Could Longmont Finally Get a Direct Bus to Denver International Airport?

The first time I decided to travel from Longmont to Denver International Airport without a car, it felt a little ridiculous.

I wasn’t catching a flight.

I wasn’t meeting anyone at the terminal.

I was simply trying to answer a question:

Could Longmont finally get its own direct airport bus?

That question led me onto RTD’s AB1 airport bus and eventually to one of Colorado’s most recognizable landmarks: Blucifer, the giant blue horse that greets travelers arriving at DIA.

The photo made for a great story that got more than 10k views on Instagram.

But the proposed bus route behind it could have a much bigger impact on Longmont residents.

RTD is considering a proposed route known as Route AL, which would provide direct bus service between Longmont and Denver International Airport.

Today, most Longmont residents who want to reach DIA using transit must first travel to Boulder or Denver before connecting to airport service. Others rely on rideshares, taxis, airport parking, or rides from friends and family.

Route AL would change that.

The proposal would create a one-seat ride between Longmont and DIA, giving residents a direct connection to Colorado’s largest airport.

Under planning documents reviewed by Thompsorado, the route would begin at 8th and Coffman in Longmont before serving communities along the U.S. 287 corridor on its way to the airport.

RTD has proposed hourly service, creating a new transportation option for travelers, airport workers, and anyone looking to avoid driving.

For Longmont residents, the proposal could address a long-standing gap in the region’s transit network.

A rideshare to the airport can easily cost dozens of dollars each way. Parking costs add up quickly as well. A direct bus connection would provide a lower-cost alternative while improving access to one of the state’s most important transportation hubs.

The proposal is also notable because it reflects Longmont’s growing importance within the Front Range. As the city continues to grow, transportation connections to regional destinations become increasingly important.

At the time of publication, Route AL remains a proposal and has not yet entered service. RTD officials have continued evaluating the concept as part of broader discussions about future transit investments and service priorities.

Whether the route ultimately becomes reality remains to be seen.

But the proposal has already sparked conversations about what transit should look like in northern Colorado and whether Longmont deserves the same kind of direct airport connection available in other parts of the region.

For me, what started as an excuse to ride a bus to the airport and photograph Blucifer turned into something bigger.

It became a story about how people move around Colorado, what transportation options are available, and how a single new route could make life easier for thousands of residents.

And if Route AL eventually launches, that trip to the airport may end up being one of the first chapters in a much larger story.

Thompsorado will continue following Route AL and other transportation projects affecting Longmont, Boulder County, and the Front Range.