Douglas County commissioners approve $3.54 million for Link on Demand service
The agreements fund service in Highlands Ranch and Parker through July 2027; staff said an expansion into Sterling Ranch and Roxborough was on track to begin later in November.
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Douglas County commissioners approved two Link on Demand agreements totaling $3,542,756.96 on Nov. 3, covering service in Highlands Ranch and Parker through July 31, 2027, in a board vote.
The agreements allocate $2,375,059.60 to Highlands Ranch and $1,167,697.36 to Parker. The Highlands Ranch zone covers about 41 square miles, and Parker’s covers about 30.7 square miles; Parker’s service area will remain unchanged during the pilot’s first year. Service is scheduled 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 pay no fare under the terms, though the fare can change by mutual agreement, the county’s agreement materials say.
Douglas County is providing $2,742,756.96, about 77.4% of the total. The Regional Transportation District is providing $400,000, about 11.3%; the Town of Parker, $250,000, about 7.1%; and the Colorado Department of Transportation, $150,000, about 4.2%. The county’s contribution comes from Road and Bridge sales and use tax funds budgeted for transit and mobility programs.
The Highlands Ranch service area is set to extend into Sterling Ranch and Roxborough. Staff said the board directed the expansion at a Sept. 22 work session and that it was on track to begin later in November. Staff estimated the expansion would cost $500,000 annually.
The agreement forms say the existing contract continues until both new agreements are fully executed or Nov. 1, whichever is later. If the agreements are fully executed after Nov. 1, that execution date becomes the transition date. The forms also state that the agreements are not binding on the county until county signatories execute them.