Group Transportation to Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is a 45-minute drive from Denver International Airport (DEN) — only 15 minutes longer than the drive from downtown Denver — along an easy stretch of Highway 36.

As your meeting attendees make their way into Boulder, cresting the hill known as Davidson Mesa and looking down into the Boulder Valley, you may hear a few gasps. It's a breathtaking view of the city spread out before you, cradled by the red sandstone and pine-dotted foothills and with glimpses of the white-capped Rocky Mountains beyond.

Getting around Boulder — a compact, walkable city — is easy, too. Read our tips.

Flying to Boulder

Arriving by Air

Denver International Airport (DEN) is Boulder's closest major airport. It's 42 miles away, the third busiest airport in the U.S. and has 200+ daily nonstop flights from major cities. Among many awards, Skytrax World Airport Awards named DEN No. 3 Best Airport Serving 50-60 Million Passengers Per Year (the highest among U.S. airports).

JSX is a small, hop-on public charter jet service that flies into and out of a hangar in Broomfield—a 20-minute drive from downtown Boulder. Fliers get free onboard wifi, cocktails and treats, 20-minute pre-board check-in, and up to three complimentary checked bags delivered plane-side. JSX services Las Vegas, Dallas, Salt Lake City and more from this location.

Getting to Boulder From the Airport

Driving From DEN to Boulder

Rental cars are located on site at Denver International Airport. With well-maintained, easy-to-access roadways year-round, driving to Boulder from DEN is easy. Because Boulder is located right where the plains meet the mountains, the drive from DEN is relatively flat, unlike a trek into the high-mountain towns of Colorado.

Without Tolls

Take Peña Boulevard and merge onto I-70 west. Take I-70 to I-270 west. Continue onto Highway 36, which will take you to the east side of Boulder. This route is free of tolls and takes about 45 minutes during non-peak traffic hours.

With Tolls

From Peña Boulevard, take the toll road exit north (E-470 north to the Northwest Parkway toward Hwy. 36 West/Denver Boulder Turnpike). Exit onto Hwy. 36 and continue west into Boulder. Please be aware this route has tolls, and if you are renting a car, you will need to make arrangements with your rental car agency.

Shuttle Services

Eight Black Airport Shuttle is a reliable provider, delivering guests directly to many of Boulder's hotels or other locations. Rates, schedules and details are available on the Eight Black website.

Boulder Transport provides luxury limousine, airport, and contract transportation services in Boulder, Colorado.

Public Bus

You can take the public Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus from DEN to Boulder (Route AB1). The route makes several convenient stops in Boulder, including a final destination at the Downtown Boulder Transit Station at 14th and Walnut, in the heart of downtown. Buses depart approximately every 60 minutes (more frequently at peak times). The schedule and route information can be found on RTD's website (search for Route AB1).

The duration of the ride is about 1 hour and 15-20 minutes.

Where to Catch the Bus at DEN
Buses to/from Boulder leave/arrive from the Transit Center at Denver International Airport. The Transit Center can be accessed at the south end of Jeppesen Terminal by exiting through the glass doors and taking the escalator or elevator down to ground level. The bus route to Boulder is Route AB1.

Fare
$10 one way

How to Pay: Three Options 
A. The RTD MyRide app lets you scan and ride using your MyRide mobile barcode:

1.    Pre-purchase tickets for future use or buy a ticket on the day of travel 
2.    Select "Buy Ticket"
3.    Select ticket type
4.    Enter payment info and the pass is delivered instantly
5.    Activate your ticket before boarding a bus or train
6.    Show to operator and fare inspector

B. Ticket vending machines are located on the train platform in the Transit Center and are also available at the RTD Information Booth at the Transit Center.

C. Tickets can be paid directly to the driver upon boarding the bus. You'll need cash and exact fare only, as drivers cannot make changes. 

Getting Around Boulder

Meeting planners find it convenient to hold a "walking conference" in Boulder's compact downtown, with conference hotels and great venues in one easily walkable area.

Boulder Public Transit

The regional bus system, Regional Transportation District (RTD), can also help attendees travel throughout the entire city and to nearby towns and Denver. The downtown bus station at 14th and Walnut is a convenient hub for getting around town, to nearby towns, and to and from the airport via Route AB.

The Hop and City Buses

Boulder’s in-city bus routes (named the Hop, Skip and Jump) offer another way for attendees to get around town. The Hop, in particular, is great for attendees because it makes a large loop to key visitor areas of the city: Pearl Street, Twenty Ninth Street shopping center and the University of Colorado. 

BCycle

Public bike-sharing kiosks, called BCycle are located throughout Boulder and make it fun and easy to pedal from station to station at an affordable rate. 

Lime E-Scooters

Lime e-scooters can be found in designated zones on or near sidewalks across the city. Use the Lime app to find available e-scooters. Note: E-scooters are geofenced and will shut down in "no-go" zones, such as on Pearl Street Mall, trails and cemeteries. For more information, read the City of Boulder's FAQ page on e-scooters.

Parking

In downtown Boulder, your best bet for parking will be in one of the city's parking garages. Parking in city parking garages is free Saturdays, Sundays and city-recognized holidays. Downtown garages use a gateless entry and pay system: scan a QR code from one of the many signs throughout the garages (or go to the Metropolis website) to setup payment for the first time. Parking less than 15 minutes is always free, too. Monday-Friday you can park in any city parking garage after 3pm and leave before 3am and you'll be charged a flat rate of just $3 for your entire stay.