Denver's Sidewalk Program

Update: Sidewalk repairs start in July!

Building, Reconstructing and Repairing the Sidewalk Network

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 gets around with greater ease! Unfortunately, in Denver, there are many sidewalks in need of repair and about 40% of our sidewalk network is either missing or too narrow. We're about to fix that!

With a new fee approved by voters, Denver will begin creating a comprehensive program to repair hazardous sidewalks, reconstruct sidewalks that are deficient, and build sidewalks where they're missing. Since everyone benefits from a complete sidewalk network, all Denver property owners will pay the fee.

Examples of sidewalks in poor condition or too narrow

Walkable neighborhoods with good sidewalks are the foundation of a complete transportation system. Reconstructing, repairing and building out the sidewalk network will make Denver more equitable, safer and connect everyone to all the amazing amenities that make our city special.
 
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!

New Sidewalk Fee in 2025

Starting in 2025, the new fee for sidewalks 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.

Amendments made to the sidewalk 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.

Use our fee lookup tool to confirm your sidewalk charge in 2025 based on your address and property frontage.

Affordability Program

Denver's sidewalk program provides a way for property owners to apply for an instant rebate on their sidewalk fee based on income and household size. Property owners already receiving the instant rebate for solid waste management services will automatically receive the sidewalk rebate as well and need not re-apply.


What To Expect

Timing of Sidewalk Construction, Reconstruction and Repairs

In 2025, as the city begins to receive revenue from the sidewalk fee, DOTI will begin developing a Sidewalk Implementation Plan to deliver a comprehensive program for repairing sidewalks, addressing deficient sidewalks, and constructing sidewalks citywide where they are currently missing. During this planning effort, DOTI will seek community input on various aspects of the program. Residents can request to receive updates on the Sidewalk Implementation Plan by emailing doti.comms@denvergov.org.

Reporting major sidewalk damage

Denver's sidewalk program is not an on-demand repair program. However, resident can report major sidewalk damage to DOTI through Denver's Online Services Hub. DOTI inspects and triages reports received and notes sidewalks with major damage on this map along with their status.

Examples of major sidewalk damage include:

  • adjoining sections of sidewalk with an elevation difference greater than one inch
  • adjoining sections of sidewalk with gaps greater than one inch
  • extensive raveling and major breaking

Sidewalk repairs

As mentioned above, sidewalk repairs are not performed on-demand. With $3.5M in funding for sidewalk repairs this year, DOTI is developing its work plan by prioritizing areas with higher concentrations of reported sidewalk damage. DOTI is taking sidewalk damage reports submitted through 3-1-1, ranking them based on severity, and grouping them geographically to create an efficient mobilization plan for its contractor to maximize the amount of work that can be done within the repair budget.

Sidewalk repairs will begin in July in the areas and order listed below; the work is weather permitting and each area could take a few weeks to complete. More areas in the City will be added as time and funding allows. 

  • Sloan Lake neighborhood: area between W. 26th Ave. and W. 20th Ave., Stuart St. to Lowell St.
  • Berkeley neighborhood: area between W. 38th Ave. and W. 44th Ave., Sheridan Blvd. to Tennyson St.
  • Capitol Hill neighborhood: area generally between E. Colfax Ave. and E. 11th Ave., Washington St. to Franklin St.

Note that flagstone sidewalks, sidewalks with significant issues caused by tree roots, and damage to driveways, curbs, and gutters will NOT be addressed through the sidewalk repair annual work plan. Instead, these more complicated sidewalk situations will be addressed through the Sidewalk Implementation Plan (development of that plan starts this year).

New sidewalk construction

This year, DOTI is also continuing to construct new sidewalks, filling gaps in the network and working to complete its Elevate and Rise Bond Program commitments. Stretches of new sidewalk anticipated to be constructed in the 2025/2026 time frame include those listed below. Click here to learn more about what to expect during new sidewalk construction.

  • Sloan Lake neighborhood: Sheridan Boulevard, W. Colfax Ave. to 17th Ave.
  • Green Valley Ranch neighborhood: Tower Road, Pena Blvd. to 72nd Ave.
  • Harvey Park neighborhood: W. Evans Avenue, S. Patton Ct. to Osceola St. (north side)
  • Globeville/Elyria Swansea neighborhood:
    • Cherokee St., E. 43rd Ave. to E. 44th Ave. (east side, project ends at south limit of Xcel station)
    • Delaware St., E. 42nd Ave. to E. 44th Ave. (west side)
    • Delaware St. at E. 43rd Ave. (east side)
    • Fillmore St., E. 50th Ave. to E. 51st Ave.
    • Milwaukee St., E. 51st Ave. to E. 52nd Ave.
    • E. 43rd Ave., Delaware St. to Alley
    • E. 43rd Ave., Delaware St. to Cherokee (north side)
    • E. 44th Ave., Pearl St. to Sherman St.
    • E. 51st Ave., Fillmore St. to Milwaukee St.
    • E. 52nd Ave., Monroe St. to Cook St.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these FAQs below answer your question?
If not, submit billing and rebate questions to wmdcustomerservice@denvergov.org.
Submit other sidewalk questions to doti.comms@denvergov.org.

My sidewalk is in good condition. Am I required to pay the fee?

Since everyone benefits from a complete and safe 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.

What if my sidewalk has major damage?

Click here to report major damage to an existing sidewalk (note that a photo will be required). Our team will triage and inspect those reports, closing off any area that poses imminent danger and creating a plan to treat the issue.

Sidewalk issues reported to us that meet the following criteria will be placed on a spot repair program:

Example of adjoining sections of sidewalk with an elevation difference greater than one inch

Adjoining sections of sidewalk with an elevation difference greater than one inch

Example of adjoining sections of sidewalk with gaps greater than one inch

Adjoining sections of sidewalk with gaps greater than one inch

Example of sidewalk with extensive raveling and major breaking

Extensive raveling and major breaking

Sidewalks with major damage that have been reported to DOTI and that have been inspected and meet this criteria can be viewed on this map.

What if a tree has damaged my sidewalk?

Sidewalk damage caused by trees is extremely complicated to correct due to the sensitivity of trees. Disturbing tree roots can weaken or kill trees. Extreme care should be taken to preserve the tree which could be decades old and an irreplaceable canopy feature of the property or neighborhood. Therefore, these spot repair requests require greater time to consult with forestry experts and contractors with experience in dealing with these issues.

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.

Do nonprofit organizations get an exemption or reduction in the sidewalk fee?

No, nonprofit organizations are not exempt from the sidewalk fee and do not receive any reductions. All property owners contribute to support the maintenance and improvement of Denver's sidewalk network.

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 if my property is within an HOA, BID or GID that already assesses a fee for sidewalk maintenance?

The Sidewalk Program will build sidewalks to current city standard. If the district has existing decorative or beyond-standard sidewalk, the city would repair or replace the sidewalk to city standard, but not to the district's beyond-city-standard criteria. Any changes to the district's assessment to reflect a decreased need for sidewalk funding as a portion of their assessment would need to be handled according to the district's budgetary rules.

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.

Do property owners retain liability if something happens on a broken sidewalk?

General, property owners are no longer required to repair or reconstruct their sidewalks per the sidewalk ordinance or carry that liability.