All Categories, Civil

Oklahoma Flats Trail

Civil engineering to realign the most trafficked trail in Aspen, CO.

The highly trafficked Oklahoma Flats Trail in Aspen was overly steep at a grade of over 20%. It crossed into a driveway, creating a high potential for hazardous accidents. The design and permitting required multiple steps, a land use stream margin review, and issuance of a permit from Engineering. RFE created CDOT formatted specifications and summary of approximate quantities that were consistent with City Parks trail standards. The trail centerline is now only 12% and the sculpted uphill soil wall integrates well with the neighborhood.

Challenges & highlights

As Engineer of Record for the Basalt Sanitation District, we oversee projects ranging from wastewater treatment facilities to collection system improvements.

We serve multiple districts across Colorado’s mountain communities and have partnered with Basalt Sanitation District since 2018. This long-term relationship reflects our commitment to consistent results.

The results

Our long-standing relationship and proven track record allow us to help the District make informed, long-term decisions that strengthen the community and better serve its customers.

Through nearly a decade of partnership, we have developed deep institutional knowledge of the District’s systems, allowing us to solve problems more efficiently and approach planning holistically.

During our tenure as District Engineer, we have helped secure over $1.5 million in grant funding for capital projects, completed a rate study to guide the next 30 years of service, and established a financial plan that supports long-term stability alongside future improvements.

Elevation: 7,908

Location: Aspen, CO

• Realignment of trail from 20% to 12% grade

• Sculpted uphill soil wall for aesthetic integration

• CDOT formatted specifications

• Value engineering process to meet City’s budget

Build infrastructure that holds up

If your municipality is planning roadway improvements, utility expansions, or system upgrades, we are ready to support your team.