Businesses brace as construction begins on Colfax rapid transit project
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A rendering of a transit station along East Colfax Avenue. Image: Courtesy of Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
A $280 million development project to bring Denver's first bus rapid transit line to Colfax Avenue is underway.
Why it matters: The East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project aims to move people more efficiently around the metro area — but for now, it means major disruptions to one of the city's busiest, densest and most historic corridors.
The latest: Construction kicked off Friday outside Denver East High School, marking the start of phase one of the 5-mile project, which stretches from Capitol Hill near Civic Center Park to Aurora's border at Yosemite Street.
The big picture: The long-planned project, expected to be completed by 2027, will convert a vehicle lane in the center of Colfax into a bus-only lane, with transit stops along the route.
- It will also add trees, widen sidewalks and improve street lighting.
- The project is funded by federal and local dollars.
What they're saying: Many businesses along East Colfax worry that construction will hurt their bottom line.
- "It's a major concern, because there's already a limited amount of parking" on Colfax, says Shellie Martinez, a barber at Hollywood's Barber Shop, which has been on East Colfax for more than 40 years.
- "If patrons do not walk in the door, we don't make money," she tells us.
Between the lines: Communication from the city has been spotty, some businesses say.
- "Personally, I have not heard anything from the city," Taelor Brody, a manager at Atomic Cowboy, tells us. She noted, however, she did receive a pamphlet about the project.
- Martinez says city officials stopped by her barbershop and held an informational meeting nearby, but "we're still a little confused about how it's going to go down and how it's going to affect our business' parking."
The other side: Mayor Mike Johnston's office says it's committed to supporting local businesses through grants, though details on timing and amounts remain unclear.
- Officials have also launched a "We Back the Fax" campaign to rally support for small businesses during the disruption.
- City leaders say despite the challenges, the BRT project is essential to achieve city and state goals of creating safer, more equitable and efficient transit metrowide.
What we're watching: Colfax is the first of several BRT lines planned in Denver, with similar projects coming to Colorado and Federal boulevards.