Denver Streets Partnership Policy Platform

The Denver Streets Partnership (DSP) is a coalition of community-based organizations advocating for people-friendly streets in Denver. We work to make Denver a safer, more connected and livable city for everyone. To fulfill this vision, the DSP strongly supports the following policies:

Funding

Dedicate sufficient, sustainable funding to build out the complete pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks identified in the Denver Moves Plans within 20 years. At current funding levels, building out these networks would take more than 100 years.

Safety

Continue commitment to the Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by the year 2030, backed up by street safety improvements focused on the High Injury Network and in Communities of Concern
Use low-cost interim design treatments to make rapid safety improvements throughout Denver
Reduce default speed limits citywide to 20 mph for local streets and 25 mph for collectors and arterials
Expand use of automated enforcement (red light and speed cameras), a proven technique used
worldwide to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities, which when deployed effectively actually results in fewer citations as safer driving behaviors become the norm

Complete Streets

Update street design standards to reinforce safe speeds, encourage walking, biking, and public transit use, and provide accessibility to all regardless of age, income, physical ability, race or neighborhood.
Reallocate public street space to put people first and prioritize safety and multimodal options over
vehicular throughput and parking
Integrate safety improvements into routine paving and other maintenance operations

Equity

Coordinate housing and transportation policies and investments to maximize the number of people who can rely on affordable transportation options, and prevent the displacement of residents who stand to benefit the most from improved transportation options
Eliminate parking minimums and single family zoning, to address the need for more diverse and
affordable housing options, particularly along transit corridors identified in the Denver Moves Transit plan.

Denver Streets Partnership Transit Principles

Approved by the Denver Streets Partnership Steering Committee February 5, 2021

Denver needs transit that is:

Equitable. America’s car-based transportation system erects barriers to mobility that reinforce long-term social inequities. Transit investment must remove these barriers and prioritize the needs of Black, brown, and low-income people who stand to gain the most from better service. Studies produced by RTD and other organizations show that transit that prioritizes high ridership also tends to benefit these populations the most.

Sustainable. Transportation is a top contributor to climate change and air pollution. We must reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Transit investment should expand access to frequent and reliable bus and train service so transit ridership increases as a share of total travel. Investments should be made in zero emissions transit vehicles to further reduce environmental impacts.

Supported by land use policies that foster density. Density near transit corridors maximizes the number of people who can access the service and use it on a regular basis, which expands the benefit of existing and future transit investments. Two of the most significant household expenses are housing and transportation. Dense development, including affordable housing units, near transit ensures people who need it the most have access and can significantly reduce transportation costs for cost-burdened households.

Safe. There are a number of factors that make transit unsafe for passengers and operators, including dangerous streets, discriminatory policing, poor lighting, and spread of disease. Transit investments related to safety must go beyond the safety of the transit vehicles and consider the entire transit experience of individual passengers and operators.

Accessible. From the time someone sets out for a trip using transit there are a number of barriers that limit accessibility of the service, including inadequate or nonexistent sidewalks, substandard transit stops, and payment and wayfinding systems that are complex to navigate. Investments in transit should expand beyond traditional operating costs like staff, vehicles, and service to include infrastructure that addresses barriers to accessing transit service.

Affordable. Access to transit should never be contingent on one’s ability to pay. Transit investment should establish programs that provide low cost or free transit service for everyone who needs it.

Reliable. Investments should be made in infrastructure and transit operations that ensure service is consistently fast and frequent at any time of day so that passengers aren’t left guessing when the next bus will arrive, or worse, stranded without a ride.

Stay Connected with the Denver Streets Partnership

Important Resources

The Denver Streets Partnership strongly encourages all candidates for City Office to review the following resources to inform their positions on the planning, funding, design, and management of Denver’s streets.

Denver Streets Partnership Resources

City and County of Denver Resources

National Resources

The Denver Streets Partnership Steering Committee includes representatives from Bicycle Colorado, WalkDenver, All In Denver, American Heart Association, Colorado Public Interest Research Group, Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, Groundwork Denver, and Mile High Connects.

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