Far Southwest Area Plan

The draft Far Southwest Area Plan organizes the community vision into six guiding themes that lay out the future for the area:

• Loretto Heights Area Plan(PDF, 15MB) (2019)
• South Platte River Corridor Study(PDF, 37MB) (2013)
• Federal Boulevard Corridor Plan(PDF, 8MB) (1995)

• North: Jewell Avenue
• East: The South Platte River and border with Arapahoe County
• South: Border with Arapahoe County and Jefferson County 
• West: Border with Jefferson County  

• The Far Southwest Area is defined by the South Platte River and a varying topography with intersecting interstates and other major road corridors. This area evolved from focal point of Native American culture to agricultural land and later industrial and suburban housing developments. It was largely undeveloped and was later annexed and developed after World War II. 
• Today, the Far Southwest Area is home to 57,554 residents of which nearly half are Non-Hispanic, White (49 percent); 39 percent identify as Hispanic. This area has a higher proportion of children than the citywide average, but a lower proportion of adults aged 20-49, indicating many households have more children than other parts of the city.

General

• The Far Southwest is defined by the entirely Suburban Context, which provides  a clear separation between uses and has a more auto-orientated transportation network. There is a high percentage of single-unit residential housing featuring large lots and no alleys.  The neighborhoods are different from one another.
• Bear Valley, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, and Fort Logan are largely low residential but have key community centers and corridors on Sheridan and Federal Boulevards.
•  College View is within close proximity to light-rail, has large residential lot sizes, and includes a manufacturing preservation area with high concerns of job displacement.
• Marston has a nearly split mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings.
• Throughout this area is a significant amount of family-friendly housing with nearly 56 percent of units with 2 or more bedrooms, but there is a lack of missing middle housing and homes with accessory dwelling units (ADUs).  There has been a low rate of change among housing development in this area based on a lack of rezonings and permit activity.
• There are additional opportunities to rezone Former Chapter 59 zone districts, expand ADUs, and improve the mismatch between desired uses and what existing zoning allows.

Economy

• Overall, the Far Southwest has lower unemployment and poverty rates compared with citywide averages.  Much of the area’s commercial areas are aging and include underutilized land.

Housing 

• More than 60 percent of the planning area has single-unit residences. The majority of residents are homeowners, with only 36 percent of residents being renters, compared with 50 percent citywide average. There is a lack of housing diversity, providing an opportunity to provide different housing types and reduce displacement.  

Preservation and Design

• Some sites have been designated as historic landmarks, locally and nationally. Further research is needed to consider designation or other tools, especially for potential historic districts to preserve Mid-Century Modern houses, notably in Harvey Park South. 

• There is a lack of connectivity throughout the entire planning area, especially east/west connections but also north/south connections in Fort Logan in particular. 
• There is very limited bike infrastructure in these neighborhoods. In existing lanes, accidents are frequent, especially near Sabin World Elementary and in Harvey Park and Harvey Park South. 
• Much of this area is defined by major corridors, such as Federal and Sheridan, which continue to experience a high number of accidents.  These corridors have plans to improve public transit options, but Fort Logan and Marston may see decreased service.  

• Throughout the planning area there is limited access to public parks, but due to the development pattern, some private parks have been established.  The Bear Creek Trail, the Harvard Gulch Trail, and the South Platte River Trail are popular recreational trails but lack connectivity to a larger trail system and neighborhood access. Tree canopy coverage varies but is overall lacking in much of the neighborhoods, especially where large shopping centers exist alongside impervious pavement. 
• Food access to grocers or markets is most limited in Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, western Bear Valley, and parts of Fort Logan.  Health care facilities are generally well distributed but lacking in College View-South Platte.  

Bryan Botello - Project Manager
Senior City Planner
bryan.botello@denvergov.org

Abner Ramos
Associate City Planner
abner.ramos@denvergov.org

Council District 2
Councilman Kevin Flynn
kevin.flynn@denvergov.org

• Maximizing stakeholder participation and promoting awareness of the project via multiple communication channels
• Conducting a variety of in-person and virtual engagement activities 
• Collaborating with community members and organizations to gather input on concerns and opportunities in their neighborhoods

Established communication channels to bring awareness to the project and increase participation 

• Plan website 
• Project newsletter
• Social media
• Collaboration with one registered neighborhood organization and other community group networks
• Distributing fliers at local establishments and apartment buildings
• 70 yard signs
• 27,559 postcards 

Met with the Far Southwest Advisory Committee and Equitable Engagement Subcommittee to represent a diverse set of interests across the plan area, spread awareness, gather community input, and seek consensus on plan content 

• Advisory Committee Meeting #1, 7/23/2024 
• Advisory Committee Meeting #2, 7/30/2024
• Advisory Committee Meeting #3, 8/8/2024
• Equity Sub Committee #1 (joint with Southwest Area Plan), 10/23/2024
• Advisory Committee Meeting #4, 12/10/2024
• Equity Sub Committee #2, 1/30/2025
• Advisory Committee Meeting #5, 2/27/2025

Hosted focus groups to gather insight into specific mobility, quality of life, and land use concerns 

• Industrial Businesses and South Platte River Focus Group, 1/9/2025 
• Federal Boulevard Corridor Focus Group, 1/16/2025
• Far Southwest Centers Focus Group, 1/23/2025 

Collected community feedback via surveys and connected with stakeholders during pop-ups at existing community events and at CPD events 

• Sabin Elementary Festival, 9/13 
• Commun Community Celebration, 9/14
• Bear Valley Improvement Association, 9/17
• Harvey Park Community Organization 9/28
• National Walk to a Park Day @ West Harvard Gulch, 10/4
• Bear Valley Library Halloween Event, 10/23
• Mile High Trunk or Treat, 10/25
• Harvey Park Rec Center, 10/26
• Asbury & Tejon/La Lomita Park, 10/27
• Garrison & Union Park, 10/27
• Trick-or-Treat-Street at JFK High School
• Hadley Branch Library – Día de los Muertos, 11/2

Collaborated with Community Navigators in focused population engagement to leverage their expertise and trust with the local community, remove barriers to participation and ensure equitable access to engagement opportunities. Community navigators from our partner organizations collected 110 surveys. 

• Commún 
• Una Mano, Una Esperanza
• BuCu West

Coordinated public meetings and community workshops to provide platforms for all community members to inform the plan at major milestones 

• Kick Off Meeting #1 at All Saints Church, 8/27/24
• John F. Kennedy High School Student Workshop #1, 10/23/24
• John F. Kennedy High School Student Workshop #2, 10/24
• Shady Acres Manufactured Housing Community, 10/29/24
• Abraham Lincoln High School Student Workshop, 11/4/24

Additional presentations, flier locations and pop-us:

• Harvey Park RNO, Presentation/QA, 3/16/2024
• 2024 Community Connection Expo, Distributed fliers,  4/3/2024
• CD2 Neighborhood Leaders Luncheon, Presentation/QA, 4/6/2024
• College View RNO Meeting, Presentation/QA, 4/9/2024
• South Fort Logan RNO Meeting, Presentation/QA, 4/18/2024
• Greenway's Family Stewardship Day at Bear Creek, Distributed fliers, 5/4/2024
• Ruby Hill Neighbors - Combined Social & Meeting, Presentation/QA, 5/21/2024
• DHA South Lowell Local Resident Council Meeting, Presentation/QA, 5/28/2024
• Community Conversation on Safety District 2 with MO and Flynn, Pop-Up, 5/30/2024
• Safe Summer Kick-Off, Distributed fliers, 6/8/2024
• College View Recreation Center Movie Night, Pop-Up, 6/12/2024
• Affordable Housing: District 2 & MO Community Conversation, Pop-Up, 7/24/2024
• Denver Days -End of Summer Adventure Party, Distributed fliers, 8/3/2024
• Denver Municipal Band Concert, Pop-Up, 8/6/2024
• Family Movie Night, Pop-Up, 8/12/2024
• Shady Acres Open House, Distributed fliers, 8/20/2024                            
• Commún Food Bank Distribution, Distributed fliers, 8/22/2024
• Southwest YMCA, Distributed fliers, 8/24/2024             
• Sabin Elementary Festival, Pop-Up, 9/13/2024
• Commún Community Celebration, Pop-Up, 9/14/2024
• Ruby Hill Neighbors RNO, Presentation/QA, 9/17/2024
• Bear Valley Improvement Association RNO Meeting, Presentation/QA, 9/17/2024

Engagement efforts focused on developing understanding of the community on the following topics in addition to gathering demographic data: 

• How can quality of life in your community be improved? 
  •  What activities would you like to engage in at parks, trails, or recreational centers? What changes could improve inclusivity and accessibility in the current parks and recreation facilities in your area?
  • Which amenities would you like prioritized for improvements to trails in your neighborhood? What do you consider most important for improving quality of life in your neighborhood?
• Land Use and Built Form
  • As the growth areas evolve, what items would you most want to see incorporated or celebrated?
  • What are the top challenges you face related to housing affordability?
  • What elements of family-friendly housing do you prioritize?
  • What elements best define culture and community in your neighborhood from your perspective?
  • What is one idea that you have that will help improve your neighborhood in the next 10-20 years?
  • What are you concerned about in your neighborhood now and in the future?
• Mobility
  • What streets and intersections do you feel uncomfortable on and why?
  • Where would you like a more direct or convenient route to a common destination in your neighborhood?
  • How can transportation, mobility, and safety be improved in your neighborhood? 

Quality of Life 

Overall, respondents enjoy using parks, trails, and recreational centers for walking/jogging, nature observation, biking, and picnicking. To improve quality of life in their neighborhoods, they emphasize improving infrastructure by supporting bike access, better sidewalks, and access to restaurants and shopping; improving recreational facilities and parks by increasing access hours, installing new equipment, and providing playground improvements; and increasing safety and security through improved lighting. Respondents expressed a desire for more shade structures and trash bins as well as improved restroom facilities and fountains for trails in their neighborhoods. Amenities that were prioritized include enhancing existing parks as well as developing new parks or green spaces. Additional support was expressed for expanding recreational facilities, improving trail connectivity, and installing picnic tables. Looking ahead, respondents would like to see improved safety and security in their communities, more green spaces and parks, and affordable housing and social support, especially social support for the homeless. 

Comments on restaurants and shopping highlighted a desire for greater access to local cafes, breweries, affordable restaurants, and other third spaces rather than needing to drive to other neighborhoods for these amenities. Respondents would like to see future growth incorporate local businesses that can thrive and survive in Far Southwest. 

Land Use 

Regarding their growth priorities, Far Southwest survey respondents highlighted incorporating green space and parks, increasing affordable housing, and celebrating public art. The greatest challenge for housing affordability is the cost of rent, following by housing availability and upkeep. To support more family-friendly housing, respondents largely emphasized safe streets, though having nearby parks, trails, and rec centers and access to housing with three or more bedrooms were also frequently mentioned. Elements that best define Far Southwest culture and community include the community itself – the people – as well as cultural events, celebrations, and traditions. 

See more about what we heard in the FSW Overall Comment Tracking sheet. 

Mobility 

Vehicle speeding and road safety concerns were highlighted on particular streets – and associated intersections – in Far Southwest such as Federal Boulevard, Dartmouth, Alameda, and Lowell. These streets are also uncomfortable to cross due to respondents feeling like drivers can’t see them well, difficulties in finding a break in traffic, and the streets being too far to cross. Additionally, respondents expressed a desire for better connections along Zuni & Dartmouth, Wadsworth to Broadway, and River Point. Emphasis was placed on having access to more frequent public transit routes, cameras and better lighting on streets, and bike lanes.  

• 516 have joined the project’s email list
• Approximately 250 people attended the kick-off meeting. 
•  800+ comments provided via focused engagement 
  •  1 kick-off meeting
  • 2 meetings with Registered Neighborhood Organizations (RNO)
  • 10 pop-ups at community events and public places
  • 1 touchpoint with manufactured housing communities
  • 3 touchpoints with high school students
  • 173 took the paper survey
  • 203 Kick-off Survey responses
  • 314 Land Use Survey responses
  • 184 Mobility and Quality of Life Survey responses
  • 5 Far Southwest Advisory Committee meetings and 2 Equitable Engagement Subcommittee
• Intentional outreach and participation have been conducted or started with the following partners:
  • Commún
  • Una Mano, Una Esperanza
  • BuCu West
  • Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) 

2024

• April 17: Welcome to your neighborhood plan!
• May 20: Advisory committee interest form closes soon!
• July 3: Take the kick-off survey!
• July 21: Save the date!
• August 15: Join your neighbors at August 27 community workshop
• August 26: TOMORROW: Join your neighbors at community workshop Tuesday, Aug. 27
• September 26: Share your voice!
• October 20: Don't forget to take the surveys!
• October 29: Less than a week left!
• November 6: Survey deadline extended!

2025

• April 17: First draft of Far Southwest Area Plan ready for public review!
• April 29: This Saturday: Join your neighbors at the open house!
• May 2: Tomorrow! Join your neighbors at the open house!
• May 13: Want to talk to city planners about draft Far Southwest Area Plan? Here's your chance!

   

• Far Southwest Overall Comment Tracking(XLSX, 1MB), which includes 
  • Comments from the kick-off meeting
  • Pop-up and Community Navigator Survey Results
  • Kick-off Survey Results
  • Online Land Use and Built Form Input
  • Online Mobility and Quality of Life Input
• Statistically Valid Survey(PDF, 8MB)  

The project archive will upload meeting materials and notes as they become available.