Voters To Decide On New Denver Transportation Department

DENVER, CO — Denver voters will choose whether to amend the city's charter to create a new proposed Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Mayor Michael Hancock announced Tuesday.

The new department will focus on "planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the city’s transportation networks," a statement from the mayor's office said.

The idea would be to better integrate bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in complete "multimodal systems and networks."

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The proposed new department would allow more control over the future of RTD and let the city invest in new transit micro-routes such as the short-lived Cherry Creek to Capitol Hill service or the driverless airport shuttle launched near DIA.

The new department would follow the Denver’s Vision Zero program towards a "safer transportation system for all users," the press release said.

Eulois Cleckley, executive director at Denver Public Works was on-board with the program, calling it a way to "take transportation and infrastructure projects from concept to completion in a more integrated, sequential and coordinated manner."

“This new department will more effectively deliver transportation and mobility improvements to the people of Denver," Mayor Hancock said. "[The department] solidifies our commitment to providing a safe, affordable, equitable, convenient and seamless mobility networks citywide.”

Hancock has been criticized by his opponents in the upcoming May mayoral election for the transportation woes of the city, which has expanded so quickly over the past decade.

Read about the proposed change to the city charter here.

Check out Denver's Vision Zero program here.