Why Denver's Sidewalks Are Getting Facelift

DENVER, CO -- The City of Denver is taking new steps to emphasize the importance of sidewalks and pedestrian safety. In spite of Denver's glorious weather and hiking and walking culture, sidewalks in the city are in terrible shape, and some areas have no sidewalks at all.

"Since the beginning of 2016, 102 people have died while walking, bicycling, taking transit, riding a motorcycle or driving in the city," Mayor Michael Hancock said in a press release. "These are numbers that have only increased over the past several years and, in large part, it is our seniors, children and underserved communities that are being victimized."

Hancock's proposed Vision Zero plans to reduce auto fatalities and serious injuries to zero by 2030. And a Pedestrian Crash Analysis [PDF] from Denver's Dept. of Public Works shows how Denver's widest streets have the highest pedestrian fatalities, even when pedestrians had the right of way.

On Tuesday, Denver officials announced a sidewalk repair campaign that offers both a carrot and a stick: Homeowners will have to pay for sidewalk repairs on their properties, but the city will offer three-year loans and income-based grants to help. At the same time, the Dept. of Public Works has announced they will start installing sidewalks over the 355 miles of pedestrian pathway gaps, where sidewalks have never existed. "Beginning in 2018, Denver's Sidewalk Gap Program will begin to further fill these sidewalk gaps and create a complete sidewalk network, enabling pedestrians to safely access their destinations.in areas where they have never existed," the DPW announced. The Sidewalk Gap program is funded primarily by bond dollars approved by voters in Nov. 2017. The bond included $47.7 million to build sidewalks where they are currently missings, with $17 million specifically earmarked to close gaps in the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods, the DPW website said.

Under the new city council-approved $4 million repair assistance program, property owners must still replaced broken or cracked sidewalks, but there are cheaper fix options than replacing a concrete slab costing between $200-$400, according to the Denver Post.

Read more here in the Denver Post

See the Denver Sidewalk presentation here.

Image: "Dirtwalk on Quebec Avenue" by David Sachs, Streetsblog Denver.