It’s been three years since Denver voters approved a citywide fee to fund sidewalk improvements and property owners will be seeing that fee appear for the first time on this year’s stormwater bills. Curious about the details? We’ve got you covered!
What is the fee?
A majority of property owners will pay a flat fee of $150 per year, which is split over biannual stormwater bills. Property owners with more than 230 feet of sidewalk are charged an additional $3.50 for every foot over 230 feet. Every property owner will be charged a fee, regardless of the condition of current sidewalk infrastructure — even if a property currently doesn’t have an existing sidewalk — because the fee covers both repairs and future construction.
You can apply for assistance with covering these fees though the city’s rebate program, which is assessed based on income and household size. If your household is already receiving a rebate for trash fees, you’ll automatically receive the rebate for the sidewalk fee as well.
Curious what your sidewalk fee might be? Use the city’s online tool to find out!
How is the money being used?
The city is expecting to collect around $40 million per year to go to sidewalk construction and improvements. Earlier this month, City Council approved a $15 million contract for the master plan that will guide the build out of the sidewalk network across the city. The project outlines 300 miles of new sidewalks and improvements to more than 1,200 miles of existing sidewalks, which could take around nine years to complete.
While the master plan is being put together, city officials have said they will begin working on some of the more damaged sidewalk spots, but haven't yet provided more specifics. To report major sidewalk damage, like gaps and elevation differences of an inch or more, check out the city’s online portal.
