About 40% of Denver’s sidewalks are either missing or do not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. A city plan from over 20 years ago recommended moving sidewalk repair responsibilities to the city and implementing an annual fee for funding. Grassroots advocacy led to a citizen-initiated ordinance in 2022, which implemented the original city plan. The ballot measure, known as 'Denver Deserves Sidewalks,' received 56% voter support. Sidewalk repairs are scheduled to start in July 2025. Denver's experience could serve as a model for other cities facing similar issues.
"Don't underestimate how sexy sidewalks are," says Locantore.
In 2022 we just got tired of waiting and decided to do a citizen-initiated ordinance, which is basically implementing exactly what the city's own plans had been saying we should do.
The ballot measure, dubbed 'Denver Deserves Sidewalks,' swayed 56% of voters. There was no organized opposition to the measure.
Sidewalk repairs started July 2025.
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