Buses, Sidewalks, and Blue Skies: Your Hilltop April Update
Hilltop Neighborhood News & Updates for April 2026
Your Streets,
Your Say
Join us in welcoming CDOT on April 29th at Graland
The Hilltop Neighborhood Association (HNA) invites you to a community meeting with the Colorado Boulevard BRT Project team on April 29th at 6:00 PM at Graland Country Day School. This is a vital opportunity for Hilltop residents to hear directly from the project members about the proposed bus rapid transit line, station designs, and the impact on our local corridor. As we move closer to the 2026 milestones, your input is essential to ensuring our neighborhood’s needs—from traffic flow to sidewalk improvements—are prioritized.
The team will cover the latest project timelines and answer your questions regarding connectivity and residential access. Whether you have specific concerns or simply want to stay informed about the changes coming to Colorado Boulevard, we encourage you to join the conversation. We look forward to seeing you there!
Denver’s Sidewalk Improvement Program
What’s Next for Hilltop
You may have noticed the new "Sidewalk Service Charge" appearing on your municipal stormwater bills recently. This marks a major shift in how our city maintains its walkways, as Denver takes over the responsibility for sidewalk repairs and builds from individual homeowners.
We’ve put together a full breakdown of what this means for Hilltop, including how the $150 annual fee is calculated and how the city is prioritizing which streets get repaired first. Click here to read the full article to stay informed on the timeline and learn how you can provide feedback on the city’s upcoming work plans.
Unlocking Housing Choices
What it is and what it could mean for Hilltop
Denver's "Unlocking Housing Choices" proposal seeks to introduce duplexes and fourplexes into neighborhoods traditionally reserved for single-family homes. The HNA is currently investigating the long-term impacts of this measure, specifically whether the city’s proposed 'protections' are sufficient to prevent over-development. We remain in close contact with the city's Community Panning Department to voice our concerns regarding increased density without guaranteed infrastructure upgrades and to advocate for a more tailored, neighborhood-led approach to the housing issue. HNA is working with the City to arrange to have the proposal presented at our next Board meeting on May 12th. If that isn’t possible, we hope to have a community wide meeting sometime next month.
Denver in Drought
Mandatory Watering Restrictions Now in Effect
Due to historically low snow pack, Denver Water has declared a Stage 1 Drought. This means we are now limited to a two-day-per-week watering schedule, and "drought pricing" is being implemented to encourage conservation. We’ve posted a full guide on the HNA website detailing your specific watering days and tips for keeping your landscape healthy while saving water. Read more and get the watering rules here.
New Traffic Signal Coming to Alameda
East Alameda Ave. and South Forest St. will get an upgrade thanks to the Denver Vibrant Bonds
A safer intersection is on the way! Starting in Q3 2026, construction will begin on a new traffic signal at the intersection of E. Alameda Avenue and S. Forest Street.
This project aims to significantly improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Key upgrades include:
Dedicated Turn Lanes: New left-turn lanes will be added within the existing median to streamline traffic flow.
Streamlined Roadway: RTD bus pull-out lanes will be removed to optimize the intersection layout.
Enhanced Safety: The signalization is designed to reduce accidents and create a more predictable environment for all commuters.
We’ll keep you updated as the project moves forward!
We’re Getting the Lead Out
Denver Water will be working on some blocks this summer at no cost to residents
This summer, Denver Water will be working in our neighborhood as part of its Lead Reduction Program. The goal is to replace old, customer-owned lead service lines—the primary source of lead in drinking water—with new, lead-free copper lines at no direct charge to residents. Currently Denver Water expects construction to start between Colorado Blvd. and N. Dahlia St. and 6th Ave. and 1st. Ave. Residents will receive a packet from Denver Water prior to construction if you have been identified for replacement. You must sign and return the consent form before any work can begin on your property.
What to Expect
The Process: Most replacements take about 4 to 8 hours. During this time, your water will be temporarily shut off.
The Cleanup: Crews will handle the excavation and initial backfill. Restoration of sidewalks, curbs, and asphalt typically occurs 1 to 3 weeks after the pipe is replaced.
Inside Access: An adult (18+) must be present, as crews will need access to the water meter and the point where the service line enters your home.
Staying Safe
While you wait for your replacement, please continue to use the water pitchers and filters provided by Denver Water for drinking, cooking, and preparing infant formula. You can also use your own filters in refrigerators and the like, just make sure lead filtering is listed! After the replacement, you should follow the specific 30-day flushing instructions provided by the crew to clear any remaining sediment from your internal plumbing.
Check Your Status: You can view the interactive construction map at denverwater.org/Pipes to see the specific timing for your block.
If you have questions or haven't received your water testing kit yet, you can contact Denver Water Customer Care at 303-893-2444.
Membership Benefits Coming!
Become an HNA member today!
The Hilltop Neighborhood Association is hard at work re-imagining our membership benefits for the upcoming year. While we aren’t ready to pull back the curtain just yet, our goal is to provide even more value to the neighbors who make our community so vibrant.
We are exploring every avenue to make your HNA membership more impactful, ranging from local perks with neighborhood partners to enhanced community resources. These refreshed benefits are being designed as a special "thank you" to our dues-paying members who directly invest in our mission and help fund the neighborhood’s growth.
As always, the HNA remains dedicated to advocating for the interests of all residents, from neighborhood safety to local initiatives and neighborhood events. We can’t wait to share the full details with you soon.
Keep a close eye on your inbox for the official rollout of our new benefits. If you aren't already a member, join today to ensure you don’t miss out on what’s in store!
Sign Up to Volunteer at Spring Community Clean-Up Day
Robinson Park is one of the clean up spots this round
Denver City Council District 5 residents are coming together to revitalize our cherished public spaces during Spring Community Clean-Up Dayon Sunday, April 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Montclair Recreation Center. This biannual event invites residents of all ages to join forces and help beautify our local parks, trails, and bus stops. Volunteers will refresh parks and trails by removing trash and debris, clearing overgrown vegetation, maintaining walking paths, and brightening bus benches with a fresh coat of paint–enhancing both the appearance and usability of public spaces.
The locations rotate for each clean up, and this year Robinson Park is on the list! Sign up to help keep Robinson, and our entire neighborhood and district, clean!
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Join Stroll Magazine for a fun, feel-good afternoon celebrating women and wellness at Le Suite Spot. Enjoy complimentary education and awareness on hormone health & balance, mini makeup glow- ups, beauty treatments such as hair, massage, waxing, B12 boosts, cocktails/mocktails, lite bites, giveaways, and more!
Come sip, learn, connect, and leave glowing!
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Join the Hilltop Neighborhood Association (HNA) for a community meeting with the Colorado Boulevard BRT Project team on April 29th at 6:00 PM at Graland Country Day School. As we approach critical 2026 milestones, this is your chance to hear directly from project members about proposed station designs, traffic flow, and sidewalk improvements along our local corridor. Whether you have specific questions regarding residential access or simply want to stay informed on the future of Colorado Boulevard, your input is vital to ensuring Hilltop’s needs are prioritized—we look forward to seeing you there!
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The Furry Scurry is a fun-filled festival and two-mile dog walk to benefit the animals at Humane Colorado. Every step you take and dollar you raise will make a lasting difference for the animals in our care. Can’t join in person? Our Friends from Afar option lets you support animals from anywhere.
For more events in our neighborhood, check out our events page!
Help Spot Neighborhood Issues With 311 Thursdays
Call or text in an issue, problem, or complaint every Thursday
Pothole on 6th you keep seeing and hitting? Graffiti in the ally? Report it to 311! Not only will this help the City know where problems are, it will generate needed data to show how the City can best allocate its resources to make our neighborhood safer!
You can use Denver’s online portal 24/7 or dial/text 311 Monday - Friday 7AM to 7PM.
Learn more about upcoming neighborhood projects or subscribe to the District 5 Newsletter courtesy of Amanda Sawyer.
Find the councilwoman’s latest newsletter here.
Want to Spotlight Your Business in Hilltop?
Have a business you want to promote? Looking to connect with your local community?
Become a Hilltop Neighborhood Sponsor! Get your brand in front of engaged neighbors.
We’re looking for local partners who want to give back, get involved, and grow visibility in one of Denver’s most vibrant communities.
Let’s team up and make Hilltop even better.
Contact us to learn how you can help.
