Colfax Avenue, one of the area’s most historic streets, is a key east-west transportation route and the backbone of a thriving and diverse community. With significant population and business growth expected in the coming years, now is the time to reimagine the Colfax experience with a focus on moving more people, more efficiently and more safely along the corridor.
Click to see the full detailed version of each infographic
Current Phase
TheEast Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is entering the final design phase. Key tasks include:
- Further refining the BRT station design elements and working with Denver Arts & Venues on incorporating public art
- Advancing Colfax streetscape concepts to promote both consistency and community character
- Selecting the Lynx logo and soliciting input on the branding color palette
- Conducting further curbside access and safety analyses to address operations along Colfax and parallel streets
- Working with Denver Economic Development & Opportunity to strengthen support for small businesses in advance of project construction
The project team, led by Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) as well as Triunity and Atkins, anticipates delivering on several key milestones throughout final design. These include the pursuit of federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts grant program and the submittal of all pieces for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. The project team’s Technical Working Group, which includes representatives from the City & County of Denver, RTD, CDOT, DRCOG, FTA and the City of Aurora will continue to guide progress toward these milestones.
During the final design phase, the team will reconvene the Community Task Force, representing business, neighborhood, and community interests from both Denver and Aurora, and will engage a broad set of community members across multiple in-person and digital touch points.
Project Timeline
- 2020–2022: Preliminary design, engineering and environmental review
- 2023–2024: Final design and FTA Small Starts application process (pursuing federal funding)
- 2024–2026: Bidding, construction, and bus acquisition and testing
- Early 2027: BRT service begins
Refined Station Design & BRT Name
Community feedback on the center-running station design themes was collected in 2021 through an online tool and supplemented with additional input from Task Force and community workshops. This feedback was used to refine the station design in ways that enhance transparency, accessibility, safety and comfort for all transit riders.
The refined design includes ample weather protection, transparent materials for improved visibility, tactile and/or audible wayfinding, comfortable and sufficient seating for all, low grade ramps, ample lighting, security cameras and noise-absorbent materials. The team will continue to refine the station design as part of the final design phase.
In addition, as part of the preliminary design phase, the public and key project stakeholders generated nearly 40 potential names for the citywide BRT system. Ultimately, following significant input, Lynx was selected as the name for Denver’s BRT. An animal native to Colorado, Lynx connotes speed and the ability to “link” thousands of riders daily to their jobs, schools and communities.
In 2008, the City and County of Denver’s Strategic Transportation Plan identified the need to move people more efficiently within the City to improve traffic flow and rider and pedestrian safety. Because demand for RTD’s 15/15L bus service along Colfax is higher than all other RTD routes, the City selected the East Colfax Corridor to explore new transit approaches.
A Streetcar Feasibility Study was conducted in 2010, followed by a more detailed 2012 analysis of current and future needs along the Colfax corridor. In 2018, following six years of outreach and community input, 75% of the public recommended center-running bus rapid transit (BRT) as the preferred design alternative. The design process and environmental review began in late 2020.
Scope and Purpose
After years of studying East Colfax Avenue and gathering significant community input, the City and County of Denver will evaluate a center-running bus rapid transit (BRT) service from Broadway to Yosemite with a dedicated transit lane in each direction. The project includes new and enhanced transit stations, service amenities, improved pedestrian and bike connections, and placemaking opportunities. West of Civic Center Station to Denver Union Station, BRT will operate in the side-running transit lanes along 15th and 17th Streets. East of Yosemite to I-225, BRT will be side-running in mixed flow traffic with potential enhanced stations that will be coordinated with the City of Aurora.
Upon implementation, the project will reduce transit travel time by 15 to 30 minutes, provide more affordable and reliable access to over 250,000 jobs and community services along the corridor, enhance comfort and safety, and create exciting streetscape, placemaking and economic development opportunities.
Timeline
- 2012–2014: Planning and initial analysis of corridor alternatives
- 2015–2016: Initial recommendation for side-running BRT on Colfax
- 2017–2018: Introduction and evaluation of center-running BRT on Colfax
- 2018–2019: Determination of center-running BRT as the locally preferred alternative
- 2020–2022: Preliminary design, engineering and environmental review
- 2023–2024: Final design and FTA Small Starts application process (pursuing federal funding)
- 2024–2026: Bidding, construction, and bus acquisition and testing
- Early 2027: BRT service begins
Funding
Elevate Denver Bond Funding
Denver has secured $55M in funds for the East Colfax Corridor BRT through the Elevate Denver Bond Program, which voters passed in 2017. The City intends to leverage Elevate Denver Bond funding, along with funds from other available sources, to secure additional grant funds to achieve the full vision for the East Colfax BRT.
Voters also approved $20M for pedestrian improvements on Colfax Avenue in the Elevate Denver Bond program. These funds will provide permanent improvements including medians, curb extensions, and enhanced crosswalks at key intersections as well as streetscape enhancements such as furniture, trees and lighting in certain business improvement districts (BID).
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Funding
Denver also applied CIP dollars to make near-term safety improvements at 12 intersections along East Colfax, including Grant, Logan, Pearl, Washington, Clarkson, Lafayette, High, Adams, Hudson, Krameria, Monaco and Uinta, that will inform the future BRT design. Improvements include the addition of paint, bollards and signage to enhance vehicle visibility and pedestrian safety.
Archive
The archive includes key documents from the public engagement, analysis and design efforts to date. It will be updated regularly as the project progresses. If you would like to request an archived document that is not accessible on this website, please contact the project team at ColfaxBRT@denvergov.org.
Public Engagement
Alternatives Analysis
Conceptual Design
- BRT Conceptual Design Technical Report
- Conceptual Design Presentation (Community Task Force – August 2018)
- Corridor Wide Pedestrian Safety Project Materials
- Colfax BRT: Conceptual Design Station Areas
- Colfax BRT: Conceptual Design Pedestrian Crossings
- BRT Design Evolution
- Map of BRT station locations, signalized intersections and new protected ped crossings
December 2022: Setting the Stage for Final Design
As we round out the year, we are thankful for the time and insights you have contributed to improving the preliminary design of the Colfax BRT, a project that will transform the look, feel and function of one of Denver’s most unique and most traveled corridors.
Here are a few key milestones from the past year that have set the stage for the Colfax BRT final design phase in 2023.
The Year Ahead
We look forward to another busy and exciting year! As the project moves into final design in 2023, key milestones are:
- Further refining the BRT station design elements and working with Denver Arts & Venues on incorporating public art
- Advancing Colfax streetscape concepts to promote both consistency and community character
- Selecting the Lynx logo and soliciting input on the branding color palette
- Conducting further traffic and safety analyses to address operations along parallel streets and curbside access
- Working with Denver Economic Development & Opportunity to strengthen support for small businesses in advance of project construction
The project team anticipates receiving the FTA Small Start grant rating in early 2023, submitting all pieces for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review by the Spring, and submitting the FTA Small Starts Construction Grant Application in August 2023.
We are excited to engage you in these topics in early 2023 and to ensure the Colfax BRT delivers on our collective vision to move more people, more efficiently and more safely along the corridor.
January 2022: A Look Back at 2021
2021 was a busy and exciting year for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project! In partnership with the Regional Transportation District, Colorado Department of Transportation and others, Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) kicked off the preliminary design and engineering phase of the project.
In addition to confirming the East Colfax BRT center-running alignment, route patterns and station locations, DOTI advanced the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process and preliminary BRT station design themes. The team also developed a funding strategy, and, as a first step, submitted the project to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for Small Starts funding consideration. Colfax BRT is now officially listed in the FTA's Pipeline of Capital Investment Grant projects.
Most importantly, we heard from the community! Hundreds of you shared your hopes and aspirations for the project and the station design themes through the project's virtual engagement hub, numerous public meetings, surveys and events. While big change generates natural and healthy skepticism, you told us that you care about this project and the impact it will have on your communities.

What We've Learned
- The 15/15L is loved for the access it provides to major destinations and services along the corridor. In the future, it is important that the Colfax BRT enhance rider experience in terms of speed, reliability and comfort. Creating connections to other transit services and bike pedestrian facilities across the city will also be important.
- Invaluable to the Colfax experience are the local businesses along the corridor and the services they provide. Finding ways to support these businesses before and during Colfax BRT project construction is a top priority.
- Enhancing public spaces along Colfax through sidewalk improvements, lighting and thoughtful streetscaping will elevate the corridor experience for all people – not just transit riders. Opportunities to expedite these enhancements are welcome!
- Colfax BRT should preserve and enhance what makes the corridor unique. Aligning Colfax BRT with community priorities as expressed in the East and East Central Area Plan is a must.
- Colfax BRT stations should be accessible, safe and comfortable for ALL riders and, to the extent possible, reflect the vibrant and eclectic nature of the communities along Colfax. Thoughtful lighting, local art, transparency, ambient noise absorption, green infrastructure and audible/tactile cues will all be factors in designing an inclusive BRT experience.
Station Design Theme Feedback Summary(PDF, 221KB)
What's Coming in 2022?
In the year ahead, we plan to share initial findings from our ongoing traffic and parking analysis as well as strategies to address congestion, diversion and safety concerns. We'll seek your feedback on initial Colfax BRT branding ideas as well as updated station design concepts informed by public input. Key milestones include submitting the project's NEPA proposal and refined engineering and design plans.
November 2021 Station Design Workshops
The Colfax BRT Project Team has been gathering the community's input on early station design themes. Hundreds of you have already shared your feedback on these themes as part of the Station Design Survey. If you haven't yet contributed your thoughts, we'd love to hear from you!
As a next step in the Colfax BRT public engagement process, we hosted a series of virtual station design workshops in early November aimed at gathering input from transit riders and other key stakeholders with unique perspectives and lived experiences.
The workshops focused on issues and perspectives important to the aging, disability and business communities, but we invite anyone to consider attending one of the following workshops, to help the project team design BRT stations that can provide safety, accessibility, comfort and local appeal for ALL riders while meeting the needs of the local business community.
- November 3: Workshop for People with Disabilities
- November 9: Workshop for the Aging Population
- November 10: Workshop for BIDs & Developers
July 2021: Colfax Avenue is Among the Nation's Best Performing Transit Corridors
Strong ridership during the pandemic highlights the importance of equitable access to reliable public transportation
Pandemic-era ridership data for the RTD 15/15L bus service on Colfax Avenue showcases the importance of affordable and accessible public transportation. While nationwide transit ridership dropped sharply to 20% of pre-pandemic levels, Colfax corridor bus ridership remained at over 60% of prior ridership levels, or nearly three times the national average.
As the world faced an unprecedented global health crisis that forced so many to stay home, an average of nearly 13,500 essential frontline workers boarded the 15/15L routes each day to bravely serve our community.
Far from just a commuter corridor, Colfax Avenue connects the region’s most diverse and densely populated neighborhoods to critical destinations. In fact, 40% of all transit trips along Colfax originate and end locally within the corridor without requiring transfers. Public transportation on Colfax carries students to classrooms; brings home groceries; connects residents with essential health and human services; and guides frontline workers to their jobs.
As the City and County of Denver, in partnership with RTD, the City of Aurora and CDOT, moves forward with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Colfax, equitable access to high-quality public transit will continue to be prioritized. The people who rely on these routes, as well as the importance of the street itself as a place for community, guide the vision for Colfax BRT:
- A SAFE street - based on vision Zero and pedestrian-first design
- A street for PEOPLE - a street that creates spaces for active neighborhood centers and open sidewalks for retail and pedestrian uses
- A street with transit at its HEART - which includes efficient, affordable, reliable and comfortable operations and long-lasting redevelopment and mobility benefits
- A street that WORKS - a street that moves more people, not just vehicles and improves mobility for all modes of transportation
Ultimately, as the City works to meet the transportation needs of one of Denver’s most diverse and densely populated corridors, it remains mission focused: moving more people, more efficiently and more safely along the Colfax Corridor.
Get Involved!
Now is the time to learn more about this phase of the process and provide valuable input. We hope to see you at the next community workshop!
June 2021: Bus Rapid Transit on East Colfax Moves Forward
Faster and More Reliable Service Coming to Denver’s Busiest and Most Diverse Transit Corridor
The City and County of Denver is taking important steps to bring center-running Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to East Colfax Avenue. Building on years of study, planning and significant community input, the project team will now complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and preliminary design of the project. These elements will be critical in the pursuit of additional grant funding, final project planning and the ultimate construction.
Center-running BRT on East Colfax Avenue will provide one dedicated transit lane in each direction from Broadway to Yosemite. With transit ridership and traffic congestion along the Colfax corridor projected to increase in the coming years, center-running BRT will deliver faster and more reliable service to Denver’s busiest transit corridor and some of the city’s most diverse and populated neighborhoods.
Colfax BRT is the largest transportation project the City and County of Denver has ever embarked upon, leveraging $55M in Elevate Denver Bond funding passed by voters in 2017. The project will transform Denver’s busiest transit corridor – serving 22,000 daily riders – and serve as a modelfor future projects to move more people, more efficiently across our city.
Benefits of BRT on East Colfax include:
- Faster transit travel time of up to 15 minutes during peak hours
- Improved safety, connectivity, accessibility and mobility options for all travelers
- Enhanced streetscaping and economic development opportunities
Why now? Despite drastic changes to traveling patterns and commuting during the pandemic, the bus routes serving East Colfax remain the busiest transit lines in Denver, serving tens of thousands of residents and essential workers every day.
Virtual Engagement Hub
East Colfax Corridor BRT Virtual Engagement Hub
Use the interactive tools to find the latest information on the project, including community presentations and project renderings. We encourage you to explore the virtual engagement hub and share your feedback through the online tools!
For information about past public meetings, please visit the Public Meetings Archive.