Douglas County approves $2 million Castle Rock Link On Demand expansion

Douglas County commissioners approved a $1,991,720 agreement Tuesday to expand Link On Demand into Castle Rock, setting up a one-year pilot that will extend the county’s free microtransit network into the county seat later this summer. The deal gives River North Transit LLC, a Via Transportation subsidiary, responsibility for the vehicles, drivers, technology, customer service and operating support behind the service.

The Castle Rock pilot will cover the entire town along with some unincorporated Douglas County areas, and it will connect with the existing Lone Tree service area. Riders will be able to book trips by smartphone app, website or phone line. During the pilot, fares will stay free.

The service will improve access to jobs, healthcare, shopping and local businesses, and earlier expansions were designed to help older adults, students, people with mobility issues and residents without regular access to a personal vehicle.

The Castle Rock service is scheduled to run Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays until 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will not run on Sundays or major holidays, matching the broader Link On Demand model already operating in other parts of the county.

The pilot will be financed through a three-way split. The Colorado Department of Transportation is contributing $1.125 million, Castle Rock is providing $400,000 and Douglas County is putting up $466,720 from Road and Bridge Sales and Use Tax revenue designated for transit and mobility.

Douglas County launched Link On Demand in Highlands Ranch on May 27, 2025, after starting the program in Lone Tree, and later expanded it into Stonegate and select areas of Parker on April 8, 2026. The Highlands Ranch rollout generated about 72,000 trips and earned a 4.9 out of 5 rider rating. Link On Demand had surpassed 125,000 trips across Douglas County.