E Colfax Bus Rapid Transit Project to Celebrate Milestones on Monday
Published on August 02, 2025
DENVER – On Monday, August 4, the East Colfax Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project will celebrate construction milestones at a block party supporting E. Colfax businesses, as construction crews install the fifth station arch at Fillmore Street at 8 p.m. and a sixth arch at Madison Street later that evening around midnight.
To coincide with the arch installation at Fillmore St., the project will host a viewing and block party at Maria Empanada (2730 E. Colfax Ave) from 7 – 10 p.m. The event will include a live D.J., tango demonstrations and booths for many East Colfax small businesses. The project is partnering with Historic Denver to offer a free, Colfax-themed Trivia Night. Rounds will feature questions about historic Colfax, “wicked” Colfax, bus rapid transit, and businesses populating the iconic avenue. Teams of six are welcome to play. Prizes for the top performers will include free tours from Historic Denver and “Colfax Cash,” gift cards to support small businesses along the corridor.
After the party, viewers are encouraged to visit businesses at Colfax Avenue and Madison Street to view the second arch installation, currently planned for midnight.
The celebration of BRT’s half-dozenth arch installation coincides with another project milestone. Construction has shifted from Phase 1 to Phase 2 between Broadway and Williams streets. Phase 1 construction activities focused on the south side of E. Colfax Ave; Phase 2 shifts operations to the north side of East Colfax Ave. Up-to-date construction information, including activities by cross street throughout the corridor, is available on the project’s construction dashboard. The project is progressing as planned and is on track to meet budget, schedule, safety, disadvantage business enterprise (DBE) participation and small business grant award goals, as outlined on the project dashboard.
In total, thirty-two arches will be installed along the corridor, providing the basis for a canopy and shelter as well as other BRT station features, such as passenger information displays with real-time transit information, enhanced fare collection systems that allow for payment prior to boarding, and level, multi-door boarding that improves accessibility and the speed of the boarding process.
Other Colfax businesses – both new and old – have hosted arch installation viewing parties, including the Tight End Bar (at the future Franklin Station, May 6), Uptown Báhn Mi (Downing Station, June 9), Nob Hill Inn (Pennsylvania Station, June 24) and Bruz Off Fax, Savageau Coffee & Ice Cream and The Learned Lemur (York/Josephine Station, July 14). These events are part of a larger campaign, We Back the Fax, which encourages community members to support small businesses before, during and after construction.
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About Historic Denver
For over five decades, Historic Denver has been the leading community-driven voice for historic places in the city. As a 401(c)3, the nonprofit organization conducts urban preservation work in support of Denver’s distinctive buildings and landscapes. Their work includes interpreting the legacy of Margaret “Molly” Brown, educational programs, walking tours, technical assistance to property owners and communities, easements on over 70 of Denver’s most loved buildings, and advocacy for the retention of the places important to its diverse and dynamic communities.
About East Colfax BRT
As a key east-west transportation route, East Colfax Avenue is Denver’s busiest transit corridor, carrying nearly 20,000 travelers a day on a 9.9-mile stretch between Denver’s Civic Center Station and Interstate 225 in Aurora. The BRT project will reduce transit travel time along the full stretch by up to 30 minutes and provide reliable access to more than 250,000 jobs and community services along the corridor. BRT will include dedicated, center-running travel lanes in Denver and side-running lanes in Aurora. It will feature an enhanced pedestrian experience with more trees and lighting and improved sidewalk and transit stops. The project is furthering both city and state goals to create more options for people to move safely, equitable and efficiently throughout the Denver Metro Region and beyond. Learn more and sign up for project updates here.