Traffic Signals & Signs

The Traffic Division provides traffic engineering and operation services for our citizens. The goal is to provide and advocate for a safe, efficient transportation system for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicle drivers.

To request traffic signs or pavement markings, to report damaged or worn out signs or pavement markings, to request a study to determine if a new traffic signal is needed, or to report operational issues at an existing traffic signal, please contact the Traffic Engineering Division.

Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings

The city of Thornton Traffic Engineering Division maintains the traffic signs and pavement markings. Signs are placed in compliance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, State statutes, and city ordinances.

Special Signs

The city of Thornton no longer installs Children at Play, Blind Child, Blind Child Area, Deaf Child, or Blind Pedestrian signs. These signs are not recognized by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as official traffic control devices and are no longer in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the FHWA. Any such signs that have been installed in neighborhoods in the past will remain in place until they are no longer serviceable or until the requestor has moved. The signs will then be removed. There is no evidence that these signs result in any change in driver behavior or that these signs provide any safety benefit. Therefore, these signs do not guarantee traffic safety and can create a false sense of security, particularly for children or the parents of children.

The city of Thornton has developed the Roadside Memorial Sign Program to memorialize individuals who have died in crashes on city-owned roadways. This program allows families and friends to honor their loved ones safely while also providing messaging to encourage safe driving. Interested individuals may submit a request for a memorial sign by completing the Roadside Memorial Sign Application.

Signals

The city of Thornton maintains 183 traffic signals and is adding approximately three per year. Traffic signals are installed only after meeting warrants established in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the Federal Highway Administration.

The traffic signals on Colorado Boulevard, Holly Street, Huron Street, Thornton Parkway, Washington Street, 84th Avenue, 88th Avenue, 120th Avenue, 128th Avenue, 136th Avenue, and 144th Avenue are on coordinated traffic signal systems. The traffic signals along 104th Avenue are also coordinated but maintained from I-25 to Irma Drive by the City of Northglenn.

The traffic signal map is updated as new traffic signals are constructed and can be found under “featured links” on this page.

Traffic Counts

The city of Thornton collects data about its streets continuously. The data includes 24-hour counts, turning movements, pedestrians, speeds, and consultant data. The city’s 24-hour count map can be found here. For traffic count or speed information, please email or call the Traffic Division at trafficengineering@thorntonco.gov or at 720-977-6490.

Small Cell Facilities

The city of Thornton, much like other communities across the nation, is receiving requests from an increasing number of wireless service providers and wireless infrastructure companies to install small cell facilities in the right-of-way. The right-of-way is essentially where the road, sidewalks, and landscaping adjacent to the road reside.

Small cell facilities are low-powered antennas used to supplement a cellular network, expand cellular coverage, and facilitate the deployment of 5G wireless communication, which is considered the next wireless evolution beyond current 4G communication. Each small cell facility typically consists of an antenna mounted to a pole, equipment inside a cabinet attached to the pole or mounted inside the pole, and a meter for electric utility purposes.

In September 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a ruling that does not allow cities to prohibit the installation of small cell facilities in the right-of-way. As a result, small cell facilities can be attached to utility poles, street light poles, and traffic signals, or stand-alone poles only used for small cell facilities can be installed. While cities cannot prohibit the installation of small cell facilities, cities can create design standards for the appearance and location of small cell facilities within the right-of-way.

Small Cell Permitting

Before obtaining a permit from the city to install a small cell facility in the right-of-way, the owner of the small cell facility must have a Right-of-Way Use Agreement in place with the city. If a Right-of-Way Use Agreement is not in place, please complete the application linked on the right side of this page and submit it by email to trafficengineering@thorntonco.gov.

With a Right-of-Way Use Agreement, a wireless service provider or wireless infrastructure company can apply for small cell permits.
The application submittal is reviewed by designated staff for compliance with the terms of the Right-of-Way Use Agreement, city code, and small cell design guidelines.
The application submittal is not considered complete until compliance is achieved.
If the application is incomplete, the applicant will be notified, and the shot clock will stop. The shot clock will reset once a complete application is submitted.
Once the application submittal is approved, the small cell facilities are documented in an exhibit, and the small cell provider can then apply for construction and traffic control permits. Construction and traffic control permit applications can be found on the city's permit web page linked on the right side of this page.

With a Right-of-Way Use Agreement, a wireless service provider or wireless infrastructure company can apply for small cell permits. In general, the application process for small cell permitting and approval is outlined below. The process is subject to change at the discretion of the city.

More detailed information on the application submittal process and submittal requirements can be found in the Small Cell Design Guidelines linked below. The city may revise, develop new, update, or amend these guidelines from time to time to meet the city's goals.

Traffic Control Permits

The city of Thornton requires traffic control permits for items that affect pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow. Such permits include, but are not limited to:

Block Parties
Parades
Street Closures
Work Zones
Dirt Haul Routes
Oversized Vehicles
Dumpster/Storage Container (Pods)/Roll-offs

The minimum review time for complete traffic control permit applications is 5 business days. All permit applications must be made through the Online Permit Applications through the icon link at the top of this page. Traffic Control Permit fees may apply.

All work in the roadway related to development must get a traffic control permit from City Development. Submit an online application for a traffic control permit from City Development using the icon link at the top of this page.

Street Light Issues

Streetlights are installed after city approval and maintained by Xcel Energy, United Power, or the City, depending on the area of the city. Please call Traffic Engineering to request that the City investigate the need for a street light(s).