West 38th Avenue Corridor Study
Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) has completed the West 38th Avenue Corridor Study. The long-term vision for the corridor recommends a reduction in the number of travels lanes in order to create more space to widen sidewalks, add space for street amenities and landscaping, maintain some on-street parking, and incorporate transit priority treatments. The study also recommends near and mid-term safety improvements at key intersections on the corridor.
West 38th Avenue was identified as a corridor in need of investment through various previous projects, each with its own community outreach and outcomes. The corridor study began by analyzing the feasibility and compatibility of these previous recommendations and current community needs. The study recommendations create a cohesive plan for the entire corridor that will guide future capital improvement projects and adjacent development.
Near-Term Improvements
The seven intersections identified for near-term improvement through the West 38th Avenue Corridor Study, are moving to installation this summer. The intersections are:
- Tennyson Street
- Lowell Boulevard
- Irving Street
- Alcott Street
- Zuni Street
- Tejon Street
- Pecos Street
These intersections were identified for improvement based on crash patterns, multimodal safety needs, and extensive community feedback. The near-term improvements are quick-build, cost-effective solutions that can be implemented more rapidly while supporting longer-term corridor investments. Improvements will help bring intersections and adjacent parking conditions up to current standards, improving long-term usability and safety.
The key benefits include improved public safety, better visibility, more predictable operations, and multimodal access.
N Tennyson St
- New high-visibility crosswalks,
- Add northbound protected left turn,
- In-lane bus stops to reduce bus delay,
- Pedestrian refuge islands to reduce pedestrian crossing exposure,
- Horizontal tapers to slow vehicles at intersection approach.
N Lowell Blvd
- Edge line to narrow travel lane and slow speeds,
- Move Stop bar back for better visibility of pedestrians,
- Add northbound and eastbound protected left turns,
- Curb extensions to slow turning vehicles and improve visibility.
N Irving St
- Horizontal tapers to slow vehicles at intersection approach,
- Move stop bar back for better visibility of pedestrians,
- Add westbound protected left turn,
- Pedestrian refuge islands reduce pedestrian crossing exposure
N Alcott St
- Edge line to narrow travel lane and slow speeds,
- Pedestrian refuge islands reduce pedestrian crossing exposure,
- Curb extensions to slow turning vehicles and improve visibility
N Zuni St
- Horizontal tapers to slow vehicles at intersection approach,
- Pedestrian refuges reduce pedestrian crossing exposure.
N Tejon St
- Bike boxes to improve cyclist visibility,
- In-lane bus stops to reduce bus delay,
- Pedestrian refuge islands to reduce pedestrian crossing exposure,
- Horizontal tapers to slow vehicles at intersection approach
N Pecos St
- Edge line to narrow travel lane and slow speeds,
- Add southbound and eastbound protected left turns,
- Curb extensions to slow-turning vehicles and improve visibility
Implementation and Construction
Work will primarily occur on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) to minimize weekday disruptions. Each intersection is expected to require approximately two weekends of work. Construction will be phased, generally progressing from east to west along the corridor. Overall implementation is anticipated to take approximately 12–16 weeks.
If you are a business or residential owner in these seven intersections, you will receive notification closer to the planned date of construction.
Project Materials
Click below to view the final plan for West 38th Avenue.
Click below for an analysis of the existing conditions on the corridor, including traffic safety, public transit, active transportation infrastructure, and green infrastructure.
Click below to review the project team's analysis and draft recommendations for the corridor, including an evaluation of alternatives and a summary of community input.
Appendix A: SimTraffic Model Calibration Memorandum(PDF, 4MB)
Appendix B: 100% Demand LOS & Queue Results(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix C: 20% Demand LOS & Queue Results(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix D: 40% Demand LOS & Queue Results(PDF, 7MB)
Appendix E: Pedestrian LTS & DOTI Intersection Score Results(PDF, 701KB)
Appendix F: Livable Cities Studio Green Infrastructure PowerPoint Presentation(PDF, 7MB)
Public Engagement Process
The project kicked off in December of 2023 and wrapped up in Spring 2025. Community outreach activities included community meetings, surveys, pop-up events, and education sessions with residents, neighborhood leaders, and community organizations. The project had three phases: assessing existing conditions, analysis of alternative designs for the corridor, and the final presentation of near, mid, and long-term recommendations. Engagement consisted of:
- Public Outreach Phase #1: Collaborated with community, crafted a project vision and goals and sought feedback on existing conditions by convening a Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC), and through an online survey and virtual community workshop. (Winter 2024)
- Public Outreach Phase #2: Discussed tradeoffs and gathered community input on possible solutions for the corridor through a second NAC meeting, an in-person community meeting, community pop-ups, and a survey (Summer 2024)
- Public Outreach Phase #3: Presented and sought feedback on a recommended long-term vision to guide future capital improvement projects and development on the West 38th Avenue Corridor as well as shared near and mid-term safety recommendations at a final community event and NAC meeting, at community pop-ups and through a community input form. (Spring 2025)
Project Study Limits
The project study limits include West 38th Avenue from Sheridan Boulevard on the western edge to Fox Street on the eastern edge – total corridor project length is approximately three miles.
Project Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Topic: Bus Priority
What is ‘bus priority’ in the recommended W. 38th Avenue long-term vision?
At locations that experience transit delay on W. 38th Avenue, such as major signalized intersections, dedicated bus lanes would bypass the flow of traffic and function as queue jump lanes. The “bus priority” recommendation also includes frequent transit services at 15-minute or better frequency all day.
Topic: Sidewalks
Are there plans to improve sidewalks on West 38th Avenue?
Many sidewalks along West 38th Avenue are narrow and have no buffer between themselves and the street. These conditions do not align with the vision for West 38th Avenue as a "Main Street Arterial", as documented in Blueprint Denver (2019). As redevelopment occurs along West 38th Avenue, developers will be required to bring sidewalks and buffers up to modern standards; however, not every parcel along West 38th Avenue will redevelop. The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study analyzed the feasibility of implementing consistent sidewalk conditions all along the corridor. Long-term, this could involve repurposing space within the public right-of-way that is currently used for general traffic or parking.
As taller building are constructed along West 38th Avenue, snow removal becomes more challenging. How can this issue be alleviated?
In most cases, sidewalk snow clearance is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Please report any sidewalk snow clearance issues to 311. Additionally, if neighbors need extra assistance clearing snow from sidewalks, they may sign up for the Snow Angels program to connect with local volunteers who can help clear snow. As redevelopment occurs along West 38th Avenue, developers will be required to bring sidewalks up to modern standards, which should provide additional width to help with snow storage. Please visit Denver's Snow Removal webpage for more information on this program.
How can this effort result in an environment that people want to stay in, not just move through?
Currently, West 38th Avenue provides a disproportionate amount of space to vehicle traffic compared to space for people walking/rolling or even dining, sitting, and relaxing. Balancing the street so that cars do not dominate most of the space will help it feel more inviting for people to linger and not just pass through, which is in line with Denver's mobility goals established in Denver Moves Everyone 2050 (2023).
Topic: Parking
How is parking being considered? Will there be any changes to parking on West 38th Avenue?
The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study took a close look at on-street parking. The project team has collected parking occupancy data at various times of the day and the week, as well as data on parking restriction types (1-hour versus 2-hour, loading zones, ADA spaces, etc.). The project team documented this data in an Existing Conditions Memo. The recommended long-term vision for the corridor largely recommends maintaining on-street parking with targeted parking removal to facilitate bus priority lanes and safer pedestrian crossings.
Topic: Bike Lanes
What will biking look like on a future W. 38th Avenue?
Denver's citywide bike master plan, Denver Moves: Bicycles (2015), recommended further study for a possible bike facility on West 38th Avenue. The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study conducted an alternatives analysis and collaborated with the community to determine whether DOTI could move forward with a recommendation for a bike facility on West 38th Avenue. The final recommended vision or W. 38th Avenue does not recommend a bike facility on the corridor as available right-of-way is too limited to provide a comfortable bike facility. Low volume, more comfortable bike facilities are available on parallel streets (W. 35th Avenue and W. 41st Avenue).
Topic: Community Priorities and Outreach
Which previous planning efforts influenced the vision and priorities for the West 38th Avenue Corridor Study and when were these completed?
Answers below:
Topic: Safety & Traffic
What is traffic calming and how was this applied along West 38th Avenue?
Traffic calming involves physically modifying streets to encourage slower vehicle speeds and improve safety and comfort for non-motorized road users. Recommended traffic calming modifications for West 38th Avenue include medians, curb extensions, decreasing the number of vehicular lanes to three and improving six key intersections in the short-term.
How does DOTI enforce speeding and other traffic violations on West 38th Avenue? Will DOTI use automated enforcement (red light or speeding cameras) to enforce safe driving along West 38th Avenue?
Traffic violation enforcement is the responsibility of the Denver Police Department. There are no plans to utilize automated enforcement devices on West 38th Avenue at this time, although that could change. Please visit Denver's Photo Radar Enforcement webpage to learn more.
Where are the highest concentrations of vehicle crashes along West 38th Avenue?
Locations with high crash rates along West 38th Avenue include the Sheridan Boulevard, Federal Boulevard, and Fox Street intersections. The Existing Conditions Memo with a complete crash and safety analysis is available on the project webpage.
Will improvements on West 38th Avenue shift additional traffic onto streets in the surrounding neighborhoods? How will DOTI ensure these streets remain safe?
The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study estimated potential traffic impacts for all recommendations. The recommended long-term vision was determined not to cause excessive traffic diversion to nearby streets but as the vision progresses to design it will be carefully evaluated and paired with mitigations to maintain safe conditions.
How did the West 38th Avenue Corridor Study address the needs of traffic?
The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study collected traffic data and conducting analysis and modeling to better understand travel patterns along the corridor. The project team developed recommendations that improve multimodal transportation on West 38th Avenue, while minimizing undue impacts to vehicle traffic.
How does DOTI identify locations with frequent "near misses" (instances where crashes are narrowly avoided), beyond traffic accidents?
The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study project team collected public input via a survey during the month of March 2024. The survey included a map where participants could drop pins with comments regarding any safety concerns such as near misses.
When will DOTI have all the new speed limit signs up in the city?
Please visit the 20 MPH Local Speed Limit Reduction webpage for the latest information on this. Note that this does not apply to West 38th Avenue, which currently has a posted speed limit of 30 MPH, but the question has come up frequently so was included in this Q&A.
Are there plans to add additional signalized intersections for pedestrians to safely cross West 38th Avenue?
The West 38th Avenue Corridor Study analyzed pedestrian crossing gaps and developed recommendations for new or improved crossings at key intersections including Tejon and Navajo Streets.
How do you plan to address the dangers of the many driveways/car entry/exit facilities along West 38th Avenue that are present to people walking and rolling?
As redevelopment occurs along West 38th Avenue, developers will be required to bring sidewalks up to modern standards, including minimizing driveway access on arterial streets like West 38th Avenue. Existing driveway access cannot be modified without the consent of the property owner.
Topic: Zoning & Urban Design
Will any zoning classifications or property setback/frontage requirements on the corridor be changed?
Denver makes decisions about appropriate zoning based on guidance established in Blueprint Denver (2019) and any relevant smaller area plans, such as the recently adopted Near Northwest Area Plan (2024), which applies to West 38th Avenue from Inca Street to Federal Boulevard. Because Blueprint Denver identifies West 38th Avenue as a "Main Street Arterial", it is largely zoned with Main Street Zone Districts which recommend narrower setbacks to bring building closer to the street and activate sidewalks.
Will there be changes to parking minimums for new developments to favor higher-density developments?
The Denver Zoning Code determine parking requirements. Any changes would require an update to the Code, which is outside the scope of the West 38th Avenue Corridor Study. As of June 2022, medium and large new developments must adhere to Denver's Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Regulation. The regulations require new developments to implement TDM strategies that expand people's travel options and create attractive alternatives to driving. The program encourages developers to reduce parking and require them to provide alternatives such as RTD EcoPasses, car share, and unbundling parking from rents.
The Near Northwest Area Plan indicates that there are likely to be more three- to five-story apartment buildings along West 38th Avenue. Will this be changed?
There are a variety of current and proposed heights along West 38th Avenue, with higher heights at major intersections such as Federal and Lowell. Blueprint Denver (2019) and the Near Northwest Area Plan (2024) call for a diversity of heights ranging from two stories up to five stories, so there will not be a homogenous building type or size. Larger, new apartments are certainly the most visible changes to any neighborhood given their scale, but CCD recognizes that West 38th Avenue retains a strong diversity of building scales and uses ranging from single-unit residential and smaller storefronts to larger mixed-use developments. City plans reflect that diversity and will continue to encourage a range of heights and uses along the corridor.
Miscellaneous Questions
What are the plans for the underpass from Inca Street to Fox Street?
City staff are aware of the flooding that affects this underpass. The Globeville Stormwater System Study (2019) comprehensively investigated the origins of flooding in the area, examined strategies for addressing flooding, and determined favorable solutions to mitigate flooding while offering community benefits. The plan recommended improvements to the underground stormwater pipe systems in the Jason Street and West 38th Avenue area, which would likely involve reconstruction of the underpass and also present an opportunity to reconfigure the underpass to better support pedestrians and bicyclists. The Globeville Stormwater System Study did not identify funding or a timeline for this project. Stormwater infrastructure improvements and transportation improvements would be funded separately but could be completed together for construction efficiency. In the meantime, DOTI can evaluate recommendations for flooding detour signage.
How is DOTI working with the City of Wheat Ridge on this project?
DOTI has discussed this project with representatives from the City of Wheat Ridge and will continue to stay engaged with them as highly relevant stakeholders.
How is DOTI working with the Denver Police Department on this project?
A representative from the Denver Police Department joined DOTI on a walk of the West 38th Avenue Corridor to discuss issues related to safety.