Colorado

Denver Considers Raising the Bar for Preservation

Driven by recent controversies over efforts to have historic buildings designated as landmarks over owner objections, the city of Denver is looking at revising its historic-landmark designation ordinance to prevent "real-estate terrorism."

November 5, 2012 - The Denver Post

How Historic Preservation Turned Denver's Skid Row into a Success Story

Close to twenty five years after Denver debated the future of its historic, but blighted, Lower Downtown district, the city is reaping the benefits of its decision to preserve the “region’s largest collection of urban historic buildings.”

October 21, 2012 - Urban Land Magazine

Denver's Pedestrian 'Icon' Celebrates Its 30th Birthday

Jack Healy explores Denver's conflicted relationship with its 16th Street Mall, the pedestrian-oriented street that runs for a mile through the city's downtown. Bustling by day, but deserted and dicey at night, it has become an icon of the city.

October 10, 2012 - The New York Times

Denver Considers How to Heal Neighborhoods Decimated by I-70

Something will be done to help Denver's Elyria and Swansea neighborhoods recover from decades of decline brought by the construction of I-70. Will a plan to bury the interstate be replaced with an ambitious proposal to reroute the road entirely?

October 3, 2012 - The Denver Post

Denver Bike-Share: Progressive Urbanism or Elitist Folly?

As Denver B-Cycle, the country's first large-scale municipal bike-sharing program, seeks to expand with 27 new stations, one city councilman is objecting to the plans with concerns that the system is skirting poor and minority neighborhoods.

October 2, 2012 - The Denver Post

High-End Real Estate Makes Wildfires Worse

In Colorado and the West, the most desirable real estate is also the most likely to burn, writes Michael Kodas.

August 8, 2012 - OnEarth

Cater to Commuters or Residents? Denver Rethinks its Rail Stops

Denver is confronting a dilemma facing many cities as they build out their transit systems: what types of uses should be developed in close proximity to stations, and who should these facilities serve.

July 27, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

A National Model for Transit Equity

Kaid Benfield looks at a groundbreaking new report compiled by Reconnecting America and the equity coalition Mile High Connects, that suggests how the expansion of Denver's transit system could reach traditionally underserved populations.

May 7, 2012 - Switchboard

Colorado Confronts Senior Housing Crisis

Reflecting trends likely to effect many cities in the coming years and decades, Magdalena Wegrzyn reports on the growing need for affordable housing for seniors in the City of Longmont, 30 miles outside of Denver.

May 3, 2012 - The Denver Post

Denver Experiments With Participatory Budgeting

Bill Fulton and Chris Haller look at Denver's recent efforts to involve its residents in helping to solve next years anticipated $94 million budget gap.

April 28, 2012 - Engaging Cities

The Secrets to Stadium Success

Eric Jaffe looks to a new study published in the Journal of Urbanism comparing the triumphs and failures of new baseball fields in Denver and Phoenix for lessons on how to build a successful downtown stadium.

March 29, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

The Once and Future Urbanism of Sandwich Boards

Chuck Wolfe traces the comeback of sandwich board signage in cities, explains how associated regulations work, and offers reasons why such signage should be carefully fostered.

February 24, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Denver Shakes a Leg

A coalition of urbanists, doctors, and pedestrian enthusiasts are working to improve awareness, participation, and amenities for Denver's walkers. And in the least obese state in the country, their efforts are gaining an audience.

February 14, 2012 - The New York Times

Boulder Officials Consider Per-Household Transportation Tax

The extra $24 a year, tacked onto existing utility bills, would go toward covering a $3 million transportation budget gap and highway and bridge repair. This is the transportation officials' second try in convincing the City Council.

January 28, 2012 - Boulder Daily Camera

Denver Debates Closing the Beltway

The 102-mile circle that would become the Denver beltway sees no sign of completion as one city--one of Colorado's oldest--vociferously opposes it. But, at a regional level, it may be too late to curb decentralization and sprawl.

January 17, 2012 - The New York Times

Bright Future For New Apartment Construction; Not So For Home Ownership

Colorado Public Radio investigates the housing market in Denver, noting the revival of apartment building while single family homes and even condos remain at a standstill. Demand for rentals continues to outstrip supply in other cities as well.

December 1, 2011 - Colorado Public Radio via NPR

Fort Collins Shakes Up the Planning Paradigm

Like many cities, Fort Collins, CO is cash-strapped, but its plans are no longer dominated by handling sprawl. With development pressure out of the picture, a democratic blueprint for connecting residents to culture as well as space has emerged.

November 20, 2011 - The New York Times

Boulder Votes to Make Its Own Power

Last week, Boulder, Colorado voters approved the idea of firing their power company in favor of generating their own.

November 7, 2011 - GOOD Magazine

Colorado Voters to Determine the Fate of $50 Million Smart Grid Project

Mark Chediak of Bloomberg writes about a referendum being held in Boulder, Colorado that will decide whether or not to publicly take over the Smart Grid project implemented by Xcel Energy.

November 4, 2011 - Bloomberg

Colorado Voters to Determine the Fate of $50 Million Smart Grid Project

Mark Chediak of Bloomberg writes about a referendum being held in Boulder, Colorado that will decide whether or not to publicly take over the Smart Grid project implemented by Xcel Energy.

November 4, 2011 - Bloomberg

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.

Top Schools

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.