2022 is just about in the books, and it’s been a year to remember. I’m proud of our small but mighty team for the incredible work they’ve put into improving Denver for people. We’d like to share with you a recap of some of our favorite moments of the year.
Jill Locantore
Executive Director, The Denver Streets Partnership
Policy wins for better sidewalks and transit
2022 was largely about sidewalks for the Denver Streets Partnership. After years of advocating for better, well-kept sidewalks for Denverites, we took it further. After collecting nearly 20,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot and more than 50 endorsements from local businesses and organizations, we were thrilled to see Denver Deserves Sidewalks, AKA Initiated Ordinance 307, pass on Election Day!
Another exciting feat from the year involved a major change to the Colorado Department of Transportation’s 10-year plan. Funding that was originally intended for an I-25 lane expansion project through central Denver that would impact the Valverde and Sun Valley neighborhoods was shifted to focus on Bus Rapid Transit efforts, thanks in part to a letter sent by our coalition back in March.
This year, we also lobbied for the passage of State Bill 22-180. The bill’s success led to the Regional Transportation District (RTD)’s Zero Fare for Better Air program, which afforded transit users across the Denver Metro Area free service for the entire month of August. The significant increase in ridership throughout the month clearly showed that people want and need more efficient and available transit.
Building the power of the people
It was a year of new initiatives for our organizing team. For eight weeks in the fall, DSP hosted a Better Buses, Better Cities book club to chat about how to advocate for better bus transit in Denver. We even had a Q&A session with author Steven Higashide! Stay tuned for details about the next book club in Spring 2023.
In the spring, DSP trained 18 Denver Metro Area residents in our eight-week Advocacy Academy. Through classes and field work, trainees learned about the most effective strategies for improving the safety of our streets and how to advocate for better transit, sidewalks, and bike lanes in their neighborhoods.
During RTD’s Zero Fare for Better Air initiative, we worked with organizations to build our new Transit Champs program, which empowered everyday transit users to create community events and a positive narrative around public transportation and to build awareness and momentum for RTD’s initiative.
We hit the streets on multiple occasions at local bus stops and train stations to engage with the community and chat with riders. We encouraged them to give feedback on RTD’s proposed fare changes in their Fare and Pass Study and to join in on our advocacy efforts, and provided additional transit resources.
Championing neighborhood initiatives
Photo credit: Rob Toftness
This year’s microgrant program in collaboration with the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Denver Community Active Living Coalition (CALC) received 120 applicants—72 of which were funded, including murals, park clean-ups, community gardens, and more!
In September, we celebrated Park(ing) Day. In partnership with our friends at Denver CALC and the Downtown Denver Partnership, we collaborated with the community to set up pop-up parklets for people to enjoy and participate in at three flagship locations in downtown Denver.
DSP also supported West Denver Rising’s 2022 Denver International Marketplaces initiative, a series of events activating underutilized spaces and celebrating the rich cultures of Sun Valley, West Colfax, Westwood, South Federal, and Little Saigon. Check out the recap video on Vimeo.
Art-based placemaking and community wayfinding was also a priority for our outreach team this year. We collaborated on several art installations in 2022 with community organizations and local artists, one of our favorites being the intersection mural at 25th Avenue and Eliot Street in the Jefferson Park neighborhood—created by artist Anthony Garcia—which celebrated the 10th anniversary of our 2012 Better Block Jefferson Park demonstration project!
Looking ahead to 2023
Throughout the year, our team connected with thousands of individuals to make a positive impact on residents across the entire city, and we couldn’t be more excited to take these efforts into 2023! Here are a few things to look forward to:
- 2023 will be another big election year for Denver, with voters choosing a new Mayor and several new City Council members. We’ve already released our 2023 Election Policy Platform and will be working hard over the next few months to focus candidates’ attention on the importance of people-friendly streets, and help voters understand where the candidates stand on these issues.
- We are excited to partner with the Downtown Denver Partnership on a series of open streets events that will be the largest demonstration yet of what’s possible when we reimagine how street space can be used for people and not just cars.
- We’ll continue to fight for the policies and investments needed to create truly people-friendly streets where walking, biking, and transit are safe and convenient ways to get around, and no one dies just trying to get around Denver.
Thank you to our DSP supporters!
We are so proud of the work achieved by our DSP team in 2022, but undeniably, so much of our success is due to you—our community of donors, advocates, volunteers, and voices who provide consistent feedback and support with each new challenge we face. There’s still so much change to be made, and we hope you’ll continue the fight with us for years to come. THANK YOU! Happy holidays!
