Seeking new organizations to join the Denver Streets Partnership coalition
The Denver Streets Partnership (DSP) was originally founded in 2016 as a coalition of community groups advocating for people-friendly streets in Denver. Since then, a lot has happened, including some big policy wins, growth in the size of our coalition, and changes in how coalition members work together to maximize our collective impact. We’ve recently updated our coalition structure, and are seeking new organizations to join the movement. Interested organizations can learn more and sign up today by completing this short application form.
In particular, we are looking for nonprofit, private, and philanthropic sector entities with expertise, interest, and work related to DSP’s mission and vision that can:
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- Bring a holistic perspective to the development of DSP policy priorities and campaigns through active engagement of a diverse coalition membership that reflects the makeup of the Denver region and the intersectionality of transportation with other issue areas.
- Elevate and amplify the voices of people and communities that are historically marginalized and disproportionately negatively impacted by transportation policies, such as communities of color and low-income communities.
- Facilitate coordination among mobility advocacy groups focused specifically on walking, biking, or transit.
- Increase the collective power and influence of DSP and DSP coalition members.
Check out the DSP Coalition Governance Memorandum [PDF] for more information about coalition member responsibilities.
Here are just a few of the wins that coalition members have celebrated over the years:
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- In 2017, Denver committed to Vision Zero and set the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030
- In 2017, Denver voters approved more than $280 million in General Obligation Bond funding for sidewalks, bike lanes, transit, and complete streets projects
- In 2019, Denver developed its first-ever transit plan, Denver Moves Transit, and added new dedicated bus lanes to 15th Street and 17th Street downtown
- In 2019, Mayor Hancock committed to building 125 miles of new bike lanes within 5 years
- In 2020, Denver finalized new Complete Street Design Guidelines that prioritize people over the speed and volume of vehicular traffic
- In 2021, Denver City Council passed the 20 is Plenty ordinance, reducing the default speed limit on neighborhood streets from 25 to 20 mph
- In 2022, CDOT removed plans to expand I-25 through central Denver from its 10-year plan, and shifted funding to Bus Rapid Transit projects in the Denver metro area
- In 2022, voters approved the Denver Deserves Sidewalks initiative, creating a permanent funding source for sidewalk construction and repairs citywide
- In 2023, Denver City Council decriminalized jaywalking
The DSP coalition has also gone through several changes over the years, including a merger of the DSP coalition with the Vision Zero coalition (which included many of the same member organizations), and the merger of DSP founding members Bicycle Colorado, WalkDenver, and BikeDenver to form DSP as a fully-staffed division of Bicycle Colorado. Our coalition partners are still essential to our success, and we hope your organization will join us in advocating for the cultural and systemic changes necessary to reduce our city’s unsustainable dependence on cars and to design communities that put people first.
If your organization can’t commit at this time to joining the DSP coalition, there are still a number of ways to engage with our work and stay involved as advocates for a better Denver:
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- Sign up for our bi-weekly email newsletter
- Join and share opportunities to get involved in community activities and actions
- Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
- Fill out our volunteer interest form so we can learn about the kinds of safe streets projects you are interested in helping out with