Denver Finalizes Transit-Oriented Housing Strategy as RTD Deploys $44 Million in Clean Transit Upgrades

Municipal Planning Teams Prepare Housing Density Framework Under State Law

DENVER, Colorado — Mobilizing to fulfill landmark statewide housing legislation, Denver municipal planning agencies finalized preliminary compliance strategies in October 2026 under Colorado House Bill 24-1313, known as the Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) law. The statute requires 32 Front Range jurisdictions to submit comprehensive land-use documentation by year-end demonstrating how local zoning will encourage high-density residential construction within a half-mile radius of frequent transit stops.

Mayor Mike Johnston and Community Planning and Development officials emphasized that rezoning transit corridors for multifamily housing directly supports the city's housing affordability targets while reducing automotive dependence. The municipal plan identifies strategic infill clusters along Colfax Avenue, South Broadway, and central light rail stations, establishing expedited permitting pathways for workforce developments.

Regional Transportation District Implements Clean Transit Enterprise Upgrades

Supporting transit-oriented density across the metropolitan area, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) rolled out expanded bus and rail schedules supported by a $44 million grant from the Colorado Clean Transit Enterprise. The funding injection allowed RTD to restore 15-minute frequencies on major arterial corridors, extend operating hours on the Flatiron Flyer bus rapid transit route, and expand bus shuttles connecting outlying park-and-rides with Denver International Airport.

RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson confirmed that the agency's 'Building a Better RTD' capital campaign is simultaneously completing 65 critical track and signal maintenance projects, including downtown rail intersection renewals, ensuring long-term system safety.

City Council Authorizes Capital Bond Packages for Civic Infrastructure

In municipal governance, the Denver City Council authorized funding packages for voter-approved capital improvement projects, allocating construction contracts for public library branch modernizations and neighborhood police precinct facility replacements.