Denver, CO Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Base charge
- $150 per account, under 230 ft frontage
- Excess frontage fee
- $3.50 per additional linear foot
- Who repairs
- City repairs sidewalks, funded by charge
- Enforcement
- Unpaid charges become a property lien
- Enacted
- Ord. No. 1076-24, effective September 16, 2024
Summary
Denver funds sidewalk construction, reconstruction, and repair through a citywide sidewalk service charge billed to every property owner, rather than requiring owners to personally repair the sidewalk abutting their lot.
Historically, each owner of a lot or parcel of real property adjacent to the sidewalk within the city was responsible for the construction, reconstruction and repair of the sidewalk abutting their property. To create a comprehensive, integrated, and accessible sidewalk network, while also reducing the burden on individual property owners to construct, reconstruct, and repair sidewalks, this division promulgates and sets forth a sidewalk service charge to be paid by the owners of every lot or parcel of land within the city...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver's code historically made the abutting property owner responsible for building, rebuilding, and repairing the sidewalk in front of their lot. A 2024 ordinance (Ord. No. 1076-24) replaced that duty with a citywide sidewalk service charge: $150 per billing account for under 230 linear feet of frontage, plus $3.50 for each additional foot, funding city-performed construction, reconstruction, and repair. Owners still must keep sidewalks clean and maintain right-of-way improvements under a separate code article; unpaid service charges become a lien on the property, collected like delinquent property taxes.
Violations & Fines
Failing or refusing to pay the sidewalk service charge, or evading collection, is a code violation; unpaid charges become a lien collected like delinquent property taxes, and the city can sell the property if the lien remains unsatisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who repairs sidewalks in Denver?
How much is Denver's sidewalk service charge?
Do I still have any sidewalk duties as an owner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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