Denver’s sidewalk repair initiative could face big changes before it’s implemented

By Meghan Lopez, Denver7

DENVER — It was a clear mandate from Denver voters, a mandate for city council to repair and improve sidewalks.

In November, residents voted 56% to 44% to move the burden for sidewalk repairs away from homeowners and to the city itself.

“This was an opportunity for the voters to take it in their own hands and tell city leaders this is something that’s important to us, and we want the city to take action.,” said Jill Locantore, the executive director of the Denver Streets Partnership.

The projects will be paid for through a fee on property owners that the city would then leverage into bonds to pay for the projects. The fees would be based on how much of a person’s land faces a street, as well as the type of street.

Denver Streets Partnership has said it would cost homeowners an average of $107 per year and that low-income households would get a discount, with the hopes the project could be done in nine years. But the city estimates it would actually take more than 27 years to make all the improvements.

First, though, it will be up to the Denver Department of Transportation to work with a citizen oversight board on an implementation plan. They will then present their final plan to city council for approval.