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

This resolution authorizes Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) to enter into a contract with Alta Planning + Design, Inc., a nationally recognized firm specializing in transportation planning, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, parks, and urban design. The contract is structured as an on-call professional services agreement, meaning the city can draw on the firm's expertise for a range of projects as needs arise over a three-year base term, with the option to extend to five years, up to a total of $3 million.

On-call or indefinite-delivery contracts are a common procurement mechanism used by municipal governments to maintain access to specialized consulting services without the delay and cost of competitive bidding for every individual project. Denver's use of this model is consistent with standard practice in large U.S. cities and reflects a need for flexibility in managing a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and planning initiatives citywide.

The fiscal impact is capped at $3 million over the contract period, drawn from DOTI's budget. This figure represents a ceiling, not a guaranteed expenditure. Actual costs will depend on how frequently and for what projects the city engages Alta Planning + Design. The per-project task orders issued under this contract would likely be subject to additional internal review and approval processes.

Alta Planning + Design has a broad national footprint, with prior work in cities including Portland, Denver, and Los Angeles, often focused on active transportation networks, Vision Zero safety planning, and complete streets design. Their engagement with Denver through this contract would likely support projects aligned with the city's existing transportation and infrastructure goals.

Stakeholders affected include Denver residents who use public streets, trails, and parks, as well as neighborhood organizations, advocacy groups focused on cycling and pedestrian safety, and other engineering and planning firms that may have competed for this contract. The contract committee approval on November 19, 2025, suggests the procurement process followed established city procedures.

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Denver's City Council is set to vote by December 22, 2025, on a contract worth up to $3 million with Alta Planning + Design, Inc., a national urban planning and design firm. The agreement would give the city's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure on-call access to professional planning services for up to five years, allowing DOTI to assign specific projects to the firm as needs arise rather than issuing a new competitive bid each time. Alta Planning + Design is known for work on bicycle networks, pedestrian safety, parks planning, and complete streets design across the country.

Supporters of the contract argue that on-call agreements are a proven and efficient way for large cities to manage specialized consulting needs. Rather than leaving projects delayed while new contracts are negotiated, the city can move quickly when planning needs emerge. Advocates for active transportation infrastructure may also view the selection of Alta Planning + Design favorably, given the firm's track record on projects that prioritize walking, cycling, and multimodal connectivity.

Critics of this type of procurement structure raise concerns about reduced competition once a single vendor is under contract. Smaller and locally based planning firms in Denver may find themselves effectively locked out of city work in this category for the duration of the agreement. Others note that the open-ended nature of on-call contracts makes it harder for the public to assess what specific outcomes the city is paying for.

For ordinary Denver residents, the practical effect of this contract will depend on which projects DOTI assigns to Alta Planning + Design over the coming years. If the firm is engaged on street safety redesigns, trail expansions, or neighborhood planning initiatives, residents could see tangible changes to public spaces in their communities. The contract itself does not guarantee any specific project or outcome, but it positions the city to act quickly when planning capacity is needed.