DOTI Delivers
Edition 1 - July 2026
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From OUR hands to YOUR neighborhoods!
Read on for a sampling of the work DOTI is delivering!
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51st Avenue and Steele Street Green Infrastructure Project
In July, DOTI will begin work to install green infrastructure on the east side of Steele Street between 51st Avenue and 52nd Avenue, along the west side of Lorraine Granado Community Park. The new facility will manage stormwater runoff and benefit the community with native/Colorado-adapted plants and trees, improved parking, a green roof shade shelter, and added seating. Local community members provided input that informed design features, including needs for shaded seating, parking improvements, and accessibility. Construction is currently expected to begin this week and last through the end of November 2026. To learn more about how DOTI is using green infrastructure to mitigate urban heat and manage stormwater runoff while beautifying neighborhoods, visit denvergov.org/greeninfrastructure.
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Welton Next Steps
The Welton Next Steps project is building on prior studies to establish a clear, implementable vision for the future of Welton Street and the recommended transit extension along Downing Street. Its focus is on:
- Welton Street – Broadway to Downing: This segment will be the focus for full-scope corridor visioning, alternatives development, and feasibility analysis.
- Downing Street –Welton to Blake: This segment will be evaluated specifically for the feasibility of potential transit alignments and alternatives.
Welton Next Steps will deliver an actionable framework to guide future investments, identifying strategies to enhance transit, expand green and public spaces, and create a welcoming streetscape that reflects the corridor’s cultural heritage and supports local business revitalization. The next community meeting will be held on Thursday, August 27 (details forthcoming). To learn more and sign up for updates, To learn more and sign up for updates, visit the project website.
| | New Sidewalks on Smith Road | | As part of Denver's Sidewalk Program, DOTI recently completed installing approximately 1600 linear feet of (primarily) detached sidewalk on the south side of Smith Road to fill the sidewalks gaps between Kearney Street and Quebec Street. The project included upgrading one RTD bus stop to be meet ADA and RTD accessibility criteria and narrowed the pavement area and pedestrian conflict zones in a heavily trafficked industrial strip. Keep scrolling for more on Denver's Sidewalk Program and how you can weigh in on the future of sidewalks in Denver as the new program develops and delivers sidewalk improvements citywide. | | | The closure of Santa Fe Drive is needed to keep the traveling public safe. Large cranes will be used to set two major bridge spans into place. | | |
Denver will be closing Santa Fe Drive in both directions between Evans Avenue and Florida Avenue for one weekend in July to install the main spans for a new bike and pedestrian bridge at West Jewell Avenue. Each span is about 180 feet long and 215,000 pounds. The bridge, when complete next year, will provide pedestrians and people on bikes with a safe new way to cross over Santa Fe and the BNSF and RTD rail lines at Jewell Ave, and a new connection between neighborhoods to the east and west.
The closure of Santa Fe is currently scheduled for 12 a.m. Saturday, July 11, through 5 a.m. Monday, July 13. The alternate weekend is July 18-20, should weather or any other unforeseen conditions require a delay. Detour routes will be in place. Visit the project website for more details and closure updates.
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A Better Iowa Underpass Opens July 11
The same day Santa Fe Drive closes for weekend bridge work, DOTI will reopen the Iowa Avenue Underpass, where improvements made will make it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, and roll. Crews are nearly done constructing a new ADA-accessible pathway on the north side of Iowa Avenue between Santa Fe Drive and Acoma Street where people travel under the railroad tracks. The work is also enhancing multimodal safety and connectivity in adjacent neighborhoods by working to eliminate a gap along the D18 bike route, providing a better travel experience. After the underpass opens, artist Ratha Sok will begin installing a colorful mural (shown below).
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Alameda Underpass Improvements Nearly Complete!
Installation of a new grade‑separated, ADA‑compliant sidewalk and multiuse path on the north side of West Alameda Avenue between Santa Fe Drive and Cherokee St is open to the public! The Alameda Underpass Project, funded by the voter-approved Elevate Denver Bond, included work to stabilize deteriorating wall sections. Still to come are lighting improvements that will enhance safety and comfort for everyone moving through the area.
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A Safer West Mississippi Avenue
Big safety and mobility upgrades are coming to Mississippi Avenue between Eliot and Quivas streets, bringing major improvements to one of Denver’s most important east‑west corridors. The effort will add raised medians, curb extensions, ADA‑compliant curb ramps, and upgraded signals to slow speeds, shorten pedestrian crossings, and create a safer experience for everyone walking, biking, rolling, and driving. Residents will also see new right‑in/right‑out access at several intersections, a new mid‑block crossing at Vallejo Street, and refreshed sidewalks, drainage, and roadway elements throughout the corridor. The upgrades align with the Safer Main Streets Initiative and Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan. To learn about travel impacts during construction, visit the project website.
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Starting soon: Buchtel Boulevard and Evans Avenue Travel and Safety Improvements
In July, a contractor for DOTI will begin work to make Buchtel Boulevard from University to Colorado boulevards a more complete street, where it's easier for pedestrians and people who scooter and bike to access jobs, schools, shops, and transit stops. The project includes building safer intersections and pedestrian and bike crossings and upgrading bike facilities and traffic signal infrastructure. People can expect to see infrastructure improvements at five intersections: Buchtel and University, Buchtel and St. Paul, Buchtel and Colorado, Evans and University, and Evans and Colorado. People can email the project's public information team at publicinformation@comcast.net to sign up for regular project updates and to learn about temporary travel impacts as improvements are made.
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DOTI Paves Yale Avenue, Builds New High Line Canal Trail Underpass
For the next couple of weeks, travelers should expect to encounter temporary closures on East Yale Avenue from Monaco St. Parkway to Quebec Street for milling and paving operations. Concrete work is also scheduled in the area, preparing for the installation of two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons - one east of Monaco St. Parkway and one west of Quebec Street - that will increase the visibility of people walking and biking across Yale Avenue.
Full closures of E. Yale Avenue at Holly Street are also currently scheduled for the weekends of July 17-20 and August 7-10 so that a contractor for DOTI can install a new underpass that will allow people using the High Line Canal Trail to avoid conflicts with cars. More details on the project and travel updates can be found on the High Line Canal Trail Underpass web page.
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New Monaco Bridge over Cherry Creek Complete!
Thanks to more than $12M in funding from the voter-approved Elevate Denver Denver bond, DOTI has replaced a 60-year-old bridge on Monaco St. Parkway over Cherry Creek and widened its sidewalks to make travel easier for pedestrians. Travel lanes are in their final permanent alignment and turn lanes have been reinstated. Crews will remain in the area this summer to perform finishing operations, requiring intermittent short lane closures.
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Reducing Flood Risks
In July, a contractor for DOTI will be in the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood, continuing to make progress on improvements to the area’s stormwater management system. The work marks Phase 3 of a four-phase project to protect lives and property from historic localized flooding issues, increase pedestrian and driver safety during storm events, and improve the quality of stormwater runoff entering Lollipop Lake and Cherry Creek.
Crews will increase the size of the stormwater pipes in Mississippi Avenue between Monaco St. Parkway and Oneida Street to safely convey and carry more stormwater. To learn more and sign up for construction updates, visit tennoneida.com
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Denver Pedals with Pride: Celebrating Everyone Who Rode on Bike to Work Day
On June 24, DOTI celebrated the thousands of Coloradoans that pledged to participate in Bike to Work Day and more connections created through Denver’s bike program! DOTI joined forces with the Denver Regional Council of Governments this year to host a breakfast station at Union Station. Denver offers residents and visitors 712 miles of on-street bikeways and trails, and is adding 38 more miles in the 2025/2026 time frame. For more information, visit denvergov.org/bikeprogram
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Sidewalk Stamp Contest!
DOTI has launched a citywide Sidewalk Stamp Contest, inviting residents to create a design that will be embedded in sidewalks across Denver for years to come. The winning design earns a $1,000 prize and a permanent place in our public spaces. Everything you need to know to submit your contest entry by July 31 is at denvergov.org/sidewalks.
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Help shape Denver’s future sidewalks
Also by July 31, DOTI is asking Denverites to weigh in on the city’s Sidewalk Implementation Plan — Denver’s first long‑term roadmap for building, widening, and repairing our sidewalk network. A new survey is open now until the end of July. Your feedback will guide how sidewalk improvements roll out across the city. Take the survey at bit.ly/SIPphase2survey. You can also attend our next public webinar on Wednesday, July 8, from 6-7 p.m. Register here to receive the meeting link.
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Denver Rewards Residents who Shift 2!
Ready to make a big impact with two small changes? Join Denver’s Shift2 movement! Swap out two solo car trips each week for walking, biking, rolling, transit, carpooling, or scooting—and you could win monthly gift cards just for getting around in a healthier, more sustainable way. It’s easy, fun, and a great way to explore Denver while cutting emissions and easing traffic. Jump in and start logging your trips today. Learn more at denvergov.org/shift2.
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DOTI Helps Bring Eye-catching Art Downtown!
Denver Skynets by Poetic Kinetics is bringing color, movement, and creativity to our downtown streets. These temporary aerial artworks move with the wind are making our public spaces feel welcoming and lively! DOTI worked with the Downtown Denver Partnership, Denver Arts & Venues, and the Denver Downtown Development Authority (DDDA) to bring Skynets to life. As part of the collaboration, DOTI is using what it learns from the installation to refine and improve its permitting and approval process for partners interested in placing artistic exhibits in public spaces. The goal is to make it easier for more creative projects to come to life across downtown.
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Taking Care of Business, with a Focus on Restaurants
DOTI'S Right of Way Services Division recently made some changes to make doing business in Denver easier for restaurant owners. Historically, DOTI required restaurants to use heavy-duty gravity grease interceptors to prevent the clogging of sanitary sewer systems. This year, DOTI updated its standards to be more consistent with international code, allowing another kind of grease interceptor -called hydromechanical. Hydromechanical units come in different sizes, making installation easier in small spaces and providing more flexibility around cost. Shout out to DOTI staff who worked on these changes that align with Mayor Johnston’s priorities to reduce regulatory hurdles for businesses ("cutting red tape") and encourage a more risk-tolerant approach while protecting city infrastructure.
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