Denver Moves Everyone 2050

Denver Moves Everyone logo

Getting Denverites Where They Need to Go

Denver Moves Everyone 2050 is the citywide Strategic Transportation Plan for the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure that aligns our resources with our collective goals to achieve Denver’s transportation vision.

Over the past decade, Denver’s population has grown rapidly, placing additional pressures on our transportation system. Technology and smart phones have drastically changed how people and goods move through the city and during the same time, the number of crashes on Denver’s streets has continued to increase and transportation remains as one of the top sources of air pollution and the second largest source of greenhouse gases in Denver.

Clean air, safe streets and connected places – that’s what Denverites want most from their transportation network. Denver Moves Everyone reflects the voices of thousands of Denver residents from each of Denver’s 78 neighborhoods. With a focus on equity, DME calls for greater investments in Denver’s transportation system and to provide more travel choices that are:

  • accessible and affordable
  • safe, secure and comfortable
  • better for the environment including our air and water
  • destination-driven, with streets designed for people and shaped by communities and cultures
  • well-maintained in a state of good repair

The plan provides a number program and policy recommendations to prioritize capital transportation improvements in the near-, mid-, and long-term to result in increased safety, more connected and efficient travel options, reduced emissions, and greener streets.

View the Plan(PDF, 20MB)

Want to learn more? Visit DenverMovesEveryone.com to view a virtual open house to understand how community input was used to develop Denver Moves Everyone.

illustration of the five goals: Mobility, Safety, Sustainability, Community and Quality, with equity as a throughline

Short-Term Capital Program

DOTI must align how and where investments are made with our limited dollars to improve Denver's transportation system to advance our goals in the short-term. Developed in partnership with the community, Denver Moves Everyone defined an investment strategy that prioritizes transportation improvements projects that are anticipated to provide the greatest benefit in the areas of the city that need them the most.

View the short-term capital program(PDF, 483KB).

Want to learn more about how transportation has changed in Denver, and what travel looks like today? Read the Denver Moves Everyone State of the System Report(PDF, 10MB).

Accessible Version(PDF, 8MB)


Previous Public Engagement

DME Phase 4 – Capital Improvement Project

Phase 4 of engagement for Denver Moves Everyone (DME) – Capital Improvement Program ­– is complete. This phase ran from October 27 to December 12, 2022 and residents provided feedback on how DOTI plans to prioritize its dollars for transportation improvements to help achieve Denver’s shared vision and goals in the short-term. More than 1,500+ people participated during this phase.

Participants learned about the types of improvements DOTI makes to provide a more equitable transportation system that is affordable, reliable, safe, comfortable, and sustainable for everyone. An interactive map displayed hundreds of prioritized projects that represented 11 different project types.

An online tool was used to gather feedback on the plan of prioritized transportation improvements for the short-term. An archive of the tool can be viewed here.


DME Phase 3 – Prioritization & Funding

Phase 3 of engagement for Denver Moves Everyone (DME) – Our Transportation Future ­– is complete. This phase ran from April 11 to July 1, 2022, and gathered information about Denverite’s priorities to advance the projects that will move Denver toward the city-wide vision and goals. More than 3,200+ people participated during this phase.

DOTI asked the public how Denver should spend transportation dollars and what transportation improvements are most important to them and their neighborhoods. Specifically, we asked the public to rank spending priorities across four categories:

  • Operating Denver’s System, or having the people and tools needed to keep our streets going.
  • Maintaining Denver’s System, or fixing things like cracks, potholes, and broken signs to keep them in good shape.
  • Improving Denver’s System, or making our existing network of streets, sidewalks, bikeways and transit lines work better.
  • Expanding Denver’s System, or providing new travel options that didn’t exist before to connect more places.

The DME team used several tactics to gain feedback including an online tool, committee meetings and in-person events across Denver. An archive of the online tool can be viewed here.

Feedback will be used to enable the DME project team to begin identifying what transportation investments and policies should be prioritized both short and long term.

DME Virtual Public Meeting #3

The third virtual public meeting for Denver Moves Everyone was held on May 17, 2022. DME team members also answered questions and gathered feedback from the community throughout the meeting.

A recording of the meeting and meeting presentation can be viewed below:


DME Phase 2 – Our Transportation Future

Phase 2 of engagement for Denver Moves Everyone (DME) – Our Transportation Future – is complete. This phase ran from November 2021 to January 2022, and gathered feedback about what people want Denver's transportation system to look like in the future. More than 3,000 people participated during this phase.

During this phase, the DME team shared the project's vision and goals and possibilities for what Denver's future could look like. Specifically, we asked the public to share their thoughts on four different versions of how travelling in Denver could look in 2050 if:

  • We continued to travel much like we do today.
  • The changes we saw during the COVID-19 Pandemic – more people working from home and more things done online – accelerated.
  • We made big changes to travel options, with great transit, walking and bicycling systems.
  • Self-driving vehicles became common in Denver.

The DME team used several tactics to gain feedback during this phase, including an online tool, committee meetings, and in-person events across Denver. An archive of the online tool can be viewed here.

Feedback will be used to develop strategies to build the transportation system the public desires most and avoid the consequences of potential changes that are less desirable.


DME Virtual Public Meeting #2

The second virtual meeting for Denver Moves Everyone was held on November 17, 2021. DME team members also answered questions and gathered feedback from the community throughout the meeting.

A recording of the meeting can be viewed below.


DME Phase 1 – Our Transportation Values, Vision and Goals

The first phase of engagement for Denver Moves Everyone – Our Values, Vision and Goals – is completed and included two steps. The first step focused on understanding what Denverites value from their transportation system. In the second step, the DME team used values feedback to craft and verify a vision and goals for what we want our transportation system to become in the future. More than 7,000 people participated during this phase of engagement.


Step 1.0 – Understanding our Transportation Values

The first step of engagement for Denver Moves Everyone ran from June to August 2021. The DME team used several tactics to gain feedback during this phase, including an online tool, dozens of committee meetings, and six in-person events across Denver. Nearly 4,000 people provided feedback during Step 1.0. An archive of the online tool can be viewed here.

Feedback gathered during this phase focused on seeking input what people value for Denver’s transportation system. Key questions asked during Step 1.0 included:

  • What values matter most to you and best represent what you expect from Denver’s transportation system?
  • What are your current travel patterns around Denver?
  • What do you think are some transportation challenges we face today?

The planning team used feedback collected to create a set of transportation goals for Denver Moves Everyone 2050. Overall, the average top three values from all participants were comfortable neighborhoods and streets, climate change, and safety and security. These values were used to finalize the goals that were presented in Phase 1.1 and guided plan development.


Step 1.1 – Crafting our Transportation Vision and Goals

The second step of engagement for Denver Moves Everyone ran from June to September 2021. The DME team used several tactics to gain feedback during this phase, including an online tool, dozens of committee meetings, and 14 in-person events across Denver. More than 3,000 people provided feedback during Step 1.1. An archive of the online tool can be viewed here.

The DME team crafted draft goals based on feedback collected during Step 1.0, where people prioritized what they value for Denver’s transportation system. Key questions asked during Step 1.1 included:

  • Do the Denver Moves Everyone goals reflect your values? What goals are missing from the draft topics?
  • What is your vision for the future of transportation in Denver?
  • What actions should we prioritize within our goals?

The planning team used feedback collected during Step 1.1 to verify and finalize the vision and goals for Denver Moves Everyone 2050. Overall, 91% of Denverites either agreed or strongly agreed with the goals. These goals will be used to prioritize transportation investments in Denver.


DME Virtual Public Meeting #1

During Step 1.1, the DME team held its first virtual public meeting on August 25, 2021, and a recording of the meeting can be viewed below.

During this meeting, the planning team described how we are planning for the future of transportation in Denver, including a project overview, draft goals, and next steps. We asked participants to share their thoughts on the following questions:

  • What would you like this plan to accomplish?
  • What trends should we be planning for in the future?
  • Do you see your values reflected in our draft goal topics?

DME team members also answered questions from the community throughout the meeting. The feedback that was collected will be incorporated into the final goals and future phases of the plan.

Meeting Video (YouTube)
Meeting Presentation(PDF, 8MB)

What Does This Mean For You?

Well, do you want to stop kidding your friends and family that you’ll “be there in 10 minutes” and then get stuck in traffic, and sit there wishing you had other options to get places faster?

Have you ever found yourself waiting for the bus in the pouring rain, wishing they were more frequent, or the bus stop was closer to your home?

Maybe you’re looking to be a part of the fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ahhh, those promptly delivered packages. Are those a thing of your dreams?

And safer streets, we all want those, right? No one likes to scatter out of the street as someone speeds by.

Participate in the Plan for Our Future

No matter where you live, learn, work or play in Denver, we need your input to help us get Denver where it wants to go today and tomorrow.

Our Values

Shaping Our Future

Throughout the Spring of 2021, thousands of Denverites and community leaders provided insights on what they value and their vision for the future of mobility in Denver. This feedback was used to develop initial vision and goal statements. In the Summer of 2021, we then asked residents and partners if their values were reflected and what information was missing in the draft goal statements. Through this process, the DME vision and goals were crafted to reflect community voices.

Denver’s 2050 Transportation Vision

Denver’s vision is an aspirational statement describing what our city’s transportation system will be in 2050:

Denver moves everyone with respect and care. Denver is a city of safe streets, where all places are connected by sustainable mobility options that provide access and opportunity for those who need it most.

Denver’s 2050 Transportation Goals

Denver’s transportation goals reflect all aspects of a complete transportation system. There are five goals – Mobility, Safety, Sustainability, Community, and Quality; Transportation Equity is a crucial cross-cutting theme that will be advanced through each goal.

Denver Moves Everyone 2050 Transportation Equity graphic

During the development of our Denveright Comprehensive Plan 2040, you and thousands of other Denverites told us what’s important to you as our city evolves over the next 20 years.

By 2040, you envision that Denver is a(n):

  • Equitable, affordable and inclusive community with a high quality of life for all residents, regardless of income level, race, ethnicity, gender, ability or age.
  • Network of strong and authentic neighborhoods reflective of our diverse history.
  • Traversable city connected by safe, high-quality, multimodal transportation options.
  • Global city with a robust economy.
  • Thriving, sustainable city connected to nature and resilient to climate change.
  • City of safe, accessible and healthy communities.

Guided by these values and your input, Denver Moves Everyone aims to build a more united Denver in alignment with Blueprint Denver and Game Plan for a Healthy City.

Navigating Our Future - Current Opportunities

Growing Together

It’s no secret that Denver is a great place to live. Every month, new residents arrive, adding to the social and economic fabric of the city. In fact, Denver’s population has grown nearly 25% since 2010. As our population grows, we want to make sure our city meets the needs of residents today, and those of the future.

Denver Moves Everyone needs your ideas to help shape how our transportation system should improve so that we can continue to move freely and safely as our City evolves.

Mobility for Those Who Need it Most

Denverites venture about the city for its diverse offerings, visiting Federal Boulevard for the best Pho or City Park for a day at the Denver Zoo. While each neighborhood contributes to the lively culture of our great city, accessible and convenient transportation options aren’t always as easy to come by.<.p>

Some areas have miles of bike lanes; others have few or none. Some areas have reliable bus service; others cater to car owners. Some pedestrian crossings are well-lit at night; others are dim. And for many of us, transportation is a hefty monthly expense after adding up gas, maintenance, insurance, registration fees, and shared rides and bus fares.

Denver Moves Everyone will support building an equitable transportation system. This means targeting the right investments in the areas with the greatest need, allowing communities and individuals of all background to access the opportunities necessary to thrive.

Reduce Traffic Headaches and Create Safer Streets

Thousands of people travel through Denver daily! In fact, 450,000 come and go from Denver every single day. This creates traffic congestion, crashes, and delays.

Denver Moves Everyone will support building a street network that provides a range of transportation choices that are safe and convenient. This initiative aims to create better traffic flow and reduce the number of serious and fatal traffic crashes in support of Denver’s Vision Zero initiative.

Respect Mother Nature

Did you know that 28 percent of the ugly brown cloud in our air – AKA greenhouse gas emissions – is caused by transportation? That makes driving cars and trucks the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the Denver.

As Earth faces climate change, Denver has a responsibility to increase access to environmentally friendly transportation options. This accessibility not only brings freedom for residents to choose the way they prefer to get around Denver, but also reduces the environmental stress on the Earth and helps provide cleaner air for us to breathe.

Show me the Money

We need your help to make Denver’s transportation system dollars go further. With your input, we can prioritize the improvements that will have the biggest benefits across the city over the next 30 years. Talk to your family, involve your neighbors, and get involved to ensure your voice is heard.

Learn About Denver's Transportation and Development History

Denver Transportation Infrastructure and Development StoryMap

Examining the history of how our transportation system and development patterns occurred provides insight on the present-day conditions that affect the day-to-day lives of Denver residents.

Acknowledging this history raises awareness to the impacts felt by different communities from past transportation decisions and socio-economic practices over the last century. This is an important step in our agency's commitment to address inequities and build an equitable transportation system for Denver.

Learn more about how Denver's transportation infrastructure and Denver's development history has shaped our city that we see today by reading through Denver's Transportation Infrastructure and Development StoryMap here.