One of the main responsibilities of a Business Improvement District is to keep the area clean and welcoming for all. Our clean team is out on the street every day and provides services that go above and beyond what’s typically provided by the city.
Maintenance services provided by the Colfax Ave BID include:
- Daily removal of garbage from 64 trash receptacles throughout the district
- Daily sweeping and litter removal in the public right-of-way
- Graffiti and sticker removal in the public right-of-way
- Pressure washing of sidewalks in the entire district multiple times throughout the year
- Snow removal from ADA ramps at street intersections
- Maintenance of Colfax Ave’s street decor, such as pedestrian light poles, banners, street benches, holiday lights, art-wrapped power boxes, etc.
Questions?
Streetscape
Colfax Ave Streetscape Initiatives
Our streetscape efforts in the public realm help create a spirit and vibrancy to Colfax to attract people to come and spend time at our businesses. On this page you’ll find a Design Guide for existing and new development, our Master Streetscape Plan that provides a long-term vision for Colfax, and our efforts surrounding 16th Avenue, a crucial connection for residents and visitors who bike, walk, or roll to our businesses on Colfax.
Colfax Ave Streetscape Design Master Plan
The Colfax Ave Streetscape Plan, created by studioINSITE, in partnership with ArtHouse Denver, Centro Group, our advisory council and Colfax Ave BID board, provides a strategic plan for Colfax Improvements, including safety implementations, branding, and building guidelines.
We know that Colfax Avenue holds a special place in the hearts of many and we spent countless hours working with our stakeholders, business and property owners, residents and friends to create a plan that provides enhanced safety guides, respects the historic nature of the street and improves the pedestrian experience, all while keeping our independent and original street thriving.
The ideas in the Streetscape Plan are conceptual and based off of over 500 points of data that were collected through various focus groups, stakeholder meetings, events, and online surveys.
Click here or on the image to view the Streetscape Plan in its entirety, or choose from one of the chapters below.
- Introduction – sets the stage for the plan including a brief history of the area, future vision, phasing strategy and overarching principles.
- Accessibility – includes an overview of data analysis as well as recommendations for improved connectivity and accessibility to the corridor. It focuses on creating a multi-modal environment – one that puts more emphasis on the pedestrian than the current environment provides
- Land Use – includes recommendations for preserving and enhancing the “Colfax character” through new development and adaptive reuse.
- Placemaking – presents “big ideas” for elevating Colfax Ave as a destination.
- Wayfinding – includes recommendations for a unique brand and identity and preliminary wayfinding signage design package.
- Final Streetscape Design – includes recommendations for specific streetscape elements as well as streetscape design guidelines.
- Funding – this chapter includes cost estimates and funding mechanisms for implementing recommended improvements.
16th Avenue Shared Street
The 16th Avenue Shared Street was established during the pandemic and designed to deter non-local vehicle trips and reduce speeds to create a safer environment for all ages and abilities to use the street for recreation and mobility. We teamed up with the Denver Streets Partnership in 2021 to host community events that demonstrated the need for safe and accessible travel along 16th Avenue, which serves as a “gateway” to our many local businesses along Colfax for those who bike, walk, or roll to their destinations.
Bike From Work Day
On September 22nd 2021, we hosted a Bike From Work Day party at the Economist Apartments with live music, free beer, and tasty food samples from our local businesses.
Porch Fest
On October 23rd 2021, the 16th Ave Porch Fest celebrated the benefits of safe, accessible, shared spaces for people as neighbors from Gaylord Street to Humboldt Street opened their porches to host musical acts and community members and called on Denver to permanently maintain 16th Avenue as a people-first shared street.
Safety
The Colfax Ave BID works very closely with the police and community on both long- and short-term strategies to improve safety on Colfax. The criminal activity, alcohol/drug abuse, and mental illness that converge on Colfax require different approaches for each condition. Our Safety Program works to untangle these distinct challenges.
Learn more about our Safety efforts and access resources on this page. We also provide a way for you to share information and ideas regarding safety along the corridor. Your help and input is always welcome. Click any of the headlines below to jump to the desired content.
Share your thoughts
What are you experiencing?
Where/When do you feel safe – why?
Where/When do you feel unsafe or uncomfortable – why?
Help us address your concerns with this 4 question form.
Designing Safer Environments
Designing the interior and exterior of the property can prevent crime as much as any tactic. Good visibility and lighting are key design principles, but not the only ones. The BID instituted a safety grant program in 2019. Matching and gap funds are to be used in the manner determined in collaboration with the business/property owner and urban planners provided by the BID.
The 24-hour Block
When the life on the street is active and vibrant, it creates an inhospitable environment for criminals who like to operate out-of-sight. The more that the street-life can bustle with good activity, the more we can discourage crime. One way to accomplish this is with the right mix of businesses that provide diverse services to the community throughout the day. Learn more in our blog about safety and the “24-hour Block”.
Non-crimes: Homelessness & Mental Illness
While people experiencing or emerging from homelessness and mental illness are not criminals, they are very often the prey of criminals who take advantage of them. Our efforts to address these issues do not include “criminalizing” people, rather we work to provide support and opportunities for them to get to a place of stability and independent living.
- For homelessness, we employ two strategies. Our Colfax Works program employs people emerging from homelessness and incarceration through a work-first model working daily to maintain a clean environment on Colfax. We also advocate for more workforce and affordable housing so people have a safe and secure place to live independently.
- For mental health issues, in addition to working closely with local social service providers, our Executive Director was appointed to the Caring For Denver Foundation board of directors that allocates over $30 million annually starting in 2020 for programs that provide help to those experiencing mental illness.
No Trespass Agreements
When your place of business is open, you and your staff are responsible for instructing people to leave if they are trespassing. When you’re closed, the Denver Police can enforce No Trespassing laws, but only if they have a signed agreement from you in order to enforce. Download the 2024 form, submit to Denver Police District 6, and contact the BID to get a legally-worded No Trespassing sign to place at your business. The trespass agreement forms need to be renewed each year.
Business & Neighborhood Watch
The familiar phrase “eyes on the street” is part of a good “Watch” program. The BID is working with District 6 Police to establish Business/Neighborhood Watch along certain blocks of Colfax. If you are interested in creating or participating in a Watch program for your block(s), contact the BID.
Who to call
The Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program deploys Emergency Response Teams that include Emergency Medical Technicians and Behavioral Health Clinicians to engage individuals experiencing crises related to mental health issues, poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse.
To request support from the STAR team, please call 9-1-1 if in Denver, or call the Denver Police Department’s non-emergency line at 720-913-2000 and an operator will dispatch the most appropriate, available response.
Only call 911 for the following reasons:
- To stop a crime
- To report a fire
- To save a life
Call (720) 913-2000 to report the following:
- Any crime to a person not life-threatening
- Burglary to a home not in progress
- Auto theft not in progress
- Parking complaints
- Loud music complaints