Colorado transit facility expansion addresses growing population and ridership needs

Work recently concluded on the $68 million Glenwood Springs Maintenance Facility (GMF) for the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), the second-largest transit agency in Colorado and the largest rural transit system in the U.S.

The expanded facility now provides indoor heated storage for 60 buses and a 9,000 sf second level operations space with a dispatch suite, reception area for visitors, drivers’ room, office space, and locker rooms.

Previously, buses were stored outdoors, resulting in additional operational costs, especially during the winter months, and the operational support spaces were too small to accommodate RFTA’s fleet growth and the increased number of staff.

The project included an additional fuel-and-wash lane for the existing facility. The design of the structure reflects a thoughtful integration of functionality, sustainability, and user experience through natural lighting and climate-controlled spaces, while blending the exterior into the colors of the surrounding mountains. The facility includes four battery electric bus charging stations and was designed to accommodate expansion to hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.

Site improvements were designed and built to address the mountainous terrain and operational needs of the transit system. The project included construction of substantial retaining walls to stabilize steep topography and create level surfaces for bus circulation and parking. Landscaping was designed to blend the facility into its natural surroundings, enhance visual appeal, and support environmental sustainability goals.

Addressing operational deficiencies, the expanded facility accommodates public transportation needs, including growth in population and ridership demand, while contributing to the RFTA’s transition to zero-emission buses. RFTA’s regional network spans about 70 miles, serving communities from Aspen to Rifle. This project supports transit needs in Glenwood Springs and the greater Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valley in western Colorado.

The facility provides RFTA with the capacity to expand bus rapid transit (BRT) and regional services along the I-70 corridor, complementing the existing VelociRFTA BRT service between Glenwood Springs and Aspen.

Owner: Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
Design architect: Stantec
Architect of record: Stantec
MEP engineer: Stantec
Structural engineer: SGM
Design Builder: Saunders Construction