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Student urges pedestrian bridge and predictability for Colfax Avenue BRT
Summary
A Denver high school student told council that bus-rapid-transit construction has made Colfax crossings unpredictable and unsafe, recommending a pedestrian bridge at complex intersections such as Colfax and Colorado Boulevard to restore clarity for pedestrians and support local businesses.
Arwin, a high school student who drives and walks on Colfax Avenue, told the council crossing the corridor "used to feel very routine" but that bus rapid transit construction has altered pedestrian routes and created inconsistent signals and temporary barriers. "Pedestrian safety is not just about rules on paper. It's more about predictability," Arwin said, arguing that unpredictable intersections push pedestrians to avoid crossings and hurt local commerce along Colfax.
Arwin recommended targeted infrastructure where complexity is highest — for example, a pedestrian bridge at Colfax and Colorado Boulevard — to separate pedestrian movement from traffic and provide a direct path to BRT platforms. The student said the bridge would restore predictability, which in turn would encourage more foot traffic and support businesses along the corridor.
The comment linked safety to economic effects: when pedestrians avoid crossings, fewer people stop at local businesses. The speaker also said they had interviewed residents and workers along Colfax who reported rerouting or avoiding certain intersections.
The council did not comment during the public comment block; the clerk had reminded speakers that council members would not respond from the dais during this half-hour period.
