A resolution approving a proposed Contract between the City and County of…

This resolution authorizes a professional design services contract between the City and County of Denver and HDR Engineering, Inc. for $3,034,623 over three years. The scope covers the South Platte River Trail segment from approximately 500 feet north of Mississippi Avenue to 200 feet north of Dartmouth Avenue, which marks the boundary between Denver and the City of Englewood. The work is limited to design services, meaning construction funding and contracts would come in a separate future action.

The South Platte River Trail is a major urban multi-use trail corridor running through the heart of Denver, connecting neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces along the river. Expansions and improvements to this trail are part of Denver's broader active transportation and parks planning framework, consistent with goals outlined in documents like Denver Moves: Pedestrians and Trails and the city's climate and mobility strategies. This particular segment lies in the southwest portion of Denver, an area that has seen ongoing investment in recreational infrastructure.

Fiscally, the $3 million figure reflects the cost of professional engineering and design services, which typically includes surveying, environmental review, community engagement, construction document preparation, and permitting support. This is a precursor investment before any construction dollars are committed. The funding source is not specified in the resolution text, but such projects commonly draw from a combination of city capital improvement funds, federal transportation grants, and parks levies.

Residents in Council Districts 2 and 7 are most directly affected, as the trail segment runs through their communities. Cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, and people who access the river corridor for recreation stand to benefit from improved trail infrastructure. Adjacent neighborhoods and businesses may also experience indirect economic and quality-of-life benefits. The City of Englewood is a neighboring stakeholder given the trail's terminus at the municipal boundary.

The contract was reviewed and advanced by the relevant council committee on August 13, 2025, following standard procurement and review procedures. HDR Engineering is a national infrastructure and engineering firm with an established presence in transportation and public works projects.

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Denver is considering a contract worth just over $3 million with HDR Engineering, Inc. to design a new segment of the South Platte River Trail, a multi-use path running along the river through the city. The specific stretch covered by this agreement runs from about 500 feet north of Mississippi Avenue to roughly 200 feet north of Dartmouth Avenue, which sits at the boundary between Denver and the neighboring City of Englewood. The three-year contract covers professional design work only, meaning actual construction would require a separate future contract and funding authorization. The Denver City Council committee advanced the item on August 13, 2025, with a full council deadline of September 15, 2025.

Supporters of the contract point to Denver's long-standing commitment to expanding its active transportation network and argue that completing gaps in the South Platte River Trail makes the corridor safer and more usable for cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians. Proponents also note that hiring a professional engineering firm at the design stage is standard practice for public infrastructure and that thorough planning reduces costly errors or delays during future construction. Advocates for parks and green space see the project as consistent with the city's climate and livability goals.

Skeptics and fiscal watchdogs may raise questions about the scale of design costs relative to the length of trail being studied, and some community members could argue that other trail segments or neighborhoods have more pressing needs. There is also the practical concern that a multi-year design process delays any on-the-ground improvements, which can frustrate residents who have been waiting for trail connectivity in that corridor. Because construction funding is not yet committed, there is no guarantee the completed design will move forward on any particular schedule.

For ordinary Denver residents, especially those in the south and southwest parts of the city near the affected districts, this contract represents an early but consequential step toward a more connected river trail system. If the design phase proceeds successfully and construction funding follows, the result would be a safer and more accessible recreational and transportation route along one of the city's most prominent natural features. The outcome of the council vote will determine whether that future becomes a near-term priority or a longer-term aspiration.