East Colfax Parking Management Study

What is the purpose of the study?

The purpose of the study is to develop a coordinated approach to managing demand for on- and off-street parking along the East Colfax corridor, and to explore opportunities for additional programs that increase awareness of and access to mobility options, with the goal of maximizing the benefits of bus rapid transit (BRT) and encouraging residents, employees, and visitors to travel the corridor without driving. Consistent with the planned BRT, the study will focus the corridor from Broadway to Yosemite, and from 13th Avenue to 17th Avenue, with a particular focus on the section of Colfax from Broadway to Colorado where parking demand is the greatest, as shown on the map below.

Who is involved?

The Denver Streets Partnership has convened a Steering Committee with representatives from neighborhood associations, business districts, city council members, and public agencies to guide the study, with technical assistance from Sustainable Urban Planning Advisors.  The DSP will seek broader community input from residents, business owners, employees, and visitors to the corridor through surveys and other methods. 

Why is parking management important?

Extensive research has shown that excessive and poorly managed parking increases car ownership and driving, which in turn works against Denver’s goals related to environmental sustainability, equity, safety, and expanded mobility options. The plans for center-running BRT service on East Colfax Avenue include the removal of approximately 300 of the current 970 on-street parking spaces, and omits the construction of park-and-rides on this multimodal corridor. Strategic parking management will therefore be essential for the successful transformation of Colfax into a more transit-oriented corridor, where local businesses can thrive and the majority of trips are made by modes other than driving. As the City builds out a full network of BRT routes connecting neighborhoods across Denver, parking management strategies that prove successful on Colfax can be expanded to other corridors as well.

How does this study relate to other recent planning efforts?

The City and County of Denver recently completed a Curbside Access Management Plan for the area from Broadway to Colorado Boulevard and from 17th Avenue to 13th Avenue. This plan identified strategies for regulating the supply of on-street parking through the designation of loading zones, metered parking, and time-limited parking zones. Recent legislation passed by both Denver and the State Legislature modified parking requirements for new development along Colfax, with the goal of promoting more pedestrian- and transit-friendly development.

The current DSP-led parking management study will build on this work by considering strategies for managing parking demand through mechanisms such as demand-based pricing, as well as coordinated management of existing on- and off-street parking. The study will also explore opportunities to invest parking revenues into programs and projects that increase awareness of and access to mobility options, such as EcoPasses; micromobility (scooter and bike share) subsidies; secure bike parking and other amenities near transit stops; streetscape improvements; and maintenance.

What is the project schedule?

The Steering Committee kicked off the project with an initial meeting in October 2024, and will meet approximately 6 times over a twelve month period, with the goal of finalizing study recommendations by September 2025.