Frequently Asked Questions

What is the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO)? Is it another layer of government?

The NFRMPO is not a government per se. It is an "association of local governments" that plays an important role in selecting transportation projects to receive state and federal transportation funding in the North Front Range.

The NFRMPO does not have statutory authority to tax, issue bonds, or legislate. The organization provides funding for transportation projects, as well as regional transportation planning, air quality planning, and other services of value to its local member governments. The association's policies, plans and recommendations are enacted by a council (the Planning Council) composed of elected officials from each of its member governments along with one representative from both the State Transportation Commission and the Air Quality Control Commission. 

There are 385 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in the United States. An MPO is required by the federal government in all urban areas with a population of 50,000 or more.

What is the NFRMPO region?

The NFRMPO covers about 675 square miles in Northern Colorado which is about the size of Houston, Texas. It stretches from Berthoud to just north of Fort Collins, from the Foothills to just east of Greeley. There are 15 member governments in the NFRMPO- Berthoud, Eaton, Evans, Fort Collins, Garden City, Greeley, Johnstown, La Salle, Loveland, Milliken, Severance, Timnath, Windsor, Unincorporated Larimer County, and Unincorporated Weld County.

What is the NFRMPO area's population?

In 2005, there were 167,000 households in the North Front Range. That number is expected to increase by 74% to 290,600 households by 2035. The population in the North Front Range in 2005 was 440,000 and it is estimated to be 730,000 by 2035.

This rapid population increase is one reason why long-range transportation and air quality planning are necessary.

Where does the NFRMPO's funding come from?

 Funding to operate the MPO comes from the federal and local governments. The money awarded to the NFRMPO for transportation projects comes from state and federal sources. Matching funds for these awards come from  sponsoring local governments.

Which issues does the NFRMPO address?

Through the NFRMPO, local member governments work cooperatively on many tasks, including the following:

How does the NFRMPO work with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)?

The NFRMPO works closely with CDOT Region 4, located in Greeley, to provide transportation improvements to the state highway system. Locally elected officials from the member governments prioritize CDOT Region 4’s funding for specific projects in the North Front Range. In this way, local governments provide guidance to CDOT regarding how federal and state funding will be directed in this region. NFRMPO also works with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to provide transportation improvements for congestion relief, transit, rail, and other alternative modes (i.e.. vanpooling, carpooling, telecommuting, etc.).

Please refer to the CDOT Operating Manual for MPO Transportation Planning to learn how the NFRMPO and CDOT coordinate their metropolitan transportation planning responsibilities.