HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse Letter Regarding Traffic Reportkimley-horn.com 6200 South Syracuse Way Suite 300, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 303 228 2300
February 2, 2026
Mr. Tim Coltart
Harvest Roaring Fork, LLC
909 Lake Carolyn Parkway
Suite 150
Irving, Texas 75039
Re:Harvest Roaring Fork
Master Traffic Impact Study Cover Letter
Garfield County, Colorado
Dear Mr. Coltart:
This letter is provided to reiterate that the Harvest Roaring Fork Traffic Impact Study completed in
April 2025 utilized the published ITE Trip Generation Manual average trip-generation rates for
suburban areas to determine the amount of traffic generated by the residential uses. As a result, the
vehicle trip estimates are conservative and do not reflect reductions associated with the typical
multimodal travel that the Roaring Fork Valley relies upon, including use of the Roaring Fork
Transportation Authority (RFTA) system and the Rio Grande Trail.
A review of existing multimodal facilities and travel behavior in the region indicates that the
development is uniquely positioned to rely on non-automobile modes. The Rio Grande Trail runs
directly through the project site, providing a continuous 42-mile multimodal corridor used year-round
by pedestrians and cyclists. Additionally, RFTA provides frequent commuter bus service along SH-82,
with stops accessible directly from the site via the trail. Census data for surrounding communities
demonstrates that approximately 7 to 18 percent of commuters already walk, bike, or use transit in
nearby communities such as Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.
Applying Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) multimodal trip-generation rates appropriate for a
dense, transit-oriented location—consistent with local travel patterns—indicates that at least 200 peak
hour trips from the proposed residential units are expected to occur by transit, walking, or biking.
These findings are further supported by observed ridership at nearby developments, such as Willits
Town Center, which demonstrates significant transit mode share and suggests multimodal demand in
the valley.
Therefore, the original traffic study is conservative with respect to vehicular trip generation for the
proposed development. Although the vehicular estimates were accepted by the Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT), the vehicle trips are likely to be lower due to the availability and frequent
use of the Rio Grande Trail and the RFTA bus system.
If you have any questions or require anything further, please feel free to call me at (720) 738-3435.
Sincerely,
KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
Mary Gormley, P.E., PTOE, RSP1
Project Manager