Denver to Shift Sidewalk Repair Work to City, Funded by Property Owners

The city is shifting from a piecemeal approach to sidewalk repairs that charged property owners with doing the work to a more streamlined, city-led process.

1 minute read

October 2, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Row of light red brick condominium buildings along quiet street with concrete sidewalk in Denver, Colorado.

Residential buildings in the River North Arts District in Denver, Colorado. | Jen Lobo / Adobe Stock

The city of Denver is taking a new approach to funding sidewalk repairs, using a fee levied on property owners to fund repairs managed by the city. According to a Marketplace report by Rebecca Tauber, voters approved the measure in 2022. In the past, property owners were also responsible for making the repairs, leading to a piecemeal approach.

“In Denver, most property owners will pay $150 annually starting in January. That should bring in about $40 million per year. With that kind of money, the goal is that the city can build and fix all sidewalks in a decade.” The program includes discounts for low-income property owners.

Having safe and effective sidewalk networks provides multiple benefits beyond safety and accessibility and ensures that all people can move around the city safely.

Friday, September 27, 2024 in Marketplace

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight