Denver Proposes Creation of New Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

DENVER – Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Public Works executive director Eulois Cleckley, joined by Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman and the mobility community, today announced a proposal to create a new Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The new department would better facilitate a multi-modal transportation system in Denver, helping people get to where they need to go with greater ease and freedom of choice.

“Creating a Department of Transportation and Infrastructure in Denver is one of many steps we are taking to reinvent our transportation system to improve connectivity, economic opportunity and quality of life for everyone,” Mayor Hancock said. “This new department will more effectively deliver transportation and mobility improvements to the people of Denver, and solidifies our commitment to providing a safe, affordable, equitable, convenient and seamless mobility networks citywide.”

Creation of a new department will require referral to the November ballot by Denver City Council and approval by Denver voters.

“This charter change and new department is needed to ensure that we, as a City, are focused on the future and can proactively embrace new and innovative solutions to solve the transportation challenges we are facing today,” said Mary Beth Susman, District 5 Denver City Councilwoman. “With a new department, we will have the systems and resources in place to create the next generation of Denver’s transportation and mobility systems.”

Denver’s proposal to the voters would include creation of a Department of Transportation and Infrastructure that would focus on the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the city’s transportation networks. Changes to existing Charter language would:

• Better articulate the responsibility of the department to build out complete multimodal systems and networks, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. 

• Enable the department to take a more proactive approach to mass transportation service delivery, and allow the city to invest in local transit services to supplement those provided regionally by RTD.

• More clearly emphasize the department’s role in providing programming to support Denver’s Vision Zero program towards a safer transportation system for all users.

• Create a Division of Public Works with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to handle utility functions including trash and recycling collection and maintenance of the city’s storm and sewer systems.

“With the creation of this new department comes an enhanced project delivery approach that takes transportation and infrastructure projects from concept to completion in a more integrated, sequential and coordinated manner,” said Eulois Cleckley, Executive Director at Denver Public Works. “We will be focused on creating multi-modal networks, positioned to build them more efficiently, and have the charter authority to try more innovative approaches.”

This more thoughtful approach to the expedited delivery of transportation projects is being embraced and celebrated by local mobility advocates.

“What happens on our streets directly affects our daily lives, and we're excited that a new department will be responding to the community's desire for better, safer transportation options and speeding up the build out of complete pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks throughout Denver,” said Piep van Heuven, chair of the Denver Streets Partnership.