Community members from the Park Hill, Hilltop and Cherry Creek North neighborhoods have organized a coalition to demand answers and a pause on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project along Colorado Boulevard, one of Denver’s most congested corridors. The coalition argues that the plan could diminish transit service rather than expand it, a concern that directly affects daily commuters and local businesses.
Former State Senator Penfield Tate III and Denver resident Dana Busch are among the coalition’s leaders. Tate told CBS News, “If transit worked the way they hoped, RTD would be increasing service, not decreasing service.” Busch added, “We feel that there’s lots of information that they should have already gathered to help them even move forward with concepts, and they haven’t done that.”
The group scheduled a public forum for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Infinity Park Recreation Center, co‑hosted by the city of Glendale. They invited agencies involved in the project to attend, but Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) officials withdrew after initially agreeing, sending a cancellation email late Tuesday. When asked, CDOT cited state office closures for Veterans Day.
About 19 neighborhood associations have signed a resolution urging a two‑year pause on the project to allow time for performance data from other BRT corridors—particularly the troubled Colfax Avenue line—to be reviewed. Tate warned, “For at least two years after you finish Colfax to see what lessons you’ve learned, because Colfax BRT has been a mess. Why are you now going to do to Colorado Boulevard what you’ve done to Colfax?”
In a press release referenced by CBS News, CDOT acknowledged that additional study is needed, stating the analysis will “incorporate performance data from other BRT corridors, including Colfax Avenue and elsewhere” and that this review is expected to begin in 2028. The agency also announced it is removing the possibility of a center bus lane for the Colorado Blvd BRT, a change the coalition welcomed.
What’s next: The coalition’s public forum will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. at Infinity Park Rec Center, where residents hope to press CDOT and RTD for clearer data and a revised plan. CDOT’s slated 2028 review will determine whether the project proceeds, but the coalition insists any future action must first demonstrate that BRT can truly enhance service without repeating past mistakes.
Sources: cbsnews.com, cbsnews.com
