Strap in: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) aka “Lynx” is bounding onto Colfax, with service to begin early 2027. The 15/15L will be replaced with an exclusive center running bus lane and four new BRT stations to serve Congress Park.

More detailed information on station design and layout, can be found by searching “East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit” on Denvergov.org or visit the Community Virtual Engagement Hub at “aecomviz.com/Colfax360/”. A quick overview pdf of the project “Accessible Content” can be downloaded in the Hub website.

Denver is providing $75 million dollars after passing the Elevate Denver Bond Program in 2017, and in early 2023 additional funding will be pursued through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Final design and federal funding are scheduled to be completed by 2024.

The stated goals for BRT are to reduce travel time by 15-30 minutes, compared to the current 15/15L during peak hours, provide more affordable and reliable service along the corridor, with improved safety, connectivity, accessibility, mobility, enhanced streetscaping and economic development opportunities.

To accomplish these goals, Colfax is being redesigned as a center running BRT transit corridor, which provides exclusive lanes for buses in each direction. The center lanes of Colfax will become a bus super-highway, with unobstructed travel and traffic light priority at signaled intersections. The four new BRT stations serving Congress Park, will be located in the center of the street, and allow one lane of traffic in each direction for standard vehicle traffic. This design allows BRT to use standard right side loading buses, which lowers costs and matches the rest of their fleet.

The four new BRT stations from west to east are; Josephine / York, Fillmore, Madison and Colorado Blvd. These stations will replace the current 15/15L stops, 7 bus stops (east bound) and 6 bus stops (west bound). The distances between the Madison and Fillmore stations is the greatest at +1,900 ft. The reduction of bus stops allows faster transit speed between stations and the BRT lines are designed to allow fast all door entry/ exit boarding. Passengers can purchase tickets at station kiosks if they don’t have a bus pass.

West bound vehicle traffic entering our neighborhood on Colfax can only turn left at two locations, the signaled BRT Station intersections of Adams St. or Garfield St. within our neighborhood boundaries. Drivers leaving the neighborhood can also exit at Fillmore, Steele, or Madison St. The other north-south routes will be on the edge of the neighborhood at Josephine / York or Colorado Blvd. All other neighborhood streets that contact Colfax are right turn only.

I have followed and been involved with this project over the last 11 years and am sadly disappointed with how this project has engaged with the community. I know few residents are aware of this project or how it will impact them. I have repeatedly requested information on the future community engagement, station locations and traffic design calculations for the FTA, to bring to our community, but have only been met with silence.

If you would like to stand up with others in the community to reach out to our elected representatives and have seat at the table, forward your name, address, email, phone number and best way to contact you to cpnboard@congressparkneighbors.org, so we can forward updates and links to new BRT information. We need to be included and actively participate in these in these design decisions, that is using public money and will have a direct impact on all of us.

Myles Tangalin,

Congress Park Resident