Transportation shapes how we experience our city—and it plays a major role in Denver’s environmental health. From air quality to climate change to the health of our river, how we move matters. That’s why Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure’s (DOTI) Denver Moves Everyone 2050 plan is an important step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Denver Moves Everyone 2050 is Denver’s long-term, citywide transportation plan focused on moving everyone equitably, safely, and sustainably. At its core are four transportation policies that guide how streets are designed and how projects are prioritized—each with clear environmental benefits.
Safer Streets Support a Healthier Environment
DOTI’s first policy prioritizes safety in street design and reaffirms Denver’s commitment to Vision Zero, the goal of eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Safer streets don’t just protect people—they also encourage walking, biking, and transit use. When streets feel safe, more people choose alternatives to driving, which helps reduce traffic, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Making It Easier to Choose Low-Carbon Travel
A key goal of Denver Moves Everyone 2050 is supporting a mode shift—making it easier for people to walk, bike, roll, or take transit instead of driving alone. DOTI’s policies prioritize investments in these options, helping reduce transportation emissions while improving access and mobility for all Denver residents.
Fewer car trips mean cleaner air, quieter neighborhoods, and a transportation system that’s better for both people,the environment, and the river.
Putting People Before Cars
Another core policy commits DOTI to prioritizing people over personal vehicles on city streets. People-centered streets create space for safer sidewalks, protected bike lanes, better transit access, and more inviting public spaces. These designs help reduce vehicle dependence while supporting healthier, more connected communities—especially in neighborhoods that have historically experienced higher levels of pollution.
Building Sustainability Into Every Project
Environmental sustainability is woven throughout Denver Moves Everyone 2050. DOTI’s approach includes reducing transportation emissions, incorporating green infrastructure, improving stormwater management, and designing streets that can handle extreme heat and flooding.
These efforts help protect Denver’s natural resources, including the South Platte River, while building a transportation system that can adapt to a changing climate.
Moving Toward a Greener Denver
Denver Moves Everyone 2050 recognizes that transportation is about more than getting from place to place—it’s about shaping a city that works for everyone. By prioritizing safety, expanding low-carbon travel options, centering people, and committing to environmental sustainability, DOTI is helping create a Denver that’s healthier, more resilient, and better connected to the environment we all share.
River Rangers at the Zoo