Agenda Date: 09/08/2026
Subject:
Title
Safer Streets Update
Body
|
From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
|
Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
|
|
Kenna Davis, Senior Transportation Planner |
|
Presentations: |
Aaron Heumann, Transportation Engineering Manager |
|
|
Kenna Davis, Senior Transportation Planner |
|
|
Kyle Morris, Transportation Engineer |
|
|
Emily Kleinfelter, Senior Transportation Planner |
PURPOSE:
This presentation will provide an update of the Safer Streets Littleton program and discuss the progress of 2026 actions.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community
DISCUSSION:
Safer Streets Littleton is how the city approaches safety systemically while implementing tangible actions. The program is led by the City’s Transportation Team, which works collaboratively with other city departments, including the City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Communications, the Littleton Police Department, and other disciplines in Public Works, to ensure a holistic approach to street safety. The program is guided by the following focus areas: Resources and Collaboration, Culture Change, Data-Driven Decision-Making, and People-First Streets. The purpose of this agenda item is to provide an update on the 2026 program work tasks, including:
• Resources and Collaboration: Implementation of the Strategic Plan, publication of the 2025 Report Card, integration into the City’s project-management system, expanded communications, continued partnerships, and management of the 2026 program budget.
• Culture Change: Eleven free Learn to Ride and bicycle-safety classes, e-bike safety programming, Bike to Work Day, and Move to School Day activities.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Development of a standardized data-collection protocol, analysis of 2021-2025 crash data, development of reporting tools, and continued administration of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. The program has received 436 requests, representing 166 eligible locations.
• People-First Streets: An 11-location traffic-calming pilot package, completion of the second phase of Euclid Avenue reconstruction, expansion of protected bicycle facilities, coordination with pavement and water-resources projects, and advancement of the Elati Street Corridor Study.
• 2027 Work Plan: Staff will also present the proposed 2027 work plan and explain how Safer Streets Littleton will transition into the Transportation Master Plan update.
BACKGROUND:
Safer Streets Littleton started in 2024 as a response to both a community tragedy and growing resident desire for mobility choice. The program focuses on increasing neighborhood safety and mobility, informed by both resident engagement and data analysis. Safer Streets Littleton takes a multifaceted approach to advancing safety through citywide planning, improvement installations, focused corridor studies, and education & outreach.
Throughout Safer Streets Littleton’s first year, the program was refined and expanded to meet the needs of the community. This included the continuation of infrastructure projects, expanded communications and education campaigns, and focusing on safety culture change throughout the community. In 2025, City Council allocated $1.0 million to the second year of the program. During 2025, the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program <https://www.littletonco.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works-Engineering/Safer-Streets-Littleton/Neighborhood-Traffic-Calming-Program> was further standardized through the development of a data driven scoring process and public-facing dashboard. Additionally, staff acknowledged the need for a Strategic Plan to guide the program over the next two to five years, with the intent to support and outline a sustainable program. The Strategic Plan evolved throughout 2025 to accommodate staff workloads, City Council and strategic priorities, and program refinement through the planning process. The Strategic Plan <https://www.littletonco.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/public-works/projects-docs-and-images/safer-streets/safer-streets-strategic-plan-2026.pdf> was refined to outline achievable workloads over the next two years (2026-2027) while Safer Streets is integrated into the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update, underway in Fall 2026 with adoption in 2028. The TMP will guide the priorities and strategies to further the goals of the Safer Streets Littleton program for 2028 and beyond. More information about the work conducted in 2025 can be found in the 2025 Report Card <https://www.littletonco.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/public-works/projects-docs-and-images/safer-streets/ssl_2025-report-card.pdf>.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Council adopted the Transportation Master Plan in 2019 and Public Works updated Council on Pedestrian and Bicycle plans November 28, 2023.
• Staff provided a presentation regarding Pedestrian and Bicycle Planning Update and Timeline Alternative Considerations on February 6, 2024.
• As a result of the February 6, 2024, study session, staff was directed to move forward with the recommended accelerated alternatives to include several bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements.
• Ordinance 05-2024 was approved on March 19, 2024, amending the 2024 Annual Budget to appropriate $2,300,000 from the 3A Sales Tax Capital Fund to fund the accelerated projects for 2024.
• A joint Council meeting with the Transportation Mobility Board was held on August 13, 2024, focused on vision zero mobility policies.
• On September 17, 2024, staff shared the draft school zone recommendations.
• The Safer Streets team presented an update on the overall progress related to Safer Streets Littleton to City Council on October 15, 2024.
• The Safer Streets team presented an update on the 2025 workplan related to Safer Streets Littleton to City Council on February 25, 2025 and August 12, 2025.
• Staff transmitted four important deliverables to City Council on April 28, 2026:
o Safer Streets Littleton Strategic Plan
o 2025 Report Card
o Road Safety Report, Crash Facts, and Annual Crash Snapshot
o Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Brochure
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Safer Streets Littleton has a 2026 program budget of $1.0 million. Funding supports traffic-calming pilot projects, protected bicycle lanes, upgraded pavement markings, staffing, data-collection tools, consultant services, educational programming, and maintenance equipment and services. No additional appropriation is requested as part of this study session. Future work identified for 2027 remains subject to the upcoming budget approval, with an anticipated 2027 budget of $1.0 million.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommend the continuation of the Safer Streets Littleton program that includes collaboration with partner agencies and providing the necessary resources for a sustainable program, efforts to infuse a culture change around safety, continuing to make data-driven decisions, and the implementation of people-first street infrastructure.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A