East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit Project in Colorado Earns Envision Silver

The City and County of Denver has earned an Envision Silver distinction for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, recognizing the project’s contributions toward advancing sustainable, resilient, and equitable transportation solutions. Developed after years of study and extensive community input, the project will deliver center-running BRT service along East Colfax Avenue from Broadway to Yosemite, with dedicated transit lanes, enhanced stations, and improved pedestrian and bicycle connections. Beyond this area, BRT will be side-running. Once in service, the East Colfax BRT will reduce transit travel times by up to 30 minutes, expand affordable and reliable access to more than 250,000 jobs and community services, enhance comfort and safety, and support placemaking and economic development opportunities along the corridor.

The East Colfax BRT Project was developed to meet the increasing demand for transit travel along Denver’s most central commercial corridor and to support the region’s future growth with safe, affordable, and equitable mobility. With population and employment expected to increase significantly through 2040, weekday ridership on East Colfax is projected to rise by as much as 40 percent, yet the corridor is already operating near capacity during peak hours. Its limited right-of-way leaves little room for expansion, and without major improvements, congestion and delays will only worsen, threatening reliability for the thousands of people who depend on Colfax transit every day. This project addresses these challenges with a faster, more reliable, and more accessible transit service that strengthens transportation connections throughout the region and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by enabling more non-motorized trips. It also advances Denver’s Vision Zero initiative, making the corridor safer for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders. Beyond transportation benefits, this project supports long-term economic vitality, encouraging future investment in the corridor, and expanding placemaking opportunities.

The City and County of Denver selected the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework to guide the East Colfax BRT Project’s sustainability goals as part of its broader commitment to delivering cost-effective, environmentally conscious, and high-quality infrastructure as outlined in its strategic transportation plan, Denver Moves Everyone, and in its Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Sustainability Policy. By committing to Envision verification, the City ensured this project would not only improve mobility, but also deliver community benefits like reduced transportation costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, better air quality, safer streets, and opportunities for placemaking and fostering long-term economic vitality along the corridor.

East Colfax BRT is currently under construction with completion anticipated by 2027. An online project dashboard provides community members with regular updates on construction progress.