Santa Fe Streetscape Improvements
The Vibrant Denver Bond Program is partnering with Denver Water, Xcel Energy and Hamon Infrastructure to deliver large-scale improvements to Santa Fe Drive between 6th and 13th avenues. Denver Water is expected to begin a water main replacement between West 7th Avenue and West 12th Avenue as soon as Monday, August 10. Gas and electrical utility relocations and upgrades with Xcel Energy along with streetscape improvements led by Hamon Infrastructure will follow in September 2026. Denver Water and Xcel Energy will be completed in early 2027; Hamon will complete project delivery at the end of 2028.
About the Project
The Santa Fe Streetscape Improvements project will rebuild Santa Fe from 6th to 13th Avenues including wider sidewalks, landscaping, and improved public spaces. Approved by voters in November 2025, this project is based on extensive community input and will improve the experience for people walking on Santa Fe, improve, safety, and maintain mobility and access for all modes, and will enhance the identity, history, and culture of the area. Work to be completed will include:
- Upgrading and relocating underground utilities on Santa Fe Drive, including aging water lines (Denver Water), stormwater drainage system upgrades to help manage drainage, and new Xcel Energy lines to enhance street lighting.
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Reconstructing intersections to make crossing the street safer and easier with shorter crossing distances.
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Adding new trees, landscaping, and green infrastructure to help manage stormwater and beautify the corridor.
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Date
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Activity
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More
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Aug 2026
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Denver Water starts work between 7th and 8th Aves, will progress north in one- to two-block increments. Full closures will be required during work hours.
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Learn more and sign up for updates by visiting www.denverwater.org/santafe
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Sep 2026
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Hamon Infrastructure will begin work on pedestrian, mobility, and safety improvements between 6th and 13th aves.
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Xcel Energy relocates gas lines and upgrades electrical utilities for new pedestrian and street lighting on Santa Fe Drive in coordination with Hamon.
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Early 2027
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Denver Water and Xcel Energy plan to complete utility work.
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Upon completion of partner utility work, Hamon will keep one lane open on Santa Fe.
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End of 2028
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Hamon plans to complete project work.
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Xcel Energy will be relocating gas lines throughout Santa Fe Drive between 6th and 13th Avenues to mitigate conflicts with the updated Denver Water line and the updated Denver stormwater lines. Additionally, they will upgrade electrical utilities for new pedestrian and street lighting. This work will begin in September 2026 and is planned to complete Q1 2027.
Starting in September, Hamon will mobilize on site and begin work on the streetscape improvements project delivery. Additional information will be provided in advance.
Detour Map
June 2026 Open House
In June 2026, the project team hosted a public open house to share roll plots of the 90% design. Denver Water was also there to share information about upcoming utility work in the corridor before the streetscape improvements
Roll Plot(PDF, 7MB)
Design Process(PDF, 2MB)
Rendering Boards(PDF, 2MB)
Section Boards(PDF, 2MB)
Sandblasted Paving(PDF, 2MB)
Fact Sheet(PDF, 212KB)
February 2026 Open House
In February 2026, the project team hosted a public open house to collect feedback for the final design. This feedback is helping with final revisions to the plan sets that will guide construction and delivery of the permanent streetscape improvements.
Download the open house presentation (PDF, 2MB)
Santa Fe Streetscape Design Study
This project is funded by the 2025 Vibrant Denver Bond Program.