Denver Suburbs Preparing for a Transit-Oriented Future

With a slew of new rail transit lines opening on the FasTracks system, Denver-area suburbs are readying their development environments for transit-oriented opportunities.

2 minute read

August 19, 2016, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Denver Region

welcomia / Shutterstock

John Aguilar reports on the land use decisions of the city of Wheat Ridge—a bedroom community west of Denver—in preparation for the region's expanding transit system.

The city approved a zoning change that will allow for "a sizable multifamily housing development to go in next to the end-of-the-line station on the G-Line," according to Aguilar. The G Line is expected to open to service in October, as part of a series of transit openings in the region this year, as part of the FasTracks system expansion.

Wheat Ridge isn't the only Denver-area suburb to make room for more multi-family development, according to Aguilar. "Twenty miles away, Lone Tree has massive plans at not only its existing Lincoln Station light rail stop but for three additional stations that will be built over the next two years as part of the Regional Transportation District’s Southeast Rail Extension." The mayor of Lone Tree has described transit-oriented development as a "new Colorado Gold Rush."

Back in Wheat Ridge, the zoning change isn't the only way the city is preparing for its new transit options. "Wheat Ridge recently hired a consultant to help identify the steps it needs to take to 'catalyze TOD development' at the station while voters this fall will decide whether to pass a sales tax increase that will pump $12 million into street construction and a pedestrian bridge at the site," writes Aguilar.

Monday, August 15, 2016 in The Denver Post

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.