Traveling to Boulder

 

Boulder is a city of 100,000 people, lies at an elevation of 5,400 feet (1650 meters), and is located thirty miles northwest of Denver. It's just under an hour's drive from Denver International Airport, known here as DIA, though its airport code is DEN. Denver International Airport is a major airline hub and the fourth busiest airport in the United States.





















You can get to Boulder from DIA either by car, shuttle, or bus.


By rental car from Denver International Airport:















The drive from the airport to Boulder is relatively simple. There are two good options: ROUTE A (E-470) - a more northern toll route (around 45 minutes) and

ROUTE B - a more southern free route (usually 50-60 minutes).


Travel times assume no unusual traffic. The E-470 toll route from DIA to Boulder is generally much more predictable, typically has considerably less traffic and is a bit more scenic.  But you cannot pay cash on E-470; its done entirely electronically using toll tags and registered license plates.  There are three tolls on the DIA to Boulder route with each costing $2 - $3.  Note: This is in addition to the extra daily rate the car rental agencies charge for the service.


So, if you don’t mind spending extra for the car rental for a easier and fast drive to Boulder, Route A is the way to go. However, the free route is often about just as fast outside of rush hours.


Note: Daily toll tag rates for use on E-470 vary among car rental agencies. Check out the E-470 website at:

http://www.e-470.com/Default.aspx?pn=Rental%20Car%20Information


Route A: The E-470 toll road connects the airport access road (Pena Blvd.)

just at the very edge of the airport. The entrance ramp to E-470 comes up VERY quickly (~0.5 miles) so be very alert when you leave the airport or car rental area.  E-470 takes you right to US 36 (the Boulder-Denver turnpike) at 96th Street.

Note: For the last few miles E-470 is called the “NW Parkway”.


While this route is only a few miles shorter and costs more, it can save a lot of time during rush hour, especially when heading back to the airport.


To use E-470 to return to the airport, take US 36 (aka 28th Street) out of Boulder towards Denver and exit at 96th Street. The exit is marked: NW Parkway and

StorageTek Drive/ Interlocken Loop”. Turn LEFT at the light at the end of the ramp onto 96th Street (=> NW Parkway). This will take you right to the Denver Airport (DIA) via an exit onto Pena Blvd. Note: From US 36 to DIA is about 32 miles.


Route B: This is the free route that is often nearly as fast as the E-470 route outside of rush hours.


From the airport, the main exit road is Pena Boulevard and goes towards Denver.

After about 9 miles, follow signs to go west on I-70. After about 5 miles on I-70, take exit 279 on the right onto I-270 (not very clear on the map). Continue past I-25, where magically I-270 becomes US 36. On entering Boulder, US 36 turns north and becomes 28th Street, the main commercial thoroughfare.


Take the same route to return to the airport, starting with 28th Street (US 36) going back toward Denver. About 20 miles out from Boulder, watch the signs carefully around I-25, I-76, and I-270. You will want to continue straight onto I-270, which will then merge into I-70 (avoiding the I-225 exit), then (after 3.5 miles) turn off onto Pena Blvd. which is the main access road to the Denver (DIA) airport.


Shuttle between Denver Airport and Boulder:

For participants who are not renting a car at the airport in Denver, there is a shuttle service called the BoulderSuperShuttle that runs between the Denver International Airport (DIA) and Boulder. It makes stops at various Boulder hotels and other sites for a one-way cost of $27.00, and $50.00 for round-trip. For a higher fees ($33 one-way and $62 RT), the shuttle will take you to any address you request, even if it is not on their list of regularly scheduled stops. The shuttle bus typically runs from DIA once every hour at 10 minutes after the hour. There is no need to make advanced reservation when you come to Denver- just stop by their desk at the DIA (west side, across from the fountains) and purchase a ticket. If you need a pick-up from Boulder and vicinity, call them directly. Their phone number is 303-227-0000. Their website is:

http://www.yellowtrans.com/supershuttle/fram/reservations.htm


By bus from the airport:

The Regional Transportation District's (RTD) bus “AB” service (SkyRide) leaves approximately twenty minutes past each hour. For a detailed schedule, check the RTD website, and follow the links to SkyRide, AB (W-Bound means Airport to Boulder; why can't they just SAY it?). SkyRide buses leave DIA from level 5 -the same level where you pick up your bags. You can board skyRide at one of two locations: lane 3 outside door 506 at the West Terminal or lane 5 outside door 511 at the East Terminal. Just look for the SkyRide sign and RTD shelter. Fare to Boulder is $12, and it takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to get to the downtown terminal at 14th and Walnut streets, walking distance to downtown hotels and B&B's. From there, you can get a cab to anywhere in town (Yellow Cab: 303-777-7777).