Members of the Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea (GES) community are advocating for essential infrastructure upgrades to enhance safety in their neighborhoods.
During a recent meeting held at the Johnson Recreation Center, residents expressed their frustrations that they must plead for basic amenities that are routinely provided to other areas.
A concerned mother from Globeville, who preferred to remain anonymous, articulated the community’s needs clearly: “We want safer streets.”
The streets of GES, where many early, last-century residents once worked and settled, continue to serve as thoroughfares shared by RTD buses and large trucks servicing local warehouses and equipment yards.
This dual use presents a significant safety concern for the community’s youth, particularly with many children utilizing the recreation center nearby.
“One Johnson Recreation Center worker highlighted the issue, noting, ‘We have a lot of kids who use the recreation center. Sometimes they’ll just run into the streets without looking. They could easily get hit.’
This concern is heightened during the summertime when the center is bustling with children out of school, leading to increased instances where they might dart into traffic without paying attention.
In response, Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) is actively listening to these safety concerns and working collaboratively with the community.
At their latest meeting in early April, DOTI officials presented architectural renderings that reflect community feedback on desired improvements.
DOTI planner Jennifer Hillhouse emphasized, “We’re getting feedback from people for how they travel in their community. We’re looking at the local streets and how we can provide safe movement.”
While there isn’t a singular street being targeted, Washington Street and Brighton Boulevard, both heavily traveled routes, are significant areas of focus.
Over recent years, Denver has made considerable strides in implementing infrastructure improvements across the city where escalating traffic has compromised safety for both vehicles and pedestrians.
The GES community has reached a critical point in this ongoing challenge.
Finding effective solutions, a challenge that has persisted as Denver continues to grow, will likely involve practical measures rather than extensive construction.
“The project is more signing, striping, (installing) speed bumps, and traffic circles,” Hillhouse noted. “Just slowing people down.”
In addition to pragmatic safety measures, the city aims to incorporate overdue aesthetic enhancements to the area.
“We want to have more landscaping,” Hillhouse stated.
Moreover, a solution that may seem obvious — the need for more sidewalks — has been a longstanding request from community members, and it is now being recognized.
Hillhouse confirmed, “Sidewalks are a big priority,” though she added, “That is on a different timetable.”
Funding for these essential upgrades will derive from bond financing and the city’s Transportation Improvement Program.
“We’ve been cobbling much of the funding together,” said Hillhouse.
The character of Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea has transformed over the years, with the departure of many early immigrant families who contributed to the neighborhood’s heritage.
Today, newer immigrant groups and younger families seeking affordable housing options have settled in the area, forming a vibrant and changing community.
As they look to the future, GES residents are hopeful for a comprehensive partnership with the city to create a safer environment, affirming their commitment to making their neighborhoods better for generations to come.
image source from：https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/15/ges-residents-hope-city-will-provide-safer-streets-2/
