Morrison Road Improvements

Denver's Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI) is transforming Morrison Road into a safer, more welcoming, and people-focused corridor. As a vital business and community destination in Westwood, Morrison Road will be upgraded between Sheridan Boulevard and Nevada Place, with the addition of new pedestrian plazas and other improvements. These enhancements will create a more inviting street that supports local businesses, improves safety, and makes it easier and more enjoyable for people to walk, gather, bike, and drive through the neighborhood.

Construction Activities

Crews will begin construction in August 2026, starting on the south end of the corridor near Sheridan Boulevard. Work will take place in sections, moving north, to alleviate impacts on the travelling public and maintain access to businesses and residences along the corridor.

Motorists and pedestrians should anticipate the following impacts:

Intermittent lane closures and flagging operations from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weekend and nighttime work only when required.
Sidewalk and crosswalk closures throughout the corridor, pedestrian detours will be in place.
Portions of driveways into businesses and residences will be intermittently closed during replacement operations. Businesses and residents will be notified prior to impacts.

Driving speeds will be reduced within the work zone. Please slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and leave plenty of space between vehicles.

Planned Improvements

Enhancements include:

Bulb-outs and speed cushions
Wider sidewalks and more lighting
New trees
New and improved pedestrian crossings
Two pedestrian plazas

Benefits include:

Slowing vehicle speeds
Increasing comfort and safety for pedestrians
Supporting Denver’s Vision Zero by improving corridor safety
Improving water quality and providing shade
Creating community gathering spaces
Amplifying the corridor's colorful culture

Maps of improvements:

For more information: Project overview and description of improvements

Project Map

Community Engagement During Planning and Design

Extensive community engagement during planning and design phases allowed public input to shape the planned improvements.

Engagement activities included:

2 pop-ups at Westwood Chili Fest
4 Community Advisory Group meetings
3 rounds of business office hours
1 public meeting and an online survey
19 meetings with impacted property owners
Neighborhood group presentations
Re:Vision food distribution pop-up
Door-to-door business visits
Online engagement and project notice distribution

Local Maintenance District

The project is located within the Consolidated Morrison Road Pedestrian Mall Local Maintenance District (the “Consolidated Morrison Road LMD”), established in 2004 to support maintenance of enhanced local public improvements within the Morrison Road right-of-way between Sheridan Boulevard and Alameda Avenue. The upcoming Morrison Road Improvements Project will add to and enhance these amenities, including enhanced landscaping and pedestrian lighting, two new pedestrian plazas, bicycle racks, benches, and expanded landscape irrigation. As a result, the additional improvements will increase fees paid by adjacent property owners within the Consolidated Morrison Road LMD, beginning in 2028. Details can be found in the April 2026 Benefits Study.

April 2026 Benefit Study for the Morrison Road Local Maintenance District(PDF, 1MB)