The Denver City Council has approved significant changes to how the public works department will bill Denver residents for sidewalk repair and construction. Instead of annual fees based on property size, a mostly flat rate will be implemented, with larger properties facing additional charges.
While the council voted 13-0 to approve the changes, members acknowledged that there is still much work to be done in the future, including property acquisition to widen sidewalks in areas where they are currently too narrow.
Property owners can expect to see sidewalk fees included in their semi-annual wastewater bills starting next year. The majority of homes and commercial properties will be charged $75 per bill or $150 per year. However, owners of large lots will face higher fees, with properties over 230 linear feet of frontage paying an extra $3.50 per foot.
Other changes approved by the council include rebates for low-income homeowners, discounts for apartment building owners with affordable housing units, annual fee increases based on inflation rates, and a revised timeline for completing the sidewalk program.
Advocates for better pedestrian infrastructure, such as disability rights advocate Jamie Lewis, are hopeful for the future of Denver’s sidewalks. Lewis emphasized the importance of world-class sidewalks in a world-class city.
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