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Aurora staff outline East Colfax BRT timeline, business supports and safety features ahead of May construction
Summary
City staff briefed the council on the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project, saying Aurora construction will begin in weeks, run into 2027, and full BRT service is expected in early 2028. Staff described business support, an outreach plan and security/accessibility measures.
Carly Campazano, Deputy Director of Transportation and Mobility in the Public Works Department, presented an informational update on the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project and Aurora'specific preparations.
Campazano said the regional BRT route runs from downtown Denver (Union Station) east along Colfax through Denver into Aurora and terminates at I-225. The project includes three distinct segments: a downtown center-running segment that has required intensive construction in Denver, a downtown loop area with existing bus lanes, and an Aurora segment (Yosemite to I-225) that will be side-running in mixed traffic with station and corridor improvements.
Campazano said construction in Aurora is expected to begin within weeks, with an Aurora groundbreaking expected in early May, and construction continuing through 2027. She said full BRT service on the corridor is estimated to begin in early 2028. Aurora'specific features include two "signature" Havana stations with ticket vending machines for off-board fare collection, level boarding at five locations to improve accessibility, real-time passenger information displays, and security features such as cameras, emergency phones, lighting and PA systems.
To mitigate business impacts, staff described a communications and small-business support plan that includes a social-media "We Back the Facts" passport campaign, monthly business chats, door-knock outreach ahead of construction, and a small-business support package targeted at about 25 businesses deemed most affected. Support options cited include financial assistance, marketing and website help, water-efficiency assessments and security improvements.
In response to council questions, Campazano said the Aurora segment should be less disruptive than Denver's center-running construction because most Aurora work will be side-running and localized; Denver stations required longer closures and detours. She also said RTD and APD/RTD police are coordinating on security staffing; vending machines and buses will have audible and braille features to assist riders who are visually impaired; Xcel Energy is upgrading corridor lighting.
Campazano described outreach measures including targeted business letters (to start soon), monthly contractor Q&A sessions, door knocks, flyers and subscription-based construction updates. Construction impacts will vary by location and may require short-duration lane closures concentrated near station work.
Councilmembers thanked staff and asked for continued engagement with small businesses and neighborhood groups ahead of the May start of construction.
