FHU experts ready to clear the air on Colorado’s transportation emissions reduction rules

New emission regulations are in the air, but our clients can breathe easy.
FHU is helping communities navigate the new rules and optimize their Federal and State funding opportunities.

Colorado’s ambitious emissions reduction goals have transformed the regulatory environment in transportation. Recent funding programs and new state priorities are driving opportunities to build toward a cleaner transportation system—but a thorough understanding of the recent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission rules and regulations will be necessary for agencies to bring their transportation projects into compliance and into the future.

Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU) has done the studying so that we can pass along our knowledge and expertise to our clients.

Not only is FHU at the forefront of GHG modeling and emissions mitigation, but we continue to work on these issues in close partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). In collaboration with CDOT, FHU’s team completed MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) modeling for CDOT’s first-ever GHG Transportation Report in 2022, developed Colorado’s Transit Zero Emission Vehicle Roadmap and Transit Emissions Dashboard in 2021, and incorporated ongoing GHG updates in CDOT’s NEPA Manual and 1601 Process.

FHU’s team can support agencies where they are, whether urban or rural, with early thinking, strategy, planning and implementation. With so much in flux regarding GHG regulation, it is critical to stay in-the-know for cities and organizations seeking to meet these new air quality goals.

How Do These New Regulations Affect My Project?

(1) Funding is prioritizing greener projects.

The GHG Planning Standard (2 Code of Colorado Regulations 601-22) established a mechanism to redirect funding to projects that demonstrate GHG emission reductions and restrict funding for capacity projects that increase vehicle miles traveled and GHGs. If GHG reduction targets are not met, the use of certain funds can be restricted.

Between these prioritizations and new funding sources such as the Clean Transit Enterprise, transportation funds are going green. Project sponsors must evaluate the GHG emissions associated with their projects and strategize how to reduce these emissions.

FHU knows how to secure these new funds through program guidance and ensure projects meet funding standards.

(2) CDOT oversight will include GHG considerations.

Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Pollution Reduction Roadmap identifies several transportation strategies, including the transportation planning process that defines how future transportation projects are selected. Signed in June 2021, the state transportation funding bill Sustainability of the Transportation System (Senate Bill 21-260) directed CDOT to develop rules for the state and MPOs to reduce surface transportation GHG emissions through transportation planning processes. Those directives are now codified in Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) § 43-1-128.

With FHU’s assistance, CDOT is updating NEPA and 1601 processes for air quality and new interchanges, respectively. These updated processes “will become a consistent expectation in project reviews moving forward.” In other words, projects involving CDOT oversight will be subject to GHG considerations.

Because of our role in crafting the updates, FHU is primed to help agencies navigate CDOT standards.

(3) Travel demand models and the EPA's MOVES model will be used to quantify GHG emissions.

CDOT and Colorado’s five metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) are now required to maintain long-term plans to meet GHG reduction targets established in the GHG Planning Standard. Relating to that goal, agencies are required to use travel demand models and the EPA’s MOVES model to quantify GHG emissions from regionally significant projects.

GHG Mitigation Measures (CDOT Policy Directive 1610) were established to quantify GHG emissions for measures that cannot be accurately modeled in travel demand models. CDOT and MPOs may voluntarily use the established GHG mitigation measures to demonstrate compliance, if GHG reduction targets are not demonstrated through travel demand models alone.

FHU is supporting developing projects that address community mobility needs while reducing emissions and optimizing funding potential.

What Can FHU Do for My Project?

While the State of Colorado champions rulemaking for GHG compliance in transportation planning, FHU is focused on helping agencies and communities deliver integrated multimodal projects that power a resilient mobility future. We are integrating GHG and criteria pollutant emissions rules, policies and evaluation into our services, and we are identifying best practices and funding opportunities for programs. The following are our leading experts in these services.

Jake Fritz, GISP
Air Quality & Noise Specialist

Jodie Snyder, LEED AP
NEPA and Air Quality Specialist

Adam Behmer, CE
NEPA and Noise Resources Specialist

Air Quality

GHG