Douglas County staff seeks $3.54 million for Link service expansion
The proposed agreements would add Sterling Ranch and Roxborough to the Highlands Ranch zone, keep Parker’s service area unchanged in the pilot’s first year and charge riders no fare.
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Douglas County staff is asking county commissioners to approve two agreements totaling $3,542,756.96 to operate Link on-demand rideshare service through July 31, 2027. The proposal would expand the Highlands Ranch service zone into Sterling Ranch and Roxborough while leaving Parker’s service area unchanged during the pilot’s first year, the staff report says.
The proposed agreements allocate $2,375,059.60 to Highlands Ranch and $1,167,697.36 to Parker. The Highlands Ranch zone would cover about 41 square miles; Parker’s zone would cover about 30.7 square miles. Service would run Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Riders would pay no fare under the proposed terms, though the fare could change by mutual agreement. Douglas County would provide $2,742,756.96, about 77.4% of the total; the Regional Transportation District would provide $400,000, 11.3%; the Town of Parker, $250,000, 7.1%; and the Colorado Department of Transportation, $150,000, 4.2%. The county’s share would come from Road and Bridge sales and use tax funds budgeted for transit and mobility programs.
The agreements would replace the existing public-service contract once both are fully signed. The proposed transition date is Nov. 1, 2026, or a later date if both agreements are signed after then; the proposed term would end July 31, 2027.