New sidewalks for East Colfax side streets: the Council clears the way for 39 easements, by negotiation or condemnation
The ordinance passed Monday covers the blocks between Quebec and Willow streets from 13th Avenue to Colfax, plus Rosemary Street to 16th Avenue. Most of the property owners are residential.
Some residential streets in Denver's East Colfax neighborhood have gaps where sidewalks should be. The city is a step closer to filling them.
On Monday, Oct. 26, the City Council gave final approval to Council Bill 26-1430, a land acquisition ordinance for the second package of the East Colfax sidewalk project in Council District 8. It lets the city get the property rights it needs by negotiating with owners or, if that fails, through condemnation, the legal process often called eminent domain.
Why it matters: if you own a home on these blocks, the city may contact you about a temporary easement so crews can work at the edge of your property. If you walk or roll here, the project is meant to add sidewalk where none exists and accessible curb ramps at intersections.
What the ordinance covers
According to the city's request and the bill:
- Where: from about East 13th Avenue to East Colfax Avenue between Quebec Street and Willow Street, and from Colfax to East 16th Avenue along Rosemary Street.
- What: filling sidewalk gaps and adding ADA-compliant ramps at all intersections.
- The property rights: the city expects to need 39 temporary easements, from 36 residential owners and three commercial owners, totaling about 2,000 square feet. Many of the parcels described in the bill are only a few dozen square feet. The easements give contractors room to stage equipment and work safely next to the sidewalk.
- The money: the project is paid for from the city's Sidewalk Enterprise budget.
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure's sidewalk construction page lists East Colfax segments, including stretches of East 14th Avenue between Quebec and Willow, among sidewalks it expects to build in 2026 and 2027.
Advertisement
What our records add
How it moved. The Finance and Business Committee approved the bill by consent on Oct. 6. The Council ordered it published on Oct. 19 and passed it on Oct. 26 in a block vote, 11-0, with Council Member Amanda Sandoval absent (roll call). The Council President has signed it, and it now awaits the mayor's signature.
What the district's Council member said. On Oct. 19, Council Member Shontel Lewis said she was glad the neighborhood is getting improvements she called long overdue. She said her office would work with the transportation department to make sure residents get adequate notice of construction and that the project has adequate drainage, a lesson she said came from another project (video at 1:07:40).
A busy corridor. The same blocks sit just off East Colfax, where bus rapid transit construction has been underway for two years. On Tuesday, city staff told a Council committee that the grant program for Colfax businesses has enough money to finish that project. See our story on the BIO Fund.
What the ordinance authorizes. The city's request says the project "will require negotiated purchase or condemnation" of property interests as needed, and the ordinance also authorizes the city to negotiate, sign agreements and pay for them.
What's next
- The mayor's signature, then outreach to affected owners.
- Construction timing will be posted on the transportation department's sidewalk updates page.
- Questions about the project can go to your Council member's office. Find yours on the district map.