Globeville Elyria-Swansea (GES) Program of Projects

• Washington Street (47th-48th Avenues): Denver Water will be performing an emergency valve repair on Washington Street this Sunday, April 12. As part of this work, Denver Water will fully close Washington Street between 47th and 48th Avenue from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. A detour route will be in place during the closure.

• Washington Street Improvements (51st–52nd Avenues): Lane shifts will be in place on Washington Street between 51st and 52nd avenues through April 2026. A sidewalk closure on the east side of Washington Street will also be in effect. There will be a closure of the northbound RTD bus stop on Washington Street between 51st and 52nd avenues. Please use the bus stop just north of 52nd Avenue through the end of April 2026. Please visit the RTD Service Alerts website for RTD updates.

• 51st Avenue Improvements: Work on 51st Avenue west of Washington Street to Logan Street will continue through May 13, with lane shifts and lane closures in place. Additionally, 51st Avenue is fully closed between Washington Street and Emerson Street through March 2026.
• 47th Avenue Utility Work (High–Claude Streets): Overhead utility line work and pole replacements will occur along 47th Avenue from High Street to Claude Street from March 19 through April 30, 2026. This work will require shoulder and bike lane closures, with occasional single-lane closures and flaggers directing traffic.
• 49th Avenue Closure: 49th Avenue is fully closed between York Street and Race Street through mid-April. Detours are in place.
• Elgin Place: Utility work associated with a private development in the area will require a full closure of Elgin Place through Friday, April 10.
• 50th Avenue (Pearl Street): Utility work associated with a private development project will take place along 50th Avenue (both east and west of Washington Street) and along Pearl Street, requiring single-lane closures through mid-April.

See impact map above for details. 

Project Description

The 2014 Globeville Neighborhood Plan outlines a vision for a unique, strong, connected, and healthy Globeville. Nuisance flooding from stormwater runoff is a well-documented challenge within the community as well as major surface ponding issues in the Argo Park area. The neighborhood sits in the Globeville/Utah Junction Drainage Basin which does not have a formal drainage channel to carry stormwater to the South Platte River. Instead, stormwater drains out of the neighborhood through undersized stormwater pipes and the street network.

The general project alignment starts at the “uphill/upstream” location of Lincoln Street and 48th Avenue, passes through Argo Park, under the BNSF railway, crosses Washington Street, and then continues “downhill/downstream” along 48th Avenue to a new stormwater outfall into the South Platte River.

The Globeville drainage basin has been heavily studied in recent years. The design and construction of this project builds upon the drainage analysis and conceptual design completed as part of the Globeville Stormwater Systems Study (GSSS) – Final Draft December 2019. This initiative will also coordinate and connect with several other ongoing infrastructure improvements in the neighborhood including Heron Pond, Platte Farm Open Space, Washington Street and the Bettie Cram Drive Bridge connecting to the National Western Center.

This project will include a conceptual design of stormwater improvements for the entire project corridor from Lincoln Street to the South Platte River. The stormwater outfall and overlook will begin construction in early 2025. The “downhill/downstream” portion of the project from the west side of Washington Street to the South Platte River will be taken through final design and is planned to be constructed in 2026. This will include the realignment of 48^th Avenue, an underground stormwater box culvert, and a greenway. Once funding becomes available, the final design and construction will be completed for the portions of the project that are “uphill/upstream” from Washington Street to Lincoln Street.

For more information, please visit the 48th Avenue Outfall and Greenway page.

48th Avenue Outfall and Greenway website

Study Goals or Purpose

The 48th Avenue Greenway and Outfall, when complete, will provide relief for some of the drainage problems in the Globeville neighborhood with the potential to create a community connection to the South Platte River, expand access to green space, and further the community’s goal of a more walkable neighborhood.

Overall Project Map

Overall Project Map - Full Size(JPG, 754KB)

Project Schedule

• Outfall work to extend through low flow season in 2025-2026 
• Overall Outfall project completion is expected in 2028 
• Greenway project is in final design through 2025 
• Greenway construction is expected to start in 2026 

Project Contact Info - City PM email

For more information or questions about this specific project, please contact:
Lauren Wulliman – Lauren.Wulliman@denvergov.org

Project Description

The City and County of Denver, and Mile High Flood District are moving forward with an engineering design and construction project to upgrade the existing levee and flood control system along the west bank of the South Platte River called the Globeville Levee Improvements. The Globeville Levee improvements will extend from W 31st Street to N Franklin Street.

For more information about the project, construction impacts, and trail detours, please visit the Globeville Levee Improvements page.  For more information about the trail access closure please email: parksandrecreation@denvergov.org 

Globeville Levee Improvements

Construction Announcement: November 2025

Starting in November 2025, access to the South Platte River Trail will be closed at 45th Avenue behind the McDonald's Restaurant. Due to ongoing safety concerns regarding this access point, and despite having focused police presence, the City of Denver has decided to close this trail access point indefinitely. These concerns are compounded by the anticipated changes in topography resulting from the levee construction, which could further compromise visibility and safety.

Prior to the closure at 45th Avenue, a new access point at 46th Avenue will be opened. In addition, a temporary access point at Washington Street & Ringsby Court will open next summer, with permanent trail access at this point planned in the future.

For more information about the trail access closure please email: parksandrecreation@denvergov.org

Construction Announcement: July 2025

Starting in August 2025, the South Platte River Trail will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists, between East 46th Avenue and the Globeville Landing Park pedestrian bridge. There will be a protected bike detour onto East 46th Avenue through the Denver Coliseum parking lot and Globeville Landing Park. South Platte River Trail access will also be closed at 45th Avenue behind the McDonald's. This replaces the protected bike detour on Washington Street which will be dismantled. All detours remain in effect until May 2026.

Study Goals or Purpose

The Globeville Levee project was identified as a key project to reduce flood risk in the Globeville/Utah Junction basin (Basin 0059-01) in the Globeville Stormwater System Study (GSSS) completed by Merrick and Company. The GSSS evaluated options and provided recommendations for reducing the risk of river flooding to avoid floodplain re-designation from this spill. The final draft of the GSSS dated December 2019 identified that the height of the existing levee located along the west side of the South Platte River, next to the existing trail, is approximately 2 feet lower than the 3 feet minimum freeboard required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in most locations, and identified a spill location during a 100-year storm event just south of 38th Street on the west bank of the river, south and upstream of the existing levee. The goal of the Globeville Levee project is to improve the existing levee to meet the FEMA requirements, and install a new levee to eliminate the spill at 38^th Street.

Study Area Map or Site Drawing

Project Schedule and Upcoming Next Steps

• Phase 1 (from 50th Ave to Franklin Street) – Phase 1 of levee construction is complete. Phase 1 is part of the 52nd and Emerson Water Quality Project (Carpio Sanguinette Park/Heron Pond) and was built concurrently with the 51st Avenue Bridge Project.
• Phase 2 (from 50th Avenue to 38th Street) – Construction began October 2024.
• Phase 3 (from 38th Street to 31st Street) – Final design is expected to follow completion of Phase 2.

Globeville Levee Project Schedule - Full Size(JPG, 38KB)

Project Contact Info - City PM email

For more information or questions about this specific project, please contact:

Terry Martin, P.E.
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
Terry.Martin@denvergov.org

Project Overview: This project includes full-depth roadway reconstruction and corridor improvements along Washington Street from 47th Avenue to 52nd Avenue. Work includes roadway widening; new travel lanes and on-street parking; multiuse sidewalks; upgraded sewer and storm drainage systems; and new traffic signals, lighting, landscaping, and streetscape elements. The project will enhance connectivity to the South Platte River and the National Western Center while supporting a mixed-use riverfront destination.

Project Status: Construction (anticipated to begin February 2026)

Project Goals: The project aims to improve safety and mobility for all users, modernize aging infrastructure, enhance access to the South Platte River and National Western Center, and support economic development through improved streetscape, pedestrian facilities, and multimodal connectivity.

Schedule: February 2026 – TBD

Construction Impacts: Please see our construction impact map above to stay current on impacts in the area. 

Construction will include lane shifts, temporary closures, parking restrictions, and potential sidewalk and transit stop relocations. Access to businesses will be maintained throughout construction, with signage and wayfinding in place to support vehicles and pedestrians. Work is generally expected to occur Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some weekend work as needed. 

See the construction impacts map above to stay current on construction impacts in the area. 

Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are improving Carpio-Sanguinette Park and Heron Pond Open Space with a new regional playground and pavilion, pump track, trails, landscaping, and stormwater quality upgrades. Stormwater infrastructure work was completed in 2024, and the final phase of park construction begins January 2025. The park will remain closed to the public until 2026 when construction is complete.

The pedestrian and bicycle connections to the regional South Platte River Trail will be open during Phase 2 park construction.

For more information, please visit the Carpio-Sanguinette Park and Heron Pond Open Space page.

Denver's Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) is committed to constructing safer, greener, and more accessible streets for everyone through the GES Safer Streets project (formerly known as the North Denver Safer Streets project). We're building on the community's priorities to deliver safer and slower streets in the Globeville and Elyria Swansea neighborhoods – improving safety for people walking, bicycling, scooting, rolling, and driving – between now and 2028.

These improvements will help to slow speeds, reduce cut-through traffic, make crossings safer, provide space for bicyclists/scooter riders, make bus stops accessible, and add more greenery to our streets.

Read more about GES Safer Streets

Project Description

$17 million in funding from Elevate Denver Bond “Globeville Elyria-Swansea Pedestrian Connectivity Improvements”. First set of projects currently in design, and construction of first projects anticipated to start within next year and continue for next several years in different areas throughout the neighborhood.

Study Goals or Purpose

There are a number of pedestrian and sidewalk improvements planned in Globeville/Elyria-Swansea (GES) to be constructed in 2021-2023. There may be impacts to the construction timeline due to ROW/utilities. Please visit the project website (linked above) for more information on sidewalk project locations in the GES area.

National Western Center CAC | April 22, 2026

The GES PoP team will present construction updates and anticipated impacts in the GES neighborhoods during the upcoming CAC meeting on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

See meeting details below.

In-person Address: 5115 Race Ct. Denver, CO 80216. Entrance is on the west side of the building.

Virtual Meeting Option: 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89646029176?pwd=NUZvUnpBYVdyS0RXNHhxM2ZFRldRdz09

Meeting ID: 896 4602 9176

Passcode: 114

One tap mobile

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National Western Center CAC | March 25, 2026

An in-person National Western CAC meeting was held on Wednesday, March 25 with a highlight on GES PoP project impacts and the Sidewalks Program. 

Meeting Recording

Grabacion (Spanish)

CAC Newsletter 

National Western Center CAC | February 25, 2026

An in-person National Western CAC meeting was held on Wednesday, Feb. 25 with a highlight on GES PoP project impacts and GES Safer Streets. 

Meeting Recording

Grabacion (Spanish)

CAC Newsletter 

National Western Center CAC | November 19, 2025

An in-person National Western CAC meeting was held on Thursday, Nov. 19 with a highlight on GES PoP project impacts and updates. 

Meeting recording

Community Open Houses | June 12, 2025

• A special in-person GES CAG Workshop was held June 12, 2025 to provide feedback on transportation improvements to the Globeville Elyria-Swansea (GES) Safer Streets project team.
• Johnson Recreation Center
• 4809 Race Street, Denver
• Meeting Presentation(PDF, 4MB)

February 23, 2023

A community open house was held at Project Angel Heart on February 23, 2023.  Project managers from the following projects were available to answer questions and provide updates:

• Heron Pond Stormwater Improvements at 51st Avenue – Project Update
• 48th Avenue Greenway – Project Update
• Washington Street Design & Construction: 47th Ave to 52nd Ave – Corridor design plan updates and amenity zone concepts

August 25, 2022

We held an in-person Washington Area Public Meeting on August 25, 2022.  The meeting was held in Argo Park with the purpose of highlighting key projects underway in the Washington area including the 48th Avenue Outfall, Washington Corridor Connectivity Study, Washington Street Design, Globeville Levee, Heron Pond, Denver Connector and other community updates. 

December 14, 2021 - Community Open House

Meeting Recording (YouTube)

Meeting Presentation(PDF, 3MB)(PDF, 3MB)

Washington Street Area Connectivity Map - Full Size(JPG, 2MB)(JPG, 2MB)

September 14, 2021 - Community Open House

Meeting Recording

May 18, 2021 - Community Open House

Meeting Recording