Narrow sidewalks, sidewalk ramps & raised curbs along sidewalks with Colfax BRT Project

[Bryan Wilson]

Maybe all of you will have better luck getting answers from the Colfax BRT team and our council members than I have...

Go look at every Redevelopment along Colfax focusing on the sidewalk width and the ramp widths. 

Now compare those to these... 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXh_BxJkZS4/?igsh=MTAxbm40NnhjcmhoNw==

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXuKdU8kTdf/?igsh=anh6MjU0emljYnF4

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXXL54KkfOT/?igsh=MWRzbXd0djl5czhoMQ==

I just don't understand why the 8-ft sidewalk and ramp widths apply to Redevelopments, but not DOTI with the Colfax BRT project. 

The City of Denver Complete Streets Design Guidelines specifically call out Colfax as having a minimum of 8 ft wide sidewalks. 

Why aren't we doing that everywhere and why doesn't that also apply to the sidewalk ramps?

https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Complete-Streets

Worth noting that bikes and scooters are permitted to be ridden on sidewalks when arriving to their destinations, which is why it's even more of an issue when those narrow sidewalks are located at the future BRT Stations or immediately off of intersections or alleyway entrances. 

Who's liable when a rider crashes as a result of clipping one of these curbs?

Perhaps I'm hyper aware of it because I struck one on 15th Street when exiting the roadway to catch a bus. I rolled into the planter and also pinched my bike tube, but didn't know it until later.

They are super dangerous and shouldn't be there. Plus from a drainage standpoint, they block water from flowing off the sidewalk into the tree lawn and prevent snow from being shoveled effectively from the sidewalk into the tree lawn. 

I think it's a concern that could easily be addressed simply by not installing raised curbs along sidewalks, ESPECIALLY on the same side as the roadway. Many installations are flush with the grade of the sidewalk and every other should be installed the same way. 

Thank you in advance for addressing this issue while simultaneously documenting it as well. 

Respectfully,

Bryan Wilson 

[Bryan Wilson]

OK, thanks for nothing, Frank.

If anyone else is confused, just look at ANY of the redevelopments in Denver. NONE of them have narrow sidewalk ramps. They ALL have wide ramps that are also in line with the new sidewalks.

I'm not talking about instances where buildings are in the way...
Anyone who actually clicked on the links & watched the videos will see that not a single one of my examples had a building that was an issue. Any issue was created by the design of the project.

That brings me to my next point. 
They've been installing EXTRA & WASTEFUL things at some intersections that obstruct the installation of the ramps.
1.) Beg buttons or traffic signals in poor locations. You do know that we don't NEED beg buttons, right? The signal could just automatically cycle to a pedestrian phase.
2.) The Raised Tree Planters are also an unnecessary expense. It would have been cheaper & require less concrete to just install them flush with the adjacent sidewalk. Not to mention the fact that they now limit the water naturally flowing into them, which will then require more irrigation at a greater cost for installation & water.
3.) Do you know anyone who is visually impaired? Forcing them to constantly zig-zag when it is unnecessary makes it more difficult to navigate our sidewalks AND potentially creates hazards for them.

There are no issues with geometry. There are no issues with funding.
The issues I'm referring to were all created by the "hundreds of experts" who were likely only created by the few working on a specific geographic area.

As for participation...
Does anyone want to tell him?
Frankly, Frank, I'm offended. Just because you didn't see me, that doesn't mean I wasn't there. I didn't see you at any of the online meetings for the BlueBird District... Why didn't you participate?

I pointed out the problems.
Others agree, including lawyers.

I did my part, & I suggested you do yours. You not only said, No. You said, "It is acceptable."

Obviously, we disagree.

I'll make some videos illustrating my points, since you don't have any time to notice while walking the streets yourself.

Best,
- Bryan

On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 4:09 PM Frank Locantore <fr...@colfaxave.com> wrote:

Hi Bryan,

I'm afraid that I don't have the boundless resources of time that is required by your request to look at "all the redevs on Colfax and compare..." My board of directors and our ratepayers are who I'm answerable to and they have identified other priorities for me.

Most, if not all of us have spent significant time over the last 5-10 years providing input as the BRT project was planned. Countless meetings, drawings, and revisions have occurred, and I'll assume that many on your list have provided input. We've expanded sidewalks in some areas of Colfax and provided input on other adjustments.

Only so much can "fit" in the fixed and finite geometry of building faces, lane widths, sidewalk widths, patios, underground utilities, etc.

You are asking us to do more of what we have already done over the last decade. The concrete has been, or is being poured based upon hundreds of experts working on a very challenging project. I believe that most of us are able to concede gracefully where we did not get what we hoped for (I have a list of disappointments, myself). And, we can be grateful that we made the adjustments that we felt were in the community's best interests.

The project is 18-months in. The results so far are quite good. They are not perfect, but neither is the grammar in my email. Hopefully we all can live with both. 

If we all were not limited by geometry, time, and funding, perhaps we could discuss all the things that you have time to bring up. But, we don't. I don't feel bad about it at all. We are getting a great BRT system, hundreds of new trees, an irrigation system to support the new landscaping, and a street that will be quieter, less-polluting, more-safe, greater accessibility for transit riders, and more.

Sure, I'd like more. In a community striving to create the greatest good for the largest number of people, this project is top-tier in accomplishing that goal. The next time a capital improvement project of this magnitude happens, it would be good if you participated at an earlier stage.

Best,

-Frank

Frank Locantore (he / him)

Colfax Ave Business Improvement District

Executive Director

Phone: 303-832-2086 ext. 1

[Frank Locantore]

Hi Bryan,

I'm afraid that I don't have the boundless resources of time that is required by your request to look at "all the redevs on Colfax and compare..." My board of directors and our ratepayers are who I'm answerable to and they have identified other priorities for me.

Most, if not all of us have spent significant time over the last 5-10 years providing input as the BRT project was planned. Countless meetings, drawings, and revisions have occurred, and I'll assume that many on your list have provided input. We've expanded sidewalks in some areas of Colfax and provided input on other adjustments.

Only so much can "fit" in the fixed and finite geometry of building faces, lane widths, sidewalk widths, patios, underground utilities, etc.

You are asking us to do more of what we have already done over the last decade. The concrete has been, or is being poured based upon hundreds of experts working on a very challenging project. I believe that most of us are able to concede gracefully where we did not get what we hoped for (I have a list of disappointments, myself). And, we can be grateful that we made the adjustments that we felt were in the community's best interests.

The project is 18-months in. The results so far are quite good. They are not perfect, but neither is the grammar in my email. Hopefully we all can live with both. 

If we all were not limited by geometry, time, and funding, perhaps we could discuss all the things that you have time to bring up. But, we don't. I don't feel bad about it at all. We are getting a great BRT system, hundreds of new trees, an irrigation system to support the new landscaping, and a street that will be quieter, less-polluting, more-safe, greater accessibility for transit riders, and more.

Sure, I'd like more. In a community striving to create the greatest good for the largest number of people, this project is top-tier in accomplishing that goal. The next time a capital improvement project of this magnitude happens, it would be good if you participated at an earlier stage.

Best,

-Frank

Frank Locantore (he / him)

Colfax Ave Business Improvement District

Executive Director

Phone: 303-832-2086 ext. 1

On Wed, Apr 29, 2026 at 1:10 PM Bryan Wilson <bryan...@gmail.com> wrote: