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+News from Denver CPD that may impact building and development projects
| | News from Community Planning and Development (CPD) | | |
In this issue:
- Improvements in the works for Outdoor Places Program
- Updates from the Denver Permitting Office
- Landmark Preservation concludes second historic context project
- Participate in Public Utilities Commission rule-making process
- City Council votes to approve zoning code amendments
- CPD staff to take part in ICC Educational Institute
| | Changes coming to Outdoor Places Program in 2026 | |
Based directly on feedback from business owners, operators, designers and community partners, updates are coming to Denver's Outdoor Places Program this year. Initially created during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program allows restaurants, bars and other businesses to use private and public space for outdoor activation. The goal of the changes is to make the program clearer, more predictable and easier to navigate.
What We’re Working Toward
- Clear and consistent standards
- More predictable permitting outcomes
- Better alignment with accessibility, safety, and mobility needs
What to Know During Updates
- New guidance will be released this spring
- The updated program will match the level of review to the level of risk, complexity, and impact. Simpler patios should require simpler permits.
- No current participants will be forced out of the program during this transition.
- Approved, existing permits will be extended as needed.
- Current permit holders will have a clear and straightforward path into the updated program.
- City staff will continue to engage stakeholders as details are finalized and before any new requirements take effect.
Our goal is a program that supports activation and economic vitality while protecting access, safety, and the public right-of-way, with clarity and predictability for everyone involved.
| | Updates from the Denver Permitting Office | | |
Coming soon: Two new DPO webpages to provide transparency
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180 Calendar Days of City Review Time look up tool – Customers with active applications will be able to look up how much city review time has elapsed on their project since the Executive Order effective date of May 14, 2025.
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About Us, Policies and Procedures page – Resources to be posted will include the interdepartmental and intradepartmental conflict escalation policies and details on how the 180 calendar days of city review time is calculated.
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One-and-done Concept Plan Reviews
In July 2025, Community Planning and Development's Site Design and Neighborhood Development team launched a one and done concept site plan review as a result of customer and staff feedback that the city was not in alignment with the customer’s design process. City staff will now release projects after the first round of concept plan review unless the customer would like more certainty at the concept phase before moving to formal application. This innovation has succeeded in reducing the average number of review cycles for concept approval from 3.04 (Q4 in 2024) to 1.34 (Q4 in 2025).
A new site development plan manual is also helping to ensure customers are submitting only the necessary information in the appropriate format.
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New DOTI Rules and Complete Streets Standards Now in Effect
Earlier this month, the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) adopted the following rules and standards:
These standards are based on Denver’s Complete Street Guidelines and establish requirements for designing and constructing public transportation improvements that support the city’s mobility and safety goals.
Guidance for projects:
- New projects without prior city review as of February 5, 2026 must follow these updated rules and standards.
- Existing projects submitted to the city or with substantial design completed before this date may continue using previous standards.
- For projects in progress, application of the new standards can be determined by the project, plan, or permitting authority on a case-by-case basis.
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New SUDP Regulations for Interceptors and ADU Policy
The Sewer Use and Drainage Permits (SUDP) team has announced recent changes to regulations that impact interceptor design and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) processing:
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Grease Interceptors: Updated hydromechanical allowances and sizing criteria, along with new gravity interceptor sizing guidelines.
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Sand/Oil Interceptors: Revised hydromechanical allowances and sizing criteria for improved compliance and efficiency.
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ADU Policy: New requirements for covenants, fees, and overall processing to streamline approvals and ensure consistency.
| | Landmark Preservation releases oral history project "We Are the Land" | | |
On Saturday, February 7, Landmark Preservation staff and the American Indian community celebrated the culmination of more than three years of work to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of Denver’s current American Indian population, who have come to Denver from Tribes across the country, as well as Tribal Nations with cultural and historic ties to the land that is now Denver. The oral history project "We are the Land: American Indian Life, Legacy and Future in Denver" aims to recognize how the traditional knowledge and oral histories of American Indians are integral to Denver’s cultural identity.
Along with the release of the oral history project, the project also includes an accompanying documentary produced by Off the Road Productions. The "We Are The Land" documentary will premiere on Denver's Channel 8 and online on Denver8.tv and will be available online on the City and County of Denver's YouTube channel thereafter.
We Are The Land Documentary Broadcast Premiere
7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 19, 2026
Watch on Channel 8, Denver8.tv or youtube.com/@Denver8TV
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Worked with Xcel Energy? We want to hear from you!
Attention building owners and developers! If you have worked with Xcel Energy to:
- Install solar or battery storage systems
- Connect a new property to the grid
- Upgrade electrical service at an existing building
We are looking for your experiences and feedback. Later this year, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will launch a new rulemaking process that should make it easier and less costly for building owners and developers to receive the electric service they need to install heat pumps and other all-electric technology.
The City and County of Denver intends to advocate on behalf of community members in this rulemaking. Your stories and feedback will help us inform our approach so that electrifying buildings can be easier in the future. Please fill out this survey if you’re willing to share your experience or want to receive updates on the rulemaking process!
| | | Council approves zoning updates related to Prop 123, telecoms, SDPs and ADUs | |
The Denver City Council voted unanimously to approve a package of updates to the Denver Zoning Code following a public hearing at its meeting Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The 2025 Text Amendment Mini Bundle aligns Denver's regulations with state mandates and incentive programs while incorporation procedural improvements to support good governance and affordable housing. The topic areas covered are:
- Proposition 123 or expedited reviews for affordable housing projects
- Wireless telecommunications
- Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
- Site development plans
Along with the zoning code amendments, the project also updated the urban design standards and Guidelines for Downtown and Cherry Creek North and Cherry Creek West.
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CPD staff participating in ICC Education Week
The Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council will be hosting its annual Education Institute from March 2 to March 6, 2026. CPD plan review and inspection staff participate in the week-long training every year to stay current on certifications and as part of continuing education supported by Community Planning and Development. The curriculum covers a variety of code topics in building and trades that are specific and directly relevant to staff work.
As a result of the training schedule, electrical plan review and inspections will not be available all day Wednesday, March 4. All other work groups will maintain regular counter and customer service hours.
Learn more
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Recaps from our last newsletter | | |
Get caught up on last month's news >>
- CPD has launched a new online tool that will help applicants calculate linkage fees for their projects, particularly those building single-unit and two-unit homes. The Linkage Fee Estimator will empower those taking on new construction in Denver by providing greater clarity about the costs up front and helping them make informed decisions about potential building projects.
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The Denver Clerk & Recorder has moved all services from the Webb Municipal Building to its headquarters at 200 W. 14th Ave. in Denver. This move centralizes services in one location, including land transaction recordings, deeds of trust, foreclosure services as well as marriage licenses and other legal filings. The office remains open Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except city holidays. Visit the Clerk & Recorder's website
| | Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD) complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or gender to include language. It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations, if needed. Please fill out our language services request form, and these services will be provided free of charge. If you have any questions, contact CPD’s Operations Team at cpdoperations@denvergov.org. | | Copyright © 2025 City and County of Denver. All Rights Reserved. | | | | |
