Frequently Asked Questions

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

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.

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 member local governments. The association's policies, plans and recommendations are enacted by a council composed of elected officials from each of its member governments along with one representative each 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 50,000 population or more.

What is the NFRMPO region?

The NFRMPO covers about 675 square miles or 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, including Larimer and Weld Counties, Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland and the other smaller communities within the region.

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 estamated to be 730,000 by 2035.

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

Where does its funding come from?

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

What issues does NFRMPO address?

Through the NFRMPO, local governments work cooperatively on:

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 and the Federal Transit Administration to provide transportation improvements for congestion relief, transit, rail and other alternative modes (e.g. vanpooling, carpooling, telecommuting, etc.).

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