For daily commuters and residents between Sedalia and Castle Rock, the promise of a widened US-85 is becoming increasingly tangible. As reported by Douglas County, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee has taken a significant step by including a sum of $500,000 slated for the design of this widening project in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Bill. This long-awaited enhancement aims to address the persistent safety, capacity, and congestion problems troubling this section of the highway.
Despite achieving progress through collaboration with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the narrowed expanse known as the "gap" on Highway 85 continues to pose risks and delays to thousands of drivers. To support this improvement project, the allocated funding will also cover right-of-way adjustments and utility relocations. Commissioner Abe Laydon was quoted in a Douglas County Government press release, "Completing the widening of Highway 85 would be a huge step forward for the public safety and mobility of Douglas County residents."
Rep. Lauren Boebert played a pivotal role in advocating for these local improvements, announcing back in May the inclusion of funding requests for three major projects within her district. In addition to the highway expansion, the approved projects listed in Douglas County's announcement include a $1,750,000 investment in the Plum Creek to Rueter-Hess Reservoir Pipeline and an identical sum for the Louviers Water & Sanitation District Drinking Water Distribution Replacement.
With approximately 12,000 feet of obsolete galvanized steel pipe poised for replacement, not to mention 86 service lines and 15 fire hydrants, Louviers is on the brink of renewing a critical facet of its community infrastructure.
The commissioners of Douglas County have regularly engaged with the powers in Washington, D.C., this year with singular focus and efficacy, as documented by the substantial $18.5 million in non-redundant Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) and CPF requests spearheaded by Congresswoman Boebert and Colorado's Senators.
