biking

Denver may not become the internationally-recognized pinnacle of pedestrian access anytime soon, but Denver can pave its way to 21st-century mobility and transit options with the help of those who want to see it succeed the most—her very own residents. 

How does a mobility problem faced by residents eventually become an element of a massive, municipal bond? Here’s a hint: it’s a long process filled with continuous effort, strategic planning and a little creativity.

Many projects that are being funded by the Elevate Denver bond seek to solve mobility problems that come as a result of the barriers, both physical and political, that exist all over the city. Especially in communities that have historically been given the short end of the stick regarding citywide mobility, regulatory conflicts and right-of-way hierarchies only continue to delay the solutions residents are asking for. 

“As the service becomes more quality and more attractive, it is going to mean more and more people will ride transit." It is going to allow Colfax to carry more people than it does today."

New York has Broadway, Chicago has Michigan Avenue, New Orleans has Bourbon Street, and Denver has Colfax. Can $20 million in Elevate Denver bond money help reclaim Colfax for people?

If you’re (un)lucky enough to be crossing under the railroad on Alameda between Santa Fe and Cherokee on a rainy day, you will see gallons of water spill down, past the decaying bridges and onto the narrow sidewalk and street, carrying large amounts of debris with it. This cascade is a huge safety hazard, one reason Denver's working to dry up what locals have dubbed “Alameda Falls.”

When will the rest of 13th Avenue—the part not in downtown Denver; the part that actually gives people safe access to jobs, healthcare, schools, and leisure—get a desperately-needed infrastructure improvement?

Welcome to the new Streetsblog Denver series covering the Elevate Denver General Obligation bond. Every Tuesday, we’ll be looking at and dissecting different biking, walking, and transit upgrades across the city. We’ll explore the planning aspects behind key projects in addition to considering how these changes will affect the lives of people in the communities where they are located. 

Robin Mazumder: When I speak out about urban issues, it is from my perspective as someone who experiences marginalization in some aspects of my identity as much as it is from my perspective as someone who has privilege.