Transfort’s Gold route gets students around at night

By ROBERT SIDES
The Ramspondents

Many CSU students are out late in Fort Collins over the weekends. Whether it be for partying on Halloween, visiting local bars or doing midnight errands, students need to find a way to get around the city quickly, cheaply, and when few other options are present.

Transfort’s answer to this need is the Gold route: a frequent route that runs late on Friday and Saturday nights. The bus runs along downtown, the CSU campus, and Campus West.

“For anyone who lives near campus or along that route, it's free for everyone,” said Anna Russo, Transfort public engagement specialist. “We do see a lot of students try it, and we promote it as a safe, free ride home after they've been out downtown for the evening.”

Much like other Transfort routes, Gold is supported by ASCSU. ASCSU provides about $28,000 to the Gold route, per the agreement between CSU and Transfort. The money that ASCSU provides is a primary source of funds for the route, but the late-night bus service is held up through other means.

“We receive about 6% of our budget from state grants,” Russo said. “Partnerships and contributions make up about 14% of our budget. Federal grants are 26%, and then the rest comes from the city of Fort Collins.”

Citizens and CSU students use the Gold route frequently. From the start of the 2025 fall semester at CSU to the end of October, Gold has seen 40 boardings a night on average. In that same time, about 1,800 people have ridden Gold on Friday nights and about 1,600 on Saturdays.

Transfort advertises its Gold service to CSU students, particularly during the start of semesters. Transfort communicates to students that Gold is a way to get around town for no price, as compared to other methods such as ride sharing services.

“When we do those tabling events, a lot of students don't know that Gold exists or it's the first time they've heard of it,” Russo said. “They're pretty excited about it. Once they hear about it, because then it's saving them money. They can get a free ride home without having to use Uber or Lyft. We definitely see more riders once school is in session, but that's just obvious because we cater to CSU.”

Because Gold runs at times when no other Transfort routes operate, they use drivers from third parties to staff Gold buses, particularly drivers. Many of Gold’s drivers are recruited from zTrip, a taxi service serving the northern Colorado area.

There is concern that students who spend their evenings drinking may cause disruptive behavior while riding Gold buses. However, neither Transfort nor zTrip received recent complaints about disruptive behavior while intoxicated.

Robert Sides is a second-year student at Colorado State University and a reporter for Rocky Mountain Student Media. He is also the treasurer of CSU’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

By CHLOE WASKEY
The Ramspondents

Fort Collins Police Services responded to a residential burglary in progress around 5 p.m. Nov.18 in the 2000 block of Shady Street. The suspect fled the scene upon officers' arrival, prompting an investigation by FCPS officers, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the LCSO Drone Team and an LCSO K9 Unit. 

Nicholas Wilcoxon, 21, was quickly identified as the suspect and taken into custody on the following charges: Robbery, Burglary, Theft from Burglary, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting Arrest and Obstructing a Peace Officer. 

Law enforcement officials said additional burglaries in the area may have taken place and urged anyone with information to contact Detective Brady Staggers at (970) 416-2299, or contact the Larimer County Crime Stoppers at (970) 221- 6868 to remain anonymous. 

Chloe Waskey is a CSU student majoring in Journalism and Media Communication with a minor in political science.

By ISABELLA HEMNESS
The Ramspondents

Progress continues on construction at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir, to improve visitor access and public roadways.  

Larimer County Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Central Federal Lands Highway Division, is advancing a multi-year, multi-phase project to improve roadways and access at both areas. This project is partially funded through the Colorado Federal Lands Access Program.

The areas currently under active construction are:

Upcoming work planned to begin this spring will include turn lane expansion along West County Road 38E into South Bay at Horsetooth Reservoir. Construction is planned to continue until 2027.

All motorized boating inspection stations are currently closed for the season. Additionally, visitor access at Eagle Campground, North Pines, South Bay, and Inlet Bay are closed due to ongoing construction. Visitor centers at Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake remain open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The county asks visitors to use caution and respect the temporary closure areas. 

Isabella Hemness is a student at Colorado State University, studying journalism and international studies. With journalism experience through classes such as Newswriting, Video Editing and Advanced Reporting and an interest in community engagement and factual storytelling, Isabella works to inform and entertain through her writing. As a member of the Ramspondents, Isabella seeks to inform the population of CSU, Fort Collins, and beyond with accuracy and creativity.