Re: [EXTERNAL] Sidewalk installation guidelines at alleyways

[Bryan Wilson]

Hello again,

Requesting information regarding what is required of the contractors installing alleyway entrance aprons. 

It seems to me that they should consistently be required to install new aprons back to the corner property markers and a smooth connection to the adjacent sidewalks. 

Can someone please confirm what is required of them? 

Respectfully,

Bryan Wilson 

On Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 11:58 AM Bryan Wilson <bryan...@gmail.com> wrote:

Please see the linked video & share with the DOTI Advisory Board & Mayor's Pedestrian Advisory Committee so they're aware that the alleyway entrance replacement projects should extend to the corner property markers & not the back of the sidewalk.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSqA3Y9EcJx/?igsh=MTFmaWdxMm9rcnpwag==

This is worth knowing for our respective areas so that we can make sure these are being installed correctly.

The Right-of-Way Markers are usually 15ft back from the front of the curb, but this can vary on different street types.

I've located several discrepancies & I'm sure there are many more.

Thank you in advance for your help to address this issue with DOTI & the respective subcontractors.

Respectfully,

Bryan Wilson 

On Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 10:05 AM Bryan Wilson <bryan...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thank you. Still requesting the guidelines & for those to be shared with the DOTI Advisory Board.

I think it's reasonable to expect all alleyway pans to be reinstalled back to the corner property markers and for that funding to be independent of Denver Deserves Sidewalks.

Can someone please confirm that's the case and identify themselves as to who is making that confirmation? 

Thank you in advance. 

Respectfully,

Bryan Wilson 

On Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 10:00 AM Denver 311 <3...@denvergov.org> wrote:

Mr. Wilson,

These alleypans were marked for possible work in the neighborhood.  The contract has run out of money and these will not be fixed at this time.  The inspector that made the marks realized his mistake in how he painted them and even though the work won't be done at this time, he has repainted to encompass the full width of the alley.

Thank you for contacting 311


--------------- Original Message ---------------
From: Bryan Wilson [bryan...@gmail.com]
Sent: 12/15/2025, 10:28 AM
To: 3...@denvergov.org
Cc: side...@denvergov.org; dot...@denvergov.org; in...@denverstreetspartnership.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Sidewalk installation guidelines at alleyways
 

Hello, Please see the markings for sidewalk removal and reinstallation at these consecutive alleyway entrances along 7th Avenue East of Washington.?  Shouldn't alleyway crossings be repaired the same way?  One looks to be planned to be installed

 

Hello,

 

Please see the markings for sidewalk removal and reinstallation at these consecutive alleyway entrances along 7th Avenue East of Washington. 

 

Shouldn't alleyway crossings be repaired the same way? 

 

One looks to be planned to be installed flush with the back edge of the sidewalk, while the other looks to be installed flush with the front property lines. 

 

What are the installation guidelines for the alleyway crossings? 

(Redacted for size)

Thank you in advance for any information you're able to provide to me and the DOTI Advisory Board.

 

Respectfully,

Bryan Wilson 

 

thread::6C0ZYmsdeAiLye2beH1aQzY::

[Bryan Wilson]

Redacted some image for size.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Bryan Wilson <bryan...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 12:19 PM
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Sidewalk installation guidelines at alleyways - 311 Case 10916171
To: Denver 311 <3...@denvergov.org>, DOTI Sidewalks <side...@denvergov.org>
Cc: City of Denver <cityof...@googlegroups.com>, DOTI Advisory Board <DOT...@denvergov.org>, <kayla.z...@denvergov.org>, <in...@denverstreetspartnership.org>, <side...@denvergov.org>

Thank you for your response...
To whom am I speaking?

I'm still asking what is being required of the sub-contractors & why that isn't the same everywhere.

Here is why it is important...
- Most alleyways WERE concrete & now just have a thin layer of asphalt on top. The result is old asphalt cracking & chipping off over time, making it extremely difficult to clear that space of snow & ice. Clearing PRIOR to the sidewalk crossing of snow & ice is important so that the north-facing entrances don't freeze over, which then creates an ice dam across the sidewalk. This happens after EVERY snow storm & is a HUGE mobility issue, especially when near bus stops.

- You stated in your response, "its just as reasonable for alleyway aprons to be set to back of sidewalk..." I've observed installations that stop at the front of the sidewalks or are being skipped entirely. So, to your point, why aren't those sidewalk connections being installed the same way?

- DOTI is responsible for the ENTIRE alleyway, are you not? As such, wouldn't it be a long term savings to repair the alleyway entrances now with concrete back to where the former expansion joint was located? Vehicles put excess force on the asphalt here, slowing/stopping before the sidewalk. This then causes that thin layer of asphalt to get pulled away from the concrete underneath.

- The entrance curb is also something that needs to be included when these entrances are reinstalled. In the sample, below it wasn't.

- The adjacent Property owners are generally ignorant about where their property begins and ends. Installing alleyway entrance aprons back to the corner property markers will help to educate these property owners. Ideally, this will help prevent future encroachments to the public right of way and in turn also help the sidewalk program.

Here is an example of what I mean by the concrete pulling off & the visible expansion joint below. Reinstalling it there means that the concrete wouldn't even need to be cut, just the thin layer of asphalt that is usually already cracked.

(Removed for size)

Can you please go back to the team & re-evaluate?

Yes, it's slightly more expensive now, but better for everyone & the right thing to do.

If not, can you please send teams out to inspect & clear every north-facing alleyway crossing after a snow storm?
I used to clear all the crossings along 12th Ave in Congress Park, and no firsthand how difficult it is to clear snow from uneven alleyway crossings.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Respectfully,
Bryan Wilson

On Fri, Feb 20, 2026 at 11:31 AM Denver 311 <3...@denvergov.org> wrote:

Bryan Wilson,

DOTI standards make no distinction as to how far back alley aprons go, so long as it is safely traversable. As such, its just as reasonable for alleyway aprons to be set to back of sidewalk as it is corner of property. From a financial perspective, there's less benefit in extending the apron and increasing the cost 10-20% for one apron than there is to having more aprons, ADA Ramps or other critical work getting completed instead. 

[Bryan Wilson]

Hello again,

Here's a specific example I came across today while walking my dogs.

It helps to illustrate my concern with alleyway entrances and why we need to ensure that we are providing uniform guidelines to our subcontractors. 

This is along 16th Avenue in the Colfax Avenue Business Improvement District of District 10.

There are several issues at play here. 

Notice how at this installation the apron wasn't even installed to the back of the sidewalk, but the other issue is the old flagstone curbs that are also uneven making this difficult or perhaps impossible to cross in a wheelchair. 

If there are no guidelines, then I'm requesting for them to be drafted, approved, and then provided to the subcontractors.

Since DOTI Is responsible for all of the public right of way, I see no reason why we shouldn't consistently install these back to the corner of property markers. We should go a step further and make sure that they are flush with the surrounding grade and not have any trip hazards. Unfortunately, some of these are being installed with raised corners that make entering and exiting the sidewalk dangerous for pedestrians or potentially somebody riding a bike or scooter. We need to make sure we put a stop to those installations as well.

Thank you in advance for addressing this issue. 

Respectfully,

Bryan Wilson 

Thank you in advance for your help with this issue.