Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODS)

Larimer County Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODS) Program offers business identification and directional signs for businesses in rural Larimer County that serve tourists, travelers, and visitors from outside the immediate area. The signs are designed to guide motorists from the closest intersection of a county-maintained main road to the business location.

The program consists of two components:

  1. The Colorado State Department of Transportation's TODS (Tourist Oriented Directional Sign) Program, designed for use along state highways.
  2. A similar, yet more flexible program for mainline county roads (major collectors and arterials) in rural Larimer County

The program is managed by the same private company that oversees the state program, Colorado Logos, Inc. Funding for the program comes from the businesses and/or entities that participate.

Privately owned businesses, groups, or public institutions wishing to participate must meet the following criteria:

  • The destination must be located outside all recognized growth management areas, as well as the Estes Valley area.
  • The destination must be open to the general public.
  • The business must derive the majority of its income from patrons who do not reside in the immediate area (typically described as within 25 miles). For non-profits or public institutions, the majority of visitors must come from outside this 25-mile radius.
  • The destination must be located within 10 miles of a major collector or arterial county roadway.
  • The business must be open to the general public for at least 20 hours per week.

There are no specific restrictions on the type of businesses or uses that can qualify for the program—any business that meets the above criteria is eligible. For businesses eligible to participate in both the CDOT program and the County program, applicants must specify which program they wish to use. Requests for eligibility waivers can be submitted to County Staff.

The cost for a sign is $250.00 per year. This fee covers administration, site review, sign construction, initial installation, maintenance, and up to one trailblazer sign (if needed). Additional trailblazer signs are available for $120.00 per year. Seasonal closures are charged at $100.00 per season.

Contact Colorado Logos at (303) 462-2320 or (888) 634-5646. A representative will assist you with completing the paperwork, explain the approval process, and guide you through the next steps, including the design of business logos for the sign, if desired.

A plaque is a maximum 48" wide by 18" high blue rectangle.  It can display only text, standard symbols (such as food, gas, or lodging), or custom logos (with an additional fee), along with a directional arrow and distance. Up to four plaques can be placed per direction on a single sign assembly, and multiple assemblies may be positioned at an intersection in some areas. If more panels are required at an intersection approach, a yearly rotation process will be implemented.

A Tourist Oriented Direction Sign (TOD) with four panels displaying location names, camping symbols, company logos, directional arrows, and distances. The panels provide information to help tourists navigate the area.
Example of Directional Sign


A smaller "trailblazer" sign (36” x 18”) is used when additional turns on local roads are necessary.

A trail blazer sign featuring a location name, a directional arrow, and the distance to the destination.
Example of Trail Blazer Sign


If the request is denied, an appeal may be made to the Board of County Commissioners.

Location

Signs will be placed at least 200 feet before the nearest eligible intersection leading to the business and will be installed exclusively on County-maintained main roads. (For signs on State Highways, please contact CDOT).

Traffic signs have priority within the public road rights-of-way.

The exact placement of the directional sign is determined by Colorado Logos and Larimer County. Maintenance of the directional signs will be handled by Colorado Logos, Inc., or its subcontractors.

Sign Removal

Removal of a sign occurs if:

  • The business no longer meets the eligibility criteria
  • The annual renewal notice is not submitted
  • The intersection is subject to the yearly rotation policy

Businesses will receive notice prior to removal of signs. 


Engineering Department - Traffic Operations

Attn Traffic Operations
200 West Oak Street, Suite 3000
P.O. Box 1190
Fort Collins, CO 80522-1190

(970) 498-5707
Email
Citizen Request Portal