Douglas County seeks $12.9 million for roads, water projects

A tighter commute through Highlands Ranch, safer access at Happy Canyon and more room for Sedalia’s water and sewer system were all on Douglas County’s federal wish list as county leaders sought more than $12.9 million through Rep. Lauren Boebert’s office.

The April 15 request covered four projects: improvements to the Quebec Street and C-470 interchange, the Sedalia-Meadows Parkway expansion, upgrades to the Interstate 25 and Happy Canyon interchange, and the Sedalia Wastewater Collection Line. Douglas County said the Quebec Street and C-470 interchange carries more than 3 million vehicles a year, putting the project squarely in the path of daily traffic for Highlands Ranch drivers.

County leaders said the ask was part of the annual process local governments use to seek federal money through their congressional representatives. Board Chair George Teal said the projects reflected years of planning and collaboration, while Boebert’s office helped steer the county’s request into the federal pipeline. In practical terms, that support gives Douglas County a shot at competing for congressional funding, but it does not guarantee a dollar until lawmakers act on spending bills.

The stakes are immediate for residents in the county’s fastest-growing corridors. If funded, the Quebec Street and C-470 work could ease one of the busiest pinch points in the southwest metro area. The Sedalia-Meadows Parkway expansion would support traffic moving between Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock and surrounding neighborhoods. The I-25 and Happy Canyon upgrades would target safety and access problems around Castle Pines. The Sedalia Wastewater Collection Line would strengthen water infrastructure and support a new sewer system in Sedalia.

The April request also fit into a broader federal strategy that has already brought money back to the county. In May 2025, Boebert announced 15 Community Project Funding requests for fiscal year 2026, including $12 million for Douglas County projects. By January 2026, the county said $2.75 million had been approved for the Louviers Water & Sanitation District Drinking Water Distribution Replacement and the Plum Creek to Rueter-Hess Reservoir Pipeline. The Louviers project was described as replacing about 12,000 feet of aging galvanized steel pipe, 86 service lines and 15 fire hydrants, while the pipeline was expected to serve more than 200,000 residents once completed.

In February 2026, the county said another $500,000 had been approved for design work on the U.S. 85 widening between Sedalia and Castle Rock, a corridor county materials describe as essential to the National Highway System, an alternate route when crashes hit I-25 and a project advanced segment by segment with the Colorado Department of Transportation for about 20 years. Together, the new request and the earlier awards show Douglas County pressing Washington to help pay for the roads and water systems growth has already strained.