Colorado Boulevard BRT: What We Know So Far, and How Hilltop Can Engage
The Colorado Boulevard BRT (bus rapid transit) is a proposed high-frequency bus line along Colorado Boulevard between I-70 and Hampden Avenue. Like the Colfax Avenue BRT, it would include dedicated bus lanes, which would reduce general traffic lanes by one in each direction. This $300M project, part of the broader Denver Metro BRT program, aims for faster transit service, safety improvements along a high-injury corridor, and enhanced sidewalks/crossings for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and cyclists. Planners are currently evaluating design options, including dedicated lane placement, so key Hilltop impacting details remain under study.
Why this matters to Hilltop
Hilltop sits just east of a critical stretch of Colorado Boulevard, and many of us rely on this corridor for trips to Cherry Creek, I‑70, downtown, and destinations farther south. Any changes to lane configurations, turn lanes, or signal timing could affect how easily we can get to and from the neighborhood, and may influence if, and where, drivers choose to cut through on residential streets. At the same time, the project aims to add safer crossings and more comfortable sidewalks, which could benefit neighbors, especially children, older adults, and those with limited mobility who walk or take transit along or across Colorado Boulevard.
Potential impacts we’re watching
From a Hilltop perspective, there are several key themes the board is watching closely as the project evolves:
Traffic and cut‑through patterns: If general‑purpose lanes are repurposed for transit or other uses, congestion in peak periods could increase, which may push more drivers onto neighborhood streets unless carefully managed with design and traffic‑calming measures.
Access to and from the neighborhood: Changes to turn lanes, medians, or intersection layouts at key east‑west streets—such as 6th, 8th, and 11th—could change how we access Colorado Boulevard and how long those trips take.
Safety along Colorado: Because Colorado Boulevard is part of Denver’s “high‑injury network,” the project team has emphasized reducing serious crashes for all users, which could bring meaningful safety upgrades near our edges.
Property and driveway impacts: More aggressive concepts that would have required widespread driveway closures and significant property acquisition have already been screened out as too disruptive and costly, but smaller‑scale access changes remain on the table that could impact neighbors on Colorado Boulevard
Where the project is in the process
The project is currently in an alternatives analysis and environmental review phase, where different design options are being studied for their transportation performance, safety benefits, and potential impacts. As part of this process, the project team has discussed plans for public meetings and open houses tied to major milestones, for example, sharing the screened alternatives and then the preferred alternative, along with associated comment periods. These meetings are expected to include opportunities for residents to review maps and concepts, ask questions, and submit feedback on specific elements that could affect neighborhoods like Hilltop. Currently, no public engagement sessions are scheduled.
How the Hilltop association is responding
Our neighborhood association is currently in an information‑gathering and listening mode. We recognize that this project could bring both benefits and challenges, and we want any future position we take to be grounded in a clear understanding of the facts and informed by input from our residents. To that end, board members are:
Following the project’s official updates and technical materials to understand the range of alternatives and their implications on Hilltop and our neighbors.
Identifying specific questions about traffic, safety, and neighborhood access that are particularly relevant to Hilltop and our neighbors.
Exploring opportunities to coordinate with nearby neighborhoods and stakeholder representatives who share an interest in this corridor.
A possible neighborhood‑level meeting
In addition to encouraging residents to participate in the regional public process, the board is exploring the idea of hosting a dedicated Hilltop‑focused meeting with representatives from the project team. The goal would be to create a forum where neighbors can hear directly from project staff, ask questions specific to Hilltop, and share concerns or ideas related to our streets and access points. If we move forward with such a meeting, we will share details about the date, time, and format through our usual communication channels so that as many neighbors as possible have the chance to attend.
If you are interested in attending this type of meeting, please take a moment to reply to this survey!
How you can stay involved
As the project progresses, individual residents can play an important role by staying informed and participating in public comment opportunities. Here are a few ways to do that:
Watch for announcements of public meetings and open houses focused on the Colorado Boulevard BRT, and attend when you are able. (https://www.codot.gov/projects/studies/denvermetrobrt/coloradoblvd)
Submit written comments during official comment periods, especially if you have specific observations about safety, access, or cut‑through traffic in and around Hilltop.
Share your questions and perspectives with the Hilltop neighborhood association so we can reflect a broad cross‑section of neighbor experiences in our ongoing conversations with project representatives.
As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates and highlight key decision points where Hilltop voices can make the most difference.
