Hilltop Is Heating Up: Hot Topics Include BRT and Zoning
Hilltop Neighborhood News & Updates for July 2026
Community Update: Our Stance on the Proposed Colorado Boulevard BRT
HNA has taken an official position on BRT
The Hilltop Neighborhood Association has officially released a position paper outlining our formal opposition to the proposed Colorado Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in its current form. While we support efficient regional transit, the current proposals present severe risks to our neighborhood's safety, traffic flow, and local economy.
Here is a summary of the core concerns and arguments presented by the Board of Directors on June 23, 2026:
Severe Traffic Spillover & Neighborhood Safety Risks: Two of the current BRT proposals involve eliminating existing general travel lanes, which CDOT data indicates could double travel times along this 7-mile stretch. This catastrophic gridlock on Colorado Blvd. will inevitably force thousands of regional commuters to seek bypass routes through our quiet residential streets, such as Monaco Parkway and Holly Street. This traffic diversion poses a direct safety risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and students at nearby campuses like Hill-Steck and Graland Country Day School.
Declining Ridership & Fiscal Concerns: RTD's current data shows a measurable downturn in ridership on Route 40 (the main line for this corridor), likely due to a permanent shift toward remote and hybrid work. Given RTD's structural budget deficits and ongoing scheduling delays, dedicating fixed infrastructure to a corridor with diminishing demand is a highly risky investment. Furthermore, the project would cut the number of bus stops roughly in half, increasing walking times for many local riders.
Threats to Local Businesses: The installation of restrictive medians and the removal of turn pockets will create major barriers for customers and delivery vehicles. Additionally, a multi-year construction timeline for utilities and stations risks causing severe financial hardship for independent corridor businesses before the project is even finished.
"Bus-Only Blinders" & Flawed Logistics: The current plan focuses heavily on bus transit while neglecting other modes of travel. It lacks dedicated bicycle infrastructure and leaves pedestrian sidewalk configurations dangerously close to high-volume traffic. Furthermore, travel patterns on Colorado Blvd. are highly decentralized—characterized by multi-stop errands and through-traffic—making it fundamentally incompatible with a rigid, fixed-route bus model.
Our full position paper can be found here.
City Proposal Aims to Change Low-Intensity Residential Zoning
What’s Next for Hilltop
Denver’s Community Planning and Development department is currently pushing forward with Phase 1 of the Unlocking Housing Choices initiative—a sweeping, citywide proposal to alter low-intensity residential zoning codes (specifically SU, TU, and RH districts). The city’s plan seeks to introduce "missing middle" housing options, such as duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, into neighborhoods historically zoned for single-unit homes. To incentivize this, the city proposes limiting the allowable size of new single-family structures while granting graduated building-size bonuses to developers who build multi-unit projects, preserve existing primary homes, or include deed-restricted affordable housing.
Because of the significant impact this could have on our community, our Association and land-use committees across Denver are critically evaluating this proposal ahead of the formal Denver City Council vote scheduled for late 2026. While city officials frame the initiative as a tool to curb the demolition of smaller starter homes, neighborhood advocates and residents are deeply concerned about the realities of these density mandates.
Key areas of concern we are actively scrutinizing include:
Infrastructure & Utilities: Whether our aging local infrastructure can handle the increased capacity.
Environmental Impact: The severe risks to stormwater management, drainage, and the preservation of our neighborhood tree canopy.
Parking & Traffic: How street parking and traffic flow will handle an influx of units, especially following the city’s recent, controversial elimination of mandatory off-street parking requirements.
We urge residents to stay informed and scrutinize these plans closely. You can review the Denver Community Planning and Development Unlocking Housing Choices Project Hub to watch recent briefing videos, view presentation slides, and see upcoming meeting schedules.
Denver’s RNO Modernization Proposal
What it is and what it could mean for Hilltop
The City of Denver is currently moving forward with "Your City Your Voice – Empowering Denver" (YCYV), a sweeping initiative to modernize Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNOs). While the Hilltop Neighborhood Association (HNA) board supports making local civic engagement easier and more inclusive, we have sent a detailed formal position paper to City Council to protect our neighborhood’s voice and avoid drowning volunteer-led groups in rigid bureaucracy.
Why This Matters
RNOs exist to preserve and enhance our community's quality of life. Imposing overly complex administrative rules risks crushing volunteer-led networks. We are urging City Council to take a cautious, practical approach that supports volunteers rather than penalizing them.
We urge our neighbors to get involved by reading our position paper and providing comment to Council Woman Sawyer, Councilman Kashmann, and Councilwoman Gonzales-Gutierrez to voice your position on this important mechanism of representation we have in our city.
Independence Day Weekend: Quick Local Fireworks Guide
Celebrate 150 years of Colorado and 250 years of the United States, while staying safe this fire season
Denver is celebrating America's 250th and Colorado's 150th birthdays with massive shows this weekend. Here is where to catch the action near Hilltop!
Glendale’s "4th on the Second": Thursday, July 2, 2026 | Gates at 6:30 PM, Movie at 7:00 PM, Fireworks at 9:30 PM | Infinity Park Event Center
Coors Field Postgame Fireworks”: Friday, July 3 & Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Game at 6:10 PM, Fireworks follow | Coors Field
Downtown Sunset Cinema & Drone Show: Friday, July 3, 2026 | Doors at 5:30 PM, Movie at 7:00 PM, Drones at 9:15 PM | Sculpture Park at the Denver Performing Arts Complex
Commerce City 4thFEST: Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Festival all afternoon, Fireworks at dark | Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
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.
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.
