Flatiron Flyer bus route between Denver, Boulder launches Jan. 3, but shoulder route is delayed

BOULDER | A bus system designed to offer rapid transit on U.S. 36 between Boulder and Denver has run into some trouble.

The Flatiron Flyer will start operating in the highway’s express lanes starting Jan. 3. It was also supposed to have the option of driving on the shoulder when traffic slows down. But Colorado law bans driving on highway shoulders and the state Legislature would need to pass an exemption before that’s allowed.

The Daily Camera reports that somehow the issue was missed in the six years of planning the service.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is working on a bill to allow the exemption.