Traffic Engineering and Programs

Deer Crossing Signs

The county will consider installing deer crossing signs when five or more vehicle-deer crashes are reported to the Colorado State Patrol at a location within one year.

Roadside Memorial Signs

Jefferson County will install memorial signs in honor of victims of fatal crashes based on the following criteria:

• Memorial signs may be erected to commemorate victims of fatal crashes occurring after May 20, 2004.
• The sign must be requested by the victim’s immediate family or sponsor with the consent of the victim’s family.
• The county will install and maintain the sign for six years. After this time, the sign will be removed and donated to the victim’s family or sponsor.
• Memorial signs will not be erected for deceased drivers involved in fatal crashes whose toxicology reports show a violation of Colorado DUI laws, unless the immediate family of any other victim(s) killed in the crash grant permission.

Complete and return the Roadside Memorial Sign Application (PDF) to request a memorial sign from Jefferson County.

Pedestrian Crossings

Both pedestrians and motorists have rights and responsibilities on the roadway.

• Pedestrians must obey signals and yield to motorists if not crossing at an intersection or a crosswalk.
• Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and when crossing at intersections.
• Crosswalks may be marked or unmarked. They exist at all controlled intersections and may only be established by markings at non-intersection locations.
• Not all locations are safe for pedestrians to cross due to traffic volumes, speed limits, sight distances, etc.

An engineering study must be conducted before installing a marked crosswalk.

See Pedestrian Crosswalks and Pedestrian Signals brochures at the Colorado Department of Transportation website.

Permit Parking

Permit parking only areas have been established in Jefferson County, mostly near high schools or recreational parks where spillover parking impacts the neighborhood. If you live in a permit parking area, parking stickers can be obtained from the homeowners’ association or other neighborhood representative. 

See Operation and Parking of Vehicles Ordinance (3.4.3., Section K) on the County Manager's Regulations webpage under the heading "Motor Vehicle."

If a vehicle is parked illegally in a permit parking area, please call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 303-980-7300.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are circular intersections designed to slow traffic while reducing delays. They feature central islands around which traffic circulates in a counterclockwise motion.  

Benefits of Roundabouts

• Fewer Crashes - Roundabouts encourage slower speeds and calmer traffic. Accidents tend to be less severe with fewer injuries than at signalized intersections.
• Less Delay - Motorists are only required to stop when there is conflicting traffic or pedestrians. Higher traffic flow quickens commutes.

See Rules of the Roundabout (PDF)

Speed Bumps

See the Speed Bump Policy (8.1.1)  on the County Manager’s Streets and Roads webpage under the heading "Programs."

Request New Speed Bumps

• Contact Jefferson County Transportation and Engineering to evaluate the location and determine the petition area.
• Submit a petition to the county.  For installation to be considered:
  • The petition must be signed by 90% of the residents within the petition area.
  • Seventy-five percent of the petitioned residents must sign in support of the proposed speed bump.
  • Only one signature per household will be considered.
• Speed bumps will be financed on a 50-50 cost-sharing basis between residents and Jefferson County.

Request Speed Bump Removal

• Contact Jefferson County Transportation and Engineering to evaluate the location and determine the petition area.
• Submit a petition to the county.  For removal to be considered:
  • At least 75% of the property owners or residents within the evaluation area must agree that removal of a speed bump will not significantly affect the safety and welfare of residents.

Speed Limits

In Colorado, for roads that are not posted, speed limits are:

• 20 mph on narrow, winding mountain roads
• 25 mph in business districts
• 30 mph in residential districts
• 40 mph on open mountain highways            

Speed limits should not be set higher or lower than these limits unless a traffic study has been performed to justify the change. The study includes an analysis of roadway conditions, accident records, traffic speed counts. A safe and reasonable limit is established at or below the speed at which 85% of drivers travel.

See "Establishing Realistic Speed Limits" on the Colorado Department of Transportation website.

Speed Limit Violations

Report neighborhood speeding problems to the Jefferson Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit at 303-271-KOPS (5677).

Stop Signs

The purpose of a stop sign is to assign right of way at an intersection or where traffic is required to stop. Stop signs are installed at intersections when an engineering evaluation indicates the installation is appropriate. They are installed where:

• minor streets enter major streets
• streets enter highways
• restricted view and accident history indicates a need

Federal and state regulations require the installation of stop signs to follow guidelines in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  See the MUTCD website.

Street Lighting

Report Street Light Concerns

Report street light concerns to the power company that serves your neighborhood.

• Contact Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-4999 or use the online Outdoor Lighting Outage or Repair Form.
• Contact Intermountain Rural Electric Association (IREA) at 303-688-3100.

New Street Lights

Jefferson County will consider installing street lights, where none exist, on roadways with a classification of Major Collector, Minor Arterial or Principal Arterial. These roads are shown on the Major Thoroughfare Plan.

The county only installs street lights at intersections to improve traffic safety.  Locations will be evaluated based on criteria, such as:

• traffic volumes
• roadway speed
• crash history

Locations that receive a high rating will be placed on a priority list. Installation will occur as funding becomes available.

For residential streets, individuals or homeowners’ associations (HOA) can contact the power company directly to request a new light. Installation and electricity will be billed to the individual or HOA.

Traffic Noise

Jefferson County does not build noise walls next to roadways.  However, a fence or earthen berm may be requested on roadways, where none exist, with a functional classification of Major Collector, Minor Arterial or Principal Arterial. These roads are shown on the Major Thoroughfare Plan.  

See Noise Barriers Policy (8.1.2) on the County Manager’s Streets and Roads webpage under the heading "Programs."

Traffic Signals

Report a Traffic Signal Concern

To report a traffic signal concern within unincorporated Jefferson County during business hours, contact the Jefferson County Transportation and Engineering Division at 303-271-8495.

After hours, please call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 303-980-7300.

New Traffic Signals

The county must perform an engineering study to determine whether new traffic signals are warranted based on traffic volumes, speeds and available “gaps” in traffic for turning vehicles. Specifications for traffic signals are in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  See the MUTCD website.  A new traffic signal costs between $150,000 and $300,000, so its installation must be considered carefully.

To learn more about traffic signals, see Frequently Asked Questions.