Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) will see a budget increase of $7 million compared to last year, totaling $135.5 million, with a focus on reducing traffic fatalities through various measures such as speed cameras and improved signage. Councilmember Chris Hinds raised concerns about the absence of bike lane improvements in the budget, with DOTI Director Amy Ford explaining that they are included in neighborhood traffic management and asset management programs.
Meanwhile, Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience (CASR) will see a slight budget decrease of $100,000 compared to last year, with a total budget of $6.3 million. CASR has specific goals to reduce building emissions citywide, including a mandate for new construction to use electrical heating elements instead of natural gas by 2027.
CASR is also prioritizing fleet electrification and alternative travel modes, with plans to invest $6 million in electric vehicle replacements and $7.4 million in EV charging infrastructure. The office is also addressing the heat island effect in Denver by planting trees in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods and providing cooling and air filters to households in need.
Overall, both DOTI and CASR are aligning their budgets with Mayor Mike Johnston’s citywide goals, focusing on improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and addressing climate vulnerabilities such as extreme heat. While DOTI’s budget increase reflects a commitment to enhancing transportation safety, CASR’s slight budget decrease does not diminish its efforts to promote sustainability and resilience in Denver.
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