Three Montbello intersections near Peoria Street are in line for safety changes. Here's what's planned

Drivers, walkers and bus riders around Peoria Street in Montbello could see new traffic signals and turn restrictions next year under a $2.1 million construction contract on the Mayor-Council agenda Tuesday (agenda).

The contract comes as Denver is trying to bring down traffic deaths. The city recorded 93 traffic deaths in 2025, a record, up from 80 the year before, the Denver Gazette reported. The city tracks this year's count on its Vision Zero statistics page.

What's planned

Resolution 26-1522 would hire Chato's Concrete for up to $2,099,563.50 to build safety improvements at three intersections in Council District 8, represented by Shontel Lewis (Legistar). The work would take about 300 days from the notice to proceed. The project's name refers to the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program.

According to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure's request:

• Peoria Street and 44th Avenue: The raised median would be changed to stop eastbound left turns, and a partial signal would give northbound drivers a protected left turn.
• Peoria Street and 46th Avenue: A new standard traffic signal, plus new ADA curb ramps and sidewalk work, with some median removed.
• 47th Avenue and Paris Street: 47th Avenue would be widened near Paris Street, with a raised median. Drivers on southbound Paris would be limited to right turns in and out, and left turns from 47th onto Paris would be blocked.

The request says the contractor was chosen through a competitive process and has worked for the city before.

What our records add

The city flagged it weeks ago. At the Oct. 6 Mayor-Council meeting, a DOTI staff member previewed the Peoria signal improvements at 44th and 46th and described the area as very pedestrian- and school-heavy (video at 24:40).

It cleared committee on consent. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the contract by consent Oct. 21, our records show.

Speed cameras are the other half of the city's push. A bill to update Denver's automated traffic camera rules, 26-1435, was on the Council's Oct. 26 agenda for introduction (Legistar). The Health and Safety Committee advanced it Oct. 14 after postponing it a week. Denver7 reported that the committee vote came as debate continues over ticket revenue and fairness. Our earlier story has the details.

What's next

• Oct. 27: Mayor-Council reviews the Peoria contract.
• Then the full Council. As a resolution, it could be adopted on a consent vote unless a member calls it out.
• Speed cameras: If the bill was introduced Oct. 26 as scheduled, a final vote could come as soon as Nov. 2. Check the meetings page.