Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is set to receive a budget increase for the upcoming year, while the city’s climate office will see a slight decrease in funding. During a budget briefing on Tuesday, the allocations were presented through the framework of Mayor Mike Johnston’s four citywide goals, which remain largely unchanged from the previous year, reflecting the evolving needs of the city.
DOTI’s budget will amount to $135.5 million from the general fund, marking a $7 million increase compared to last year. A significant portion of DOTI’s efforts will focus on enhancing traffic safety, particularly in pedestrian-heavy areas. The department plans to implement measures such as speed cameras, improved signage, and better road markings to promote safer driving habits.
Despite these initiatives, Councilmember Chris Hinds raised concerns regarding the lack of a dedicated line item for bike lane improvements in the budget. He noted that community members have been vocal about the need for more bike lanes. In response, DOTI Director Amy Ford explained that bike lane investments are included within the neighborhood traffic management program, which also encompasses efforts for safer streets and bikeways. Additionally, she mentioned that these improvements are tied to the department’s asset management program, specifically its paving initiatives.
To bolster enforcement of traffic regulations, DOTI plans to add speed cameras along Alameda Avenue and Federal Boulevard—two of the city’s busiest corridors—by 2025. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce traffic-related casualties across Denver, complementing the existing Vision Zero program aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on the roads.
While DOTI is focused on infrastructure and safety, the city’s independent Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience (CASR) has more targeted environmental goals. One of the primary objectives is to reduce building emissions throughout Denver. The city has mandated that new constructions utilize electric heating systems instead of natural gas, with a complete ban on gas-powered heating or cooling equipment in new buildings by 2027.
In 2025, CASR plans to expand its efforts beyond buildings to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from both buildings and vehicles. Executive Director Elizabeth Babcock highlighted the importance of fleet electrification and alternative travel modes, announcing a significant investment of $6 million for replacing aging city vehicles with electric ones, alongside $7.4 million allocated for EV charging infrastructure.
CASR’s budget request stands at $6.3 million, a decrease of $100,000 from last year’s $6.4 million. Notably, funding for CASR will also come from the climate protection fund and other special revenue sources, which total around $50 million.
In addition to emissions reduction, CASR is prioritizing strategies to combat the urban heat island effect—a phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to a lack of green spaces. Babcock emphasized the urgency of addressing extreme heat as a key climate vulnerability for Denver. The office is actively working to plant trees in neighborhoods that are most affected by heat and providing cooling measures and air filters to households in need.
As Denver navigates its budgetary allocations, both DOTI and CASR are committed to enhancing the city’s infrastructure and environmental resilience, addressing the pressing needs of its residents in a changing climate.