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Get Involved!
There are several neighborhood and general development plans in progress in Denver. Learn more and get involved by visiting our website.
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Growing Denver's Transit Communities
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Rocky Piro
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by Rocky Piro, manager of Denver Community Planning & Development
In 2016, Denver will have more than 40 rail stations operating as part of RTD's region-wide FasTracks transit system. Even more stations will emerge in our neighboring cities shortly after that, as the FasTracks system continues to be built out.
City planners are working with area residents to enhance neighborhoods by planning unique transit communities around existing and future station areas. Transit communities tend to be pedestrian-friendly, with a mix of housing, work and shopping opportunities, located in walking distance from a major transit stop. They're designed to maximize residents' access to public transportation and optimize alternative modes of transportation like walking and biking.
In Denver, transit communities aren't one-size-fits-all. We work closely with our communities to retain and enhance the character of existing neighborhoods near rail stations. Our goal is to make sure station-area development is the right fit for each community.
Transit communities have clear benefits for those who choose to live in them. But they have benefits for residents citywide too:
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Building Permits Remain High
In 2009, during the recession, Denver's building and zoning permit numbers hit their lowest point in 25 years. Since then, building activity has steadily increased, and the city is seeing larger and more complex projects come forward. Denver permitting numbers rose above pre-recession levels in 2012, and this year are on pace to match those elevated levels.
Staff in the Development Services section is working harder than ever handling the increasing number of plan reviews, permits and inspections, as we work to ensure the safety of all Denver buildings.
 | | Building permit numbers, 2005-2013 |
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Cherry Creek District Zoning
The Cherry Creek Area Plan, approved by Denver City Council in 2012, outlines a vision for a connected, distinctive, green and prosperous Cherry Creek. The plan calls for new zoning for the area bordered by University Boulevard, Colorado Boulevard, 3rd Avenue and 1st Avenue.
In June, the City and County of Denver partnered with the Cherry Creek Steering Committee and other community stakeholders to kick off the zoning process for the Cherry Creek North district. Learn about the process, schedule, and how to stay informed at DenverGov.org/CherryCreek.
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Introducing the North Denver
Cornerstone Collaborative
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Today there are several major planning efforts and infrastructure projects taking place along the gateway to downtown Denver, in the Globeville/Elyria-Swansea/River North neighborhoods. In 2013, Mayor Michael Hancock created the North Denver Cornerstone Collaborative to ensure visionary planning and deliberate connections for six projects underway.
Learn more about the NDCC and its six major projects at DenverGov.org/NDCC.
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Nominate your Favorite Place for a Mayor's Design Award!
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Billy's Gourmet Hot Dogs
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The Denver Community Planning and Development department is seeking nominations for the annual Mayor's Design Awards.
The Mayor's Design Awards honor projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, design and place-making. The awards are presented to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists and others for their contribution to the public realm through innovative design projects, such as:
- Newly-built structures (may include private residences)
- Creatively renovated or refurbished buildings
- Historic preservation projects
- Outdoor spaces or landscapes such as small plazas or parks
- Public spaces on private property, such as promenades, courtyards or sidewalk cafés
- Special events that create a sense of place or create community identity
To nominate a project for the Mayor's Design Awards and view past winners, please visit DenverGov.org/MDA.
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Kenneth Ho Named Chair of Planning Board
In July, Mayor Michael B. Hancock named Kenneth Ho chair of the Denver Planning Board. Kenneth, currently president of KHO Consulting, LLC, has extensive experience in urban planning, project management and real estate development. Kenneth lives in Denver and is active with the Urban Land Institute and the Downtown Denver Partnership. He replaces outgoing chair Brad Buchanan, whose term expired in June.
The Denver Planning Board advises the mayor and city council on land use matters including planning and zoning. The 11-member board reviews plans, rezoning requests, certain district design standards and guidelines, view planes and other land use rules and regulations.
Learn more about the Denver Planning Board and view an agenda for its upcoming meeting.
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Farmer's market tomatoes.
Photo credit: Heirloom Gardens, LLC.
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Find the Perfect Site for your Future Farmer's Market
We recently partnered with the mayor's Denver Seeds food program to create a series of information and data layers that map the city's food system framework, to help guide people interested in urban farming in Denver. With the new zoning-based data sets, you can find where land uses for food production, cultivation, processing and distribution are permitted, subject to review and approval by the department of Community Planning and Development. Denver's recently expanded open data catalog now offers more than 160 data sets like these, from zoning for urban gardens to abandoned trolley tracks. To view the food systems data layers and maps, visit the open data catalog and search "food."
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Tougher Penalties for Illegal Dumping
This spring, the Denver City Council approved tougher penalties for the unlawful disposal of trash, or "illegal dumping." As a result of the update, Denver Police may now tow and impound vehicles involved in the crime of illegal dumping. Vehicles may be impounded for up to one year. If convicted, violators also face a fine of up to $999 and/or one year in jail for each offense.
In 2012, the City and County of Denver received nearly 4,500 complaints related to excessive large items and construction debris deposited illegally in dumpsters and alleys. The City spent about $250,000 cleaning up the mess.
Please do your part to keep Denver beautiful by depositing construction waste legally.
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In the News
In June, Smart Growth America featured the recently adopted Decatur/Federal Station Area Plan. The story highlights the federal Community Challenge grant that made the plan possible.
"In addition to these demographic challenges Sun Valley is also isolated geographically, cut off from Denver's urban core by the South Platte River to the east, Sports Authority Field at Mile High to the north, and major roads to the west and south. A new initiative will help Sun Valley overcome these challenges and become a better place to live for current residents and future ones."
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Follow Us @DenverCPD
 We're tweeting about everything under the sun in Denver: our news, events and public meetings, as well as development, preservation, neighborhoods, transit, zoning and job openings. Follow us! We're going places...
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