Sidewalks Throughout Denver

Beginning in mid-August, the city of Denver will implement a new Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program which will ultimately include our CCHN area. Although no firm timetable is in place, CCHN inspection will be the second citywide area of the program to be addressed. Per city ordinance, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their properties. In order to assess existing sidewalks that present a hazard to public travel, the city will perform formal inspections to determine sidewalks, citywide, that are damaged, uneven, or sloping excessively. Denver Public Works (DPW) will contact property owners of the required repairs mandating repair work begin 45 days after home notices are left and mailed notices are issued. This repair program will not address missing sidewalks or gaps in sidewalks which is dealt with by Denver’s Sidewalk Gap Program.

To begin the repair process, property owners may choose a DPW contractor to do repairs based on cost estimates provided or can hire their own preferred contractor. Ultimately, DPW will re-inspect all properties to determine if issues have been adequately corrected. Nancy Kuhn, DPW Director of the Public Information Office, indicates homeowners in historic designated districts like CCHN will not encounter additional city approvals to fix their sidewalk problems. Financial assistance will be provided to homeowners who qualify.

Sidewalk repair options include patching with grout or epoxy to fill cracks, gaps or holes, mud jacking to repair tilted slabs to level the grade of the sidewalk, and grinding/shaving repair to remove a portion of the elevated slab. In some cases, sidewalk hazard situations will require partial or full replacement. Particular challenges may be faced by property owners with flagstone sidewalks due to cost and limited contractor expertise issues. Regarding healthy mature trees with roots lifting up sidewalks, the DPW supports finding creative solutions with the property owners, including arborist opinions, to remedy walking hazards.

Information about the Neighborhood Sidewalk Repair Program can be found HERE.

By Alice Anneberg