New Sidewalk Construction

Several months before construction, land surveyors will check for potential conflicts between private property lines and sidewalk gap construction. Any special landscaping or hardscape (fences, walls, boulders, etc) in the right-of-way will be noted. 

Several weeks prior to construction, the city project team will contact property owners and residents with a door flyer or by mail to share project background, construction impacts and contact information.  The city project team will work with property owners to address structures, plantings or other private property that must be moved. There may, on rare occasions, be properties that will require very limited property acquisition in order to install the sidewalk. 

Two days before construction, door hangers will be placed by the construction contractor.  Door hangers will contain basic parking and construction information, as well as contact information for the hotline, website, and project manager.  Homeowners are advised to keep their door hangers until construction is complete.  The project team will post regular community updates through the city webpage as sidewalk construction progresses.

“No Parking” signs will be placed on the street immediately prior to construction and remain for the duration of the project. While street parking will be restricted, the street will remain open as much as possible for cars and pedestrians. Preparing, pouring, and curing a single city block of new sidewalk takes approximately two weeks.

During construction concrete is poured into forms to create the new sidewalk. If required, the asphalt, existing curb, gutter, and immediate sidewalk area may be dug up to allow for construction of new pedestrian ramps. Construction tape and barriers protect the concrete while it cures. Bad weather may delay construction.  Once the concrete cures, the forms are removed, the soil backfilled, and the asphalt is patched.

If a garden wall, fence or other private property is located within City right-of-way, it may have to be disturbed or removed in order to accommodate construction of the new sidewalk and pedestrian ramps. The City is not responsible for replacing fences or other hardscaping installed on City property. 

Additional information

• Encroachments in the Public Right of Way
• Project Guide for Fences

Construction crews are instructed to keep landscape and tree removals to a minimum and will only disturb what is necessary to install the new sidewalk and pedestrian ramps. City project managers will contact homeowners in advance of construction so that, where possible, landscaping can be safely removed by the homeowner for replanting after sidewalk construction is complete. In the case of mature trees, the City Forester may be called upon for additional consultation.

Further information

• City Forester rules

The adjacent property owner or resident is responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalk and the pedestrian ramps adjoining their property. The resident is responsible for clearing the sidewalk and ramps of snow, leaves and debris.

Please see additional information at denvergov.org/snow.

The Snow Angels program is an initiative of the City and County of Denver aimed at helping Denver residents in need of assistance shoveling their front sidewalks during the cold winter months.

These can be older active adults, neighbors living with a disability, residents who are temporarily ill, and those physically unable to shovel.

To request the help of a volunteer Snow Angel, submit a form at denvergov.org/snowangels or contact SnowAngels@denvergov.org; 720-913-SNOW (7669).

YES and NO. 24-48 hours before construction begins, the City’s contractor will put up “No Parking” signs on your block. You will not be able to park in the immediate area during construction in order to leave room for construction vehicles, materials and personnel.

However, only the immediate area around the construction site will have restricted parking. Other parts of the street may not be impacted.

If trash, recycling, and compost are picked up in front of your residence, please move your bins across the street and out of the construction area to ensure weekly trash collection. Trash collection will resume on your side of the street once the 'NO PARKING' signs are removed.

In some cases, part of a driveway or driveway apron may have to be reconstructed to work seamlessly with the new sidewalk, curb, and gutter.  Residents can expect to lose access to their driveways for 3-5 days.  If daily driveway access is essential, the project manager will work with the resident to craft temporary access during construction.