🚧 When is Colfax construction over?

🚌 Colfax Is Finally Losing (Some of) Those Cones

If you have driven, walked, biked, or attempted to get anywhere along Colfax lately, you know that construction has been a nightmare. But good news! There’s finally some relief in sight. On September 27th, the first phase of Denver’s bus rapid transit project will open between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard, which means a major stretch of Colfax is about to emerge from nearly two years of construction. Finally we’ll get to see the 15L in its new habitat. [Denverite]

• So what’s actually changing? The fences, cones and heavy machinery are coming down between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard. Two center lanes are now bus-only, with new steel arched stations replacing the classic Colfax curbside stops. Buses begin using the new lanes on September 27th, while construction continues down East Colfax. [Denverite]
• Drivers, pay attention: Cars will stick to the outer lanes, and left turns will only be allowed at signalized intersections. A new median separates eastbound and westbound traffic, so your usual Colfax drive may take a second to get used to. [RTD]
• Show your Colfax favorites some love! Businesses along Colfax affected by the construction have taken a big hit. Pete’s Kitchen told Denverite its revenue dropped more than 10% back in May. Nob Hill Inn was preparing to close at the end of September, but Denverites rallied around the nearly century-old dive to make sure it sticks around awhile longer. [Denverite / Westword]

🏙️ Are These Ideas Good Enough to Bring Denverites Back Downtown?

Developer Asher Luzzatto, who pursued a brief bid for LA mayor in 2022, has received millions in loans from Denver’s Downtown Development Authority to buy four office towers in LoDo and transform the mostly vacant buildings into residential spaces. But will the idea work? Would people really relocate downtown to live in an old office? City Cast Denver host Bree Davies sat down with Asher Luzzatto in our latest podcast to talk shop.

🔊 Mayor’s Announces 2027 Budget Proposal

Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled his proposed budget for 2027 last Thursday, and while there are no layoffs in the works, major cuts from the past two years aren’t being restored, either. As Johnston vows to fund areas like public safety, homelessness, and Safe Routes to School, budget spending is projected to grow faster than revenue in the long term. City revenues are also expected to rise 1.1%, the strongest since 2023, thanks to increased sales tax revenues, especially downtown. The plan will now move to City Council for a vote. [Axios Denver]

🏘️ City’s New Homeless Shelter Surprises, Frustrates Neighbors

After finding out on social media that the city planned to build a 400-bed homeless shelter next to their neighborhood, residents of Clayton voiced frustrations over not being consulted. The facility will sit on the site of Monroe Village, the former tiny home village for transitioning people out of homelessness.

• Denverite reports that, while many community members believe in supporting their unhoused neighbors, they think permanent affordable housing would be a better solution than a shelter. City representatives agreed that affordable housing would be the “highest and best use” of the land, but that it wasn’t possible in the near future. [Denverite]

🧑‍⚖️ Denver Sues Trump Over ICE Agents at Polling Stations

Denver joined multiple civil rights groups in suing the Trump administration after Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin suggested ICE agents could enter polling locations in “certain scenarios.” The city is arguing that doing so is a violation of federal law, and the lawsuit is an attempt to ensure people feel safe as midterm voting begins. [Courthouse News Service]