Denver's Sidewalk Program
Building, Reconstructing, and Repairing the Sidewalk Network on Your Behalf
Once fully built out, Denver's sidewalk network will be approximately 3,489 miles - about the distance from Denver to New York City and back again!
Throughout the City, there are different types of sidewalks, from older materials and flagstone sidewalks to newly built or re-constructed ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant sidewalks - and everything in between! In addition, there are many sidewalks in our city in need of repair and about 40% of Denver's sidewalk network is either missing or too narrow.
DOTI believes that walkable neighborhoods with good sidewalks are the foundation of a complete transportation system and is committed to reconstructing, repairing, and building out the remainder of this network to make our city more equitable, safer for all and to connect everyone to all the amazing amenities that makes Denver so special.
COMING SOON: Sidewalk Program Fee
Amendments made to the sidewalk program ordinance passed by voters in November 2022 will result in approximately 96% of all property owners being charged a flat fee of $150 annually.
Property owners with more than 230 linear feet of sidewalk, with a higher impact on the sidewalk network, will pay the $150 base rate and an additional "impact fee" of $3.50 for every foot over 230 linear feet.
At locations where sidewalks don't currently exist, property owners will pay either the flat fee or flat fee with impact fee, based on the length of the public right of way where a future sidewalk will be constructed.
The fee for sidewalks in Denver will begin as early as January 2025. The sidewalk charge will be included on people's bi-annual stormwater bills, with half the annual sidewalk fee assessed the first half of the year and second half of the sidewalk fee assessed the second half of the year, or $75 per bill.
What To Expect
Ordinance 307, which established the new citywide sidewalk program, is currently scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2025. Until then, under current city laws, property owners are still responsible for repairing the sidewalk abutting their property.
FAQ
My sidewalk is in good condition. Am I required to pay the fee?
We all use sidewalks in our daily lives to access schools, businesses and parks and to visit friends and neighbors. Having a safe and connected sidewalk network means everyone can get around with greater ease. Since everyone benefits from a complete sidewalk network, all Denver property owners are required to pay the Sidewalk Fee. This includes property owners whose sidewalks are currently in good repair, or who have recently completed new sidewalk construction on their property.
I don't have a sidewalk/I live on a private street where we maintain our own sidewalks/I live on an internal property with no frontage. Am I required to pay the fee?
Yes, the fee applies to all property owners in Denver and is funding a complete sidewalk network that connects people to places and services.
Properties that don't currently have a sidewalk will either pay a $150 annual flat fee, or a flat fee with impact fee, based on the linear footage of public right of way that fronts the property.
Properties with frontage that's private property (not public right of way) or no frontage will pay the $150 flat fee.
My sidewalk was repaired a few years ago as part of the Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program, am I required to pay the fee?
Yes, payment of the sidewalk fee is still required. The fee is a revenue source to fund sidewalk repair and reconstruction citywide and the construction of new sidewalks where there are none, to fill gaps in the sidewalk network and better connect people to places and services citywide.
If I make repairs on my own, will the city reimburse me?
No. Private funds used to make sidewalk repairs will not be reimbursed.
How is my bill calculated?
Property owners with 230 linear feet or less of frontage will pay a $150 annual flat fee. This flat fee applies to about 95% of all property owners in Denver and about 99% of single-family homes in Denver.
Properties that have a high impact on the network with more than 230 linear feet of frontage abutting public right of way will pay the $150 flat fee and an additional "impact fee" of $3.50 for every foot over 230 linear feet.
How are you determining sidewalk lengths to determine who pays the impact fee?
DOTI takes Assessor's Office data (parcel dimensions included in legal descriptions of properties) and then uses a GIS application to separate parcel polygons into individual line segments. For each of these segments, GIS tools are used to determine length and whether it is along a public right of way. For each account, the lengths of all segments along a public right of way are summed to calculate frontage. If the total frontage abutting the public right of way is greater that 230 linear feet, the impact fee for the account will be calculated as the total frontage minus 230 times $3.50.
How do I ask a question about the linear feet of frontage shown on my bill?
Please contact DOTI Utility Billing at (303) 446-3500.
I have an HOA. Would my HOA receive this bill?
If your HOA receives your semi-annual stormwater bill, then your HOA will receive the new sidewalk bill as well. Please check with your homeowners association to confirm and discuss with them how they plan to split this cost among everyone within your HOA.
What happens if I do not pay?
Ordinance 307 authorizes the city to place a lien on properties that are delinquent in the payment of fees.
When will my sidewalk be fixed or installed?
We do not currently have a timeline for when specific segments of sidewalk will be installed or fixed as part of the new sidewalk program. The percentage of existing sidewalk in Denver in need of repair is currently unknown, and it's estimated that about 40% of the sidewalk network is either missing or too narrow.
As the city begins to receive revenue from the sidewalk fee in 2025, it will begin developing a sidewalk master plan as required by the ordinance, which will include an initial investment plan. The master plan will also develop and communicate DOTI's strategy for a long-term, continuing program of repairs, reconstruction and construction of new sidewalks as needed and over time.
Per the ordinance, the master plan will initially prioritize sidewalk construction, reconstruction and repair based on the tiers assigned in the 2019 Denver Moves: Pedestrians & Trails Plan to maximize pedestrian safety, transit access, and access to other high-priority destinations such as schools, parks, grocery stores, and health care centers.
Sidewalk repairs are not an on-demand service. Any reported requests will be assessed and triaged.
Am I required to shovel/clear my sidewalk of snow?
Yes. Ordinance 307 does not relieve property owners of the snow clearing responsibility.
What is the city's plan for repairing or widening areas with flagstone sidewalk?
At this time, the city will not be doing repairs to or widening of flagstone sidewalks. If a portion of a flagstone sidewalk is identified as a level one safety issue, those flagstones may need to be removed and replaced with a concrete sidewalk.
Will the city require additional right of way to build a sidewalk?
The city will work to minimize the need to acquire private property to build sidewalks by exploring its options on a site-specific basis.
Am I required to build a sidewalk or make sidewalk improvements as part of a city permitted project?
Ordinance 307 does not change any existing requirements for developers or individuals to improve the ROW adjacent to their property as a condition of development of redevelopment.