Off-System Bridge Program

The Off-System Bridge Program, administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), is a statewide initiative focused on the preservation and improvement of major structures, specifically bridges and culverts, that are owned by Colorado counties and municipalities and located on public roads. The program’s primary objectives are to inventory, inspect, evaluate, replace, and rehabilitate these major structures. In addition, the program also evaluates tunnels owned by local jurisdictions. There are two distinct but complementary components: the Off-System Bridge Program (BRO), which funds replacement or rehabilitation projects, and the Off-System Bridge Inspection Program (BIO), which covers the cost of inspections. Funding for the program is drawn from the CDOT Budget’s Bridge Off-System line, which is comprised of a combination of federally mandated funds and state-directed funds. Notably, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $6.75 million annually from 2021 through 2026 for off-system bridge projects under the Bridge Formula Program. BRO project funding requires a minimum 20% match from the applying local government. Funds are managed through statewide and regional BRO pools, with allocations moving from the statewide pool to regional pools upon approval by the Special Highway Committee (SHC). Unused funds may be returned to the statewide pool for future SHC-authorized projects. Only Colorado counties and municipalities are eligible to apply, and structures must meet several conditions to qualify for funding. Eligible structures must be major structures—either bridges or culverts—with clear spans of more than 20 feet and must be publicly owned and located on public roads. They must be classified as in "Poor" or "Fair" condition according to National Bridge Inventory (NBI) ratings. Replacement is generally prioritized for "Poor" structures, while "Fair" structures may be eligible for major rehabilitation if it can be demonstrated that such an approach is economically and functionally justifiable. Applicants must coordinate with their CDOT Local Agency Coordinator before submission and must provide a comprehensive application that includes justification for the work, project scope, clearances, detailed cost estimates, and documentation of the local match. A separate worksheet, the Off-System Bridge Program Application Data Worksheet, summarizes key details and helps streamline the review process. Applications are submitted to the SHC, which meets annually to review and select projects for funding. Supplementary funding applications can be submitted on a rolling basis but require justification for unforeseen cost increases. Projects must be completed within four years of receiving an award, and CDOT may seek reimbursement for costs if a project is canceled before completion. SHC evaluates proposals based on shovel-readiness, condition severity, functional obsolescence, and other engineering and logistical factors. Award notifications are formalized in SHC Award Memorandums, which are shared with CDOT’s Office of Financial Management and Budget and relevant stakeholders within 14 days of the annual SHC meeting. The program is supported administratively by Colorado Counties Incorporated (CCI) and the Colorado Municipal League (CML), with CDOT Staff Bridge providing technical oversight. Ongoing responsibilities for local agencies include construction oversight, quality assurance, and compliance with CDOT standards. Detailed deliverables are required at every phase, including inspection data, design documentation, and post-construction certifications. The BRO Tracking Summary spreadsheet and Annual Local Communication processes ensure transparent project tracking and performance review.