Boulder County Schools Trip Tracker Reduces Traffic: Report

BOULDER COUNTY — Boulder County Transportation's Trip Tracker program has helped cut back on commuter traffic to and from local elementary schools, county officials said. Students and staff at eight St. Vrain Valley Schools participated in the program last year, which resulted in a 33 percent decrease in car miles compared to the previous year, according to a county report.

The program incentivizes traveling to and from school using 'green trips' such as carpooling, busing, biking and walking. The trips earn participants Tracker Bucks that can be spent at participating locally-owned businesses.

Eight elementary schools participated in the 2018-19 school year: Alpine, Burlington, Central, Fall River, Longmont Estates, Lyons, Niwot and Red Hawk.

(Stay up-to-date on Boulder news with Boulder Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Free Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook)

By taking more than 117,178 green trips this past school year, more than 36,000 pounds of CO2 emissions and 28,067 car trips were reduced, Boulder County officials said. Trip Tracker participants walked more than 93.9 million steps to and from school, which is more than 23,000 steps per participant.

As a result of the earned and spent Tracker Bucks, the program directly invested more than $10,400 into local businesses during the 2018/19 academic year through Trip Tracker Business Partner Tracker Buck buy-backs. By only partnering with locally-owned businesses, the program furthers the community’s fiscal growth, officials said.

Trip Tracker is available within both the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley School Districts, which combined offers more than 60 partnered businesses countywide.

All interested locally-owned businesses are encouraged to contact the Trip Tracker Program for more information about how to partner with
or support participating schools and participants.