Denver’s Changing Neighborhoods

Rocky Mountain PBS – As cities age across the country, there is a movement to maintain infrastructure by also changing a community’s way of life. In Denver, it is called a  ‘Living Street’ — an area that supports mobility (mass-transit to biking to walking to, even, automobiles), public interaction and economic development through the planning and repurposing of urban land near transit lines.

In a series of short videos, Rocky Mountain PBS — as a part of Blueprint America — depicts the varying aspects of the Denver Living Streets Initiative, and the rebuilding of Denver.

Rocky Mountain PBS – Colorado is growing. In 1950, Colorado’s population was just over 1.3 million. By 1980, nearly 3 million. During the 1990s, the state added over one million inhabitants, or about 275 people each day. In 2000, Colorado had 4.3 million residents. In the Denver metro area alone, some 2.8 million people live there — and by 2030, Denver’s population is expected to grow by 1 million.

At the same time, the state is trying to grow its infrastructure to meet the demands of its growing population. The Denver metro area already has an extensive public transit system, and is seeking to expand it with more light-rail in the coming years.

Colorado State of Mind on Rocky Mountain PBS — as a part of Blueprint America — talks with Colorado’s state planners to see how the state is managing its infrastructure.

Joining Colorado State of Mind host Cynthia Hessin:

Cynthia Hessin, Colorado State of Mind

– Bill Vidal, Denver Manager of Public Works

– Margo Hatton-Wolf, Pueblo Riverwalk Foundation

– Parry Burnap, Denver Mayor’s “Greening” Director

– Trent Prall, Engineering Manager, city of Grand Junction’s public works and planning departments
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Rocky Mountain PBS is a partner station of Blueprint America