Infrastructure & Transportation
Infrastructure & Transportation
Where the Rubber Meets the Roads, Runways and Rails
Located only one hour from the state’s vibrant capital, yet surrounded by quiet open spaces at the foot of the Rockies, getting to, from and around Northern Colorado is as efficient as it is scenic. The region’s accessibility to major highways, railways and airports makes it easy to connect with Metro Denver to the south, Cheyenne, WY to the north, and countless destinations beyond.
Air
Denver International Airport
Ranked the 15th-busiest airport in the world and fifth-busiest airport in the country, Denver International Airport (DIA) is only a one hour drive away, with nonstop service to destinations throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. The airport sees an average of 146,000 passengers daily.
Northern Colorado Regional Airport
Approximately 54,000 visitors arrive in Colorado annually by way of the Northern Colorado Regional Airport. In addition to select commercial services, the airport supports a wide range of general aviation businesses, including fuel sales, maintenance, flight instruction and corporate services.
Greeley-Weld County Airport
Approximately 23,000 visitors arrive through the Greeley-Weld County Airport annually, and it is one of the state’s fastest-growing general aviation facilities. In addition to its full-service jet center, it also offers aviation services such as flight training, aircraft rental and maintenance.
Highways
Northern Colorado benefits from a well-positioned highway infrastructure. Interstate 25, which runs north through the center of the state, serves as the main thoroughfare between Denver and the communities to the north, intersecting with Interstate 80 in Cheyenne. Highway 34 serves the east-to-west juncture from Greeley to Estes Park, while Highway 287 through Fort Collins and Highway 85 through Greeley offer additional routes for commuters to reach their destinations.
Rail
Rail is an essential and long-standing part of Northern Colorado’s transportation infrastructure. Serving the region’s communities since the 18th century, Northern Colorado’s two major railways, Union Pacific and BNSF, provide services to a wide range of industries and businesses.
The Great Western Railway of Colorado, Northern Colorado’s regional railway, operates 80 miles of track, serving the Great Western Industrial Park in Windsor daily, as well as Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley. It also interchanges with the Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Originally developed to serve sugar beet companies in 1901, The Great Western Railway of Colorado now provides rail access to large corporations like Anheuser-Busch, Vestas and Owens-Illinois.
Regional
From DIA, Denver and Boulder to Fort Collins and everywhere in between, regional transit routes make Northern Colorado communities accessible with reliable service.