Larimer County 2024 Transportation Survey

Magellan Strategies is pleased to present the topline results of an online survey of 3,567 Larimer County residents. The interviews were conducted from April 8th to April 21st, 2024.

Residents of Larimer County expressed generally positive but not overwhelming views of the County’s management of the transportation system, with a majority approving and about one-third disapproving. At the same time, residents identified a range of desired improvements, particularly focused on expanding bicycle infrastructure, improving road maintenance and safety, enhancing public transportation options, addressing traffic congestion, and increasing pedestrian safety. These themes reflected a broad desire for a more multimodal and safer transportation system that could better accommodate growth and changing travel needs.

Residents placed very high importance on core transportation priorities, especially improving roadway safety, maintaining roads and bridges, and improving intersections and signal timing. Large majorities also emphasized the importance of adding sidewalks, bike lanes, and expanding transit options. In terms of outcomes, residents most valued improvements that would enhance emergency response readiness, reduce congestion, and improve safety for all users, including vulnerable populations. These findings underscored a strong alignment around safety, reliability, and accessibility as key transportation goals.

Perceptions of current system performance were mixed. While a majority rated road conditions as good or excellent and said roads generally met their needs, many rated conditions as fair or poor. Residents were divided on whether the County had sufficient financial resources to maintain and improve infrastructure, and only half agreed that the County was fiscally responsible, with a sizable share unsure. Those who viewed the County positively cited effective road maintenance and responsible budgeting, while critics pointed to perceived inefficiencies, high taxes, and lack of transparency.

Concerns about future conditions were significant. Nearly eight in ten residents believed traffic congestion was increasing, and more residents said road safety was getting worse than improving. These trends reinforced the urgency around transportation investment and the need to address both capacity and safety challenges as the county continued to grow.

When presented with a proposed 0.15% sales tax increase dedicated to transportation improvements, initial support was strong, with a clear majority indicating they would vote to approve it. Support increased further as residents learned more about the scope of the county road system, existing funding limitations, and the gap between available funding and long-term infrastructure needs. Information about leveraging local funding to secure state and federal grants and the fact that visitors would share in paying the tax also significantly increased support.

In the final informed ballot test, support for the 0.15% sales tax increased further, reaching nearly two-thirds in favor. Supporters most often cited the need to improve safety and infrastructure, accommodate population growth, and share costs with visitors. Opponents focused on concerns about overall tax burden, skepticism about government spending efficiency, and broader cost-of-living pressures. When asked to choose, many voters remained undecided, indicating some lingering hesitation despite majority support.

A higher 0.25% sales tax option that would fund additional regional transportation improvements received more mixed support, with less than a majority in favor and higher opposition. Overall, the survey showed that residents recognized growing transportation challenges and were broadly supportive of targeted, modest funding solutions—particularly when tied to safety, infrastructure improvements, and leveraging outside funding—but remained sensitive to tax increases and concerned about accountability and affordability.