical projects such as the construction of the Plum Creek to Rueter-Hess Reservoir Pipeline, the replacement of the Louviers Water & Sanitation District Drinking Water Distribution system, and the widening of US Highway 85, as reported by Douglas County.
Emphasizing the importance of these projects, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, after having met with federal policymakers in Washington D.C., pushed these infrastructure upgrades to the top of their priority list. Among the pitched improvements by Representative Boebert, the widening of US Highway 85 is particularly pivotal for not only national defense but also for accommodating local traffic, serving as an alternative route to I-25 crashes, and for tourist access to neighboring corridors.
The last segment of US 85 awaiting expansion between Sedalia and Castle Rock currently faces several safety and operational challenges, in addition to capacity constraints leading to potential traffic woes. Long plagued by underfunding, the push for this expansion represents the county's continuous struggle with the state over the last 20 years, which has seen incremental improvements but still awaits the completion of this crucial stretch, "These infrastructure projects aren’t just about fixing roads and bridges — they are central to building a better future for our families and businesses," said Commissioner George Teal, as obtained by Douglas County.
