FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sue Cobb/Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
Denver Announces Designated Parade Route to Invesco Field at Mile High for Use on the Final Day of the Democratic National Convention
(DENVER) The City and County of Denver announced Monday details of the Designated Parade Route to be available on the final day of the Democratic National Convention – Thursday, August 28, 2008 - for groups seeking to march toward Invesco Field at Mile High. Details of additional transportation impacts for Thursday, August 28th are still being finalized and will be announced in the coming weeks, but City officials underscore that downtown will be accessible and inconveniences to local residents, employees and businesses will be minimized.
“This Designated Parade Route to Invesco Field at Mile High recognizes the value our community places on free speech, providing diverse organizations access to a safe and visible Convention parade route in an approach and timeframe that minimizes mobility impacts on local businesses, residents and visitors,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper. “This Thursday parade route continues the commitment embodied in the preceding route to Pepsi Center – providing a course and hours of operation that respect the desire of demonstrators to be seen and heard, as well as the needs of local residents and commuters to get to and from work before and after the parades take place.”
As an expression of support for the rights of people to express their views safely and in a manner that respects the rights of others along with local, state and federal laws, the City and County of Denver announced in February its intention to provide a Designated Parade Route and waive its standard fees, making it available free-of-charge to groups wishing to conduct parades during the week of the Convention.
A Designated Parade Route will be available all four days of the Convention (August 25-28, 2008) between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Monday through Wednesday, the already-announced route will go from Civic Center Park to the public viewing area in Lot A of the Pepsi Center.
PARADE STAGING AREA: Thursday, August 28
On Thursday, August 28, requesting groups will be able to gather on Mariposa Street between 12th and 13th Avenues at 10:00 a.m. Since parking options are limited, those participating in the parades are encouraged to use public transportation or other alternatives to get to the staging area.
PARADE TIMES: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The first parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. Groups will continue with staggered start times, adhering to the Thursday schedule already provided, with the final group crossing the start of the parade by 2:30 p.m. to arrive at the route terminus by 3:00 p.m. Because the parades will take place during non-rush hours, downtown business commuters and residents will have the opportunity to get to and from work with minimized inconvenience.
PARADE ROUTE: Thursday, August 28
On Thursday, August 28, the Designated Parade Route to Invesco Field at Mile High will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the intersection of Mariposa Street and 13th Avenue and proceed northbound to Colfax Avenue. The route will continue west on the westbound lanes of Colfax Avenue from Mariposa Street to Federal Boulevard. The route will continue on northbound Federal Boulevard from Colfax Avenue to no further north than 20th Avenue, where it will proceed east to the yet-to-be-finalized public viewing area, within sight and sound of the delegates.
Southbound Federal Boulevard – and one lane of northbound Federal Blvd. - will remain open during the parade. As is standard safety protocol for parade routes, prominent signage designating the route and traffic management/safety personnel along the route will be provided.
Parade-Related Street Impacts and Recommended Routes:
- Colfax Ave. will remain open during morning rush hour, but will be closed from Mariposa Street to Federal Blvd. beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 28 until the Convention program concludes at Invesco on Thursday night. Westbound Colfax will be detoured to Kalamath Street. Eastbound Colfax will be detoured at southbound Federal Blvd.
- One northbound Federal Boulevard traffic lane – from Colfax Avenue to 20th Avenue – will close at 9 a.m. and reopen at 3 p.m.. One northbound lane of Federal Boulevard – and all of southbound Federal Blvd. - will remain open throughout the parade.
PARADE ROUTE BUSINESS ACCESS: Thursday, August 28
Businesses along the parade route – and their customers – will have access both before and after the 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. parades. The City will work with businesses in the area to provide access during the parade as well.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) plans to run normal bus service during the Democratic National Convention, adjusting routes impacted by street closures. Passengers may experience some delays due to these detours. RTD will provide information on these adjustments through its web site, the RTD Telephone Information Center, and information posted on buses and light rail. Any transit impacts related to the Invesco Field event on Thursday, August 28, will be announced once those details are finalized.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES:
The City continues to work with law enforcement officials to finalize plans regarding mobility and access on Thursday, August 28, 2008. As with all other aspects of the Convention, the City of Denver’s intention remains to minimize any impacts on roadways, businesses and residents. More details about access and mobility around the Thursday, August 28th event at Invesco Field at Mile High will be available in the near future.
Beginning today, targeted outreach will take place to residents and businesses in the aforementioned areas. That outreach will also include the following upcoming informational sessions scheduled for Northwest Denver residents and businesses include:
- Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at North High School, 2960 N. Speer Blvd.
- Saturday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Denver Human Services, 1200 Federal Blvd. (Enter on east side of building and check with security to be escorted to room 3110)