Colorado

A bus next to the re-located light rail station at Denver's Union Station

Denver Opts for BRT over 'Modern Streetcar'

The 10-mile Colfax Ave corridor has the city's highest bus ridership but plagued by traffic congestion. After a 2-year study, bus rapid transit with dedicated lanes was selected by city and county staff as part of a $115 million investment strategy.

August 22, 2014 - The Denver Post

All Fracking Initiatives Pulled Off the Ballot in Colorado

When we last reported, two anti-fracking initiatives were circulating. Since then, two industry backed, pro-fracking initiatives were set to join them on the November ballot. Gov. John Hickenlooper struck an agreement to remove all four measures.

August 12, 2014 - The Denver Post

Denver Skyline

Should Urban Planners Live in the City?

The Denver Post writes about Brad Buchanan, who in February became the executive director of the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development.

August 11, 2014 - Denver Post

Poor Planning Decisions Exacerbate Wildfires—Should Locals be Held Accountable?

A new study by the union of Concerned Scientists faults local development policies that place homes in wildfire-prone areas for the increasing cost of wildfires. Should local agencies split the bill for the risks they've permitted?

August 5, 2014 - KUOW

On the Importance of Denver's Union Station: Then and Now

The reopening of Denver's Union Station last weekend provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of rail, with its hub at Union Station, in establishing Denver, as well as the city's multi-modal future, again with its hub as Union Station.

July 29, 2014 - Colorado Public Radio

An Anti-Fracking Initiative...in Texas?

The fracking rebellion has finally spread to The Lone Star State. Citizens of Denton have had enough with environmental woes from fracking close to homes and gathered signatures. Plus: the outcome of litigation against Colorado 's first fracking ban.

July 28, 2014 - The Texas Tribune

Denver's Historic Union Station Gets Grand Opening Today

Called one of the most complex public works projects in Denver's history, Denver's new Union Station will lie at the center of a rapidly growing rail and transit network.

July 26, 2014 - KWGN

Colorado's Anti-Fracking Initiative Dropped from November Ballot

Organizers for a statewide measure to allow cities to ban fracking admitted to having insufficient signatures for placement on the November ballot. They will try again for 2016. Organizers hope to qualify two other initiatives to restrict fracking.

July 20, 2014 - The Colorado Observer

Study: Safety in Bike Numbers Found on the Streets of Boulder, Colorado

The high mode share of bikers in Boulder, Colorado allowed researchers to verify findings already documented by researchers in Europe.

July 2, 2014 - PhysOrg

Proposed 'Transit Oriented Denver' Strategic Plan Targets Station Area Investments

The city of Denver recently released its "Transit Oriented Denver" strategic plan to the public. The plan does not revise existing station area plans, but does aim to coordinate between multiple city departments on a "concise work program."

July 1, 2014 - Denver Community Planning and Development

First Colorado City Votes to Reject Fracking Moratorium

Loveland became the first city in Colorado to reject a voter-imposed moratorium on gas and oil hydraulic fracturing. Voters in five cities have approved moratoriums since 2012 though they are being contested by energy companies and the state.

June 30, 2014 - The Coloradoan

First State Legislature to Regulate Uber and Lyft: Colorado

Ivan Moreno reports for the Associated Press on the Colorado Legislature's approval of a bill to regulate transportation network companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar.

May 21, 2014 - AP via Denver Post

Colorado Legislators Pass Bill to Reform Tax Increment Finance Districts

House Bill 1375 in Colorado would rewrite the rules of tax increment finance—sending more money to counties, which hope to gain more funding to provide for services. The bill awaits the signature (or veto) of Governor John Hickenlooper.

May 19, 2014 - The Aurora Sentinel

The Need for Services for Denver's Suburban Homeless

Like in many other metro areas in the country, homelessness and poverty are spreading to the suburbs in Denver. And like in other suburban areas, homelessness hides better in the suburbs, so services can be scant for a problem that is large.

May 18, 2014 - Denver Post

Denver Opens New Union Station Bus Terminal to Great Expectations

Denver's Union Station Bus Terminal opened over the weekend, the latest step in its ongoing transformation into a hub of intermodal activity as well as a bridge between the contemporary and the historic.

May 14, 2014 - Denver Business Journal

AAA Expanding Roadside Assistance—to Bikers

AAA recently announced that it would offer roadside assistance for bikers in need in Southern New England and Colorado, joining similar programs in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, New Jersey, and British Columbia.

May 3, 2014 - Boston Globe

The Reviews Are In: Denver's West Rail Line

After a year of operation, Denver's 12.1-mile West Rail Line has provoked an ambivalent public response.

April 29, 2014 - The Denver Post

Alley Scene

Alleyways as Pathways to Urban Revitalization

From D.C. to Seattle, alleys are being reinvented as people-friendly spaces. Often perceived as dirty and dangerous, alleys are moving beyond garbage and garages to become havens for pedestrians, public art, and small business.

April 22, 2014 - Elevation DC

The Economics Behind Crude by Rail

Sure, it costs more than moving by pipeline—double or triple the price per barrel. But look at the speed: five days versus 40. A new rail terminal in Beaumont, Texas sheds light on the economics that make CBR attractive to shippers and refineries.

April 19, 2014 - The New York Times - U.S. - The Texas Tribune

Does Exhausting the Highway Trust Fund Have a Silver Lining?

Avid highway opponents are less concerned about filling the Trust Fund gap, notwithstanding the effect on transit, and more on stopping road expansion. Widening of Colorado's I-25 and U.S. 26 in Oregon may halt without an agreement for new funds.

April 6, 2014 - The Coloradoan

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.