People's Budget 2022-23 (Cycle 1)
In the first cycle of Denver’s Participatory Budgeting Program, the People's Budget (PB), residents budgeted $2 million of infrastructure funds, investing in nine community projects to prioritize pedestrian safety, community gathering spaces, and resources for people experiencing homelessness.
More than 4,200 residents participated in four areas of focus, each with its own ballot featuring specific projects. One area was the city as a whole, and the other three were areas with newly adopted neighborhood plans. After counting rank-choice ballots, and in accordance with the rulebook developed by residents, nine projects received funding and began design and construction in 2023.
Project Status
The implementation of People's Budget projects is done in partnership with Community Planning and Development and agencies across the city. Each cycle, agencies work with residents in the proposal development phase to provide feasibility analysis and technical assistance to help ideas become projects. In the final phase of the PB process, after the top projects are selected by community members, city staff begin working with residents to finalize designs and build the projects.
Cycle 1 Project Agencies: Denver Parks and Recreation (DPR), Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), Department of Housing Stability (HOST) and Colorado Village Collaborative (CVC), Denver Housing Authority (DHA).
Take a look at the People's Budget funded projects below, listed by area of focus, and click on each one to see its current status.
Citywide Ballot Projects
Wider and accessible sidewalks in Ruby Hill - $400,000 - DOTI
Design work will begin in 2024 to expand the width of the sidewalk on Raritan Street and Mosier Place in front of Walsh Manor Annex. If the design process confirms these two segments can be expanded within the city’s existing right of way, they will be constructed in 2025. Plans to expand the width of the sidewalk on the south side of Mosier Place between Raritan and Quivas Street will also go to design in 2024. It’s anticipated that the city will need to acquire additional right of way for this segment and confirm the cost to construct.
Shower trailers for unhouse residents - $225,000 - HOST
In partnership with Colorado Village Collaborative (CVC), and as part of an existing contract with HOST, four permanent hygiene stations were purchased to provide facilities for unhoused residents across three CVC Safe Outdoor Spaces locations throughout Denver. They units were delivered and installed in January 2024.
Tiny homes for unhoused residents - $200,000 - HOST
Five tiny homes were constructed and delivered to CVC’s Welcome Village in April 2023. An opportunity for even more partnership presented itself an additional five tiny homes have been funded. The construction of the tiny homes will provide Infrastructure Engineering pathway students at the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus hands-on experience and will be installed in the Beloved Community Village in Northeast Denver by Summer of 2024.
Community Gardens for Denver Housing Authority properties - $175,000
The Garden at Columbines Apartments homes is in the design phase. Denver Housing Authority has hired a design Firm and DHA staff is in the process of engaging residents and local resident council boards to discuss planning and design of the new community garden. Renovations and improvements have been identified for the existing gardens at Hirschfield Homes and Mountain View Towers.
Far Northeast Ballot Projects
The Far Northeast Area Plan covers the Montbello, Green Valley Ranch and Denver International Airport neighborhoods.
New lights in Far Northeast parks/trails - $362,500 - DPR
After working with residents to identify areas of need, DPR has plans to new lights at Silverman Park and Green Valley Ranch (GVR) West Park by the end of 2025.
New trashcans in Far Northeast parks/trails - $37,500 - DPR
A plan for 25 trashcan installments is in place, and the trashcans have been purchased. DPR hopes to have staff to install and maintain the trashcans by the end of 2024.
East Central Ballot Projects
The East Central Plan covers the Uptown, Capitol Hill, North Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park and City Park West neighborhoods.
Safer intersections in Capitol Hill - $187,500 - DOTI
Currently, DOTI is identifying crossing improvements and treatment types for the intersections at Emerson & 12th, Emerson &13th, and Emerson &14th, with design to be completed potentially by fall of 2024.
Accessible transit in City Park - $112,500 - DOTI
Currently, DPR is in the design phase, with plans to improve 2-3 bus stops along the 17th and/or York corridors, providing better connections for transit users and adding to the existing ADA accessible park pathways. Anticipated improvements could include benches, paved bus pads, and paved connections into City Park.
East Ballot Projects
The East Plan covers the South Park Hill, Hale, Montclair and East Colfax neighborhoods.
New Freedom Park Improvements - $300,000 - DPR
DPR’s design has been completed and approved by residents. Planned improvements include, new trees, a new shade structure and picnic tables at the entrance of the park, and stand-alone shaded tables near the playground, so families and children can better enjoy the community space. Construction is set to begin in spring of 2024.
Participation at a glance
Participatory Budgeting aims to connect with residents who face barriers to traditional civic processes, including youth, undocumented residents, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, unhoused residents, and more. In the pilot program (Cycle 1):
- 80 percent of the more than 60 resident leaders in the program identified as Black, Indigenous people of color (BIPOC)
- $30,000 of mini-grants funded residents and grass root organizations to engage their communities
- 97 percent of respondents who submitted ideas identified as BIPOC. Half earned less than $25,000 year and half had not earned a high school diploma.