Speeding on residential streets is a common traffic concern in municipalities, including in Westminster. The goals of Westminster’s Traffic Calming Policy are to address traffic safety, preserve neighborhood character and livability, and engage residents through public involvement.

In April 2025, the Westminster Traffic Calming Policy was updated to reflect changes in industry practice for traffic calming and incorporate more public involvement into the process. If a resident or HOA believes there is a traffic issue that may be addressed through traffic calming, they are encouraged to submit a traffic calming request form that is at the end of the Traffic Calming Policy. Completed forms may be submitted to the Engineering Division through one of the methods below:

Mailing Address:

Traffic Calming Request
6575 W. 88th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
Attn: City of Westminster Engineering Division

or

Email: traffic@westminsterco.gov

A traffic control device is a sign, signal, or pavement marking used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic placed by the authority of a public agency having jurisdiction. To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements:

1. Fulfill a need;
2. Command attention;
3. Convey a clear, simple meaning;
4. Command respect from road users; and
5. Give adequate time for proper response.

The legal and engineering requirements for traffic control devices are specified in the Model Traffic Code for Colorado, Colorado Revised Statutes, City of Westminster Code of Ordinances and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD provides established criteria for signs, traffic signals, and pavement markings. The decision to use a device should be made on the basis of either an engineering study or the application of engineering judgment.

Traffic Signals

The purpose of a traffic signal is to provide safe and efficient movements for all roadway users through an intersection. Traffic signals assign the right-of-way to the various traffic movements for all modes of transportation, including vehicles, buses, pedestrians, and bicycles. Westminster currently maintains and operates over 100 traffic signals on city and state roadways within the city limits. CDOT maintains and operates the traffic signals on Wadsworth Parkway, 120^th Avenue, and Federal Boulevard. Traffic signal concerns on these roadways can be submitted to CDOT online.

Transportation engineers and technicians are responsible for the design, operation, and maintenance of all traffic signal equipment on Westminster streets. The city follows the Manual on Uniform Control Devices (MUTCD) to complete an engineering study to determine if a particular location warrants a traffic signal. It is important to note that the satisfaction of a traffic signal warrant or warrants shall not in itself require the installation of a traffic control signal. Traffic signals require a large capital investment and can take a significant time to evaluate, fund, design, and construct.

Stop Signs

A stop sign is an effective traffic control device when used at the proper place under appropriate conditions. A stop sign is used at an intersection to assist drivers and pedestrians in determining who has the right-of-way. All-way stop signs are used at intersections when traffic volumes on all approaches are approximately equal and at intersections where safety is a concern.

All-way stops are not to be used for speed control or to arbitrarily interrupt traffic. When all-way stop signs are installed at locations where they are not warranted, there is a high incidence of motorists disregarding the traffic control devices. Well-developed, nationally accepted guidelines outlined in the Manual on Uniform Control Devices consider the amount of traffic at an intersection, the length of time traffic must wait to enter an intersection, intersection sight distance, and the safety of an intersection to determine if an all-way stop installation is warranted.

Speed Limits

Speed limits on Westminster streets are posted based on the classification and design of the roadway. Changing the posted speed limit is done by performing an engineering and traffic investigation and determining that the currently posted speed limit is unreasonable or unsafe for that street. Outside of reduced school speed zones, the lowest posted speed limit on Westminster streets is 25 mph.

Requests to reduce or increase speed limits are evaluated in accordance with State law and the MUTCD. Factors that are considered when reviewing speed limits include:

• Roadway environment, including development, access point frequency, functional classification, public transit volume and stop locations, parking practices, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities and demand;
• Roadway characteristics, including lane widths, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, median type, and sight distance;
• Geographic context and multi-modal trip generation;
• Reported crash experience for at least a 12-month period;
• Speed distribution of free-flowing vehicles, including pace, median, and 85^th percentile speeds; and
• Review of past speed studies

There are many opinions on the effect of lowering speed limits; however, research and local experience show that there is no guarantee that a speed limit will have any effect on driving behavior. Motorists tend to drive at speeds they feel comfortable with regardless of speed limit signs. Street design and enforcement are most effective in reducing speeds.

Please remember that observing speed limits means more than driving faster or slower than the posted speed. It means driving to conditions. For instance, when it is raining or foggy, when ice is on the road, when traffic is heavy, when road construction is ahead, when pedestrians or bicyclists are near the road, adjust your speed accordingly.

Pedestrian Crossings

Unmarked pedestrian crossings occur at intersections where crosswalk markings are not present. Crosswalk markings are used to provide guidance for pedestrians who are crossing roadways and help alert road users of a designated pedestrian crossing point, especially at non-intersection locations.

Marked crosswalks can only be installed when accessible curb ramps are located on both sides of the crossing to ensure that all can safely use the crosswalk.

Flashing beacon crossings (rectangular rapid flashing beacons or RRFBs), are installed in accordance with federal standards that evaluate resident requests, school walking routes, nearby parks or trails, the number of roadway lanes to cross, roadway speed, traffic volume on the road, the number of pedestrians that use the crosswalk, the pedestrian's exposure to traffic, other nearby crossings, and how long it takes to cross. The goal of RRFBs is to increase safety and use resources efficiently.

Pedestrian traffic signals should only installed when traffic signal pedestrian warrants are met, in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Control Devices.

As part of the City's effort to become environmentally responsible, the city has upgraded arterial and collector streetlights throughout Westminster from the older high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor lights to more efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights. LED streetlights consume less power and last longer than sodium lights, so they cost less to operate and need to be replaced less often. New developments are required to install LED streetlights and will need to follow these standards and specifications:

• Street Lighting Design, Standards and Specifications

The City continues to use Xcel Energy along our roadways. Outages or repairs of street lights within city limits can be reported directly to Xcel Energy at 800-895-4999 or residents can submit an online request to Xcel Energy.

In 2021, the City Council adopted the Transportation and Mobility Plan - a community-driven plan that addresses near- and long-term multimodal transportation and mobility needs for city residents, commuters, and visitors. The Plan includes goals, objectives, and recommendations for strategic actions and investments that provide safer and more efficient, connected, and accessible transportation options in Westminster. The final plan documents and more information about how the plan was developed are at the Transportation & Mobility Plan page.