City and County of Denver, CO

03/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/02/2026 14:10

City Council to Hold Final Hearing and Vote for Southwest Area Plan

City Council to Hold Final Hearing and Vote for Southwest Area Plan

Published on March 02, 2026

DENVER-Following an extensive public engagement process that began in 2024, the Denver City Council will hold a final public hearing and vote on the Southwest Area Plan at its meeting Monday, March 2. City planners from Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) crafted the 20-year vision in collaboration with community members in Athmar Park, Mar Lee, Overland, Ruby Hill and Westwood. The plan provides policy recommendations for city decision-making that focus on celebrating the area's cultural hubs, creating safe community spaces and supporting industrial spaces for jobs, housing that is stable and affordable, better infrastructure, and the protection of natural resources.

Southwest Area Plan - City Council Public Hearing
5:30 p.m., Monday, March 2, 2026

"From Morrison Road to South Broadway and everywhere in between, the Southwest Area Plan advances a thoughtful vision for these neighborhoods that puts the community's goals and priorities at the forefront," said CPD Executive Director Brad Buchanan. "I congratulate our staff and all who participated on a job well done."

"I am grateful to every resident and community member who participated in this process," said Council member Jamie Torres (District 3). "This collaboration has laid a strong foundation for the next chapter of Southwest Denver's story. More than anything, I am happy this plan affirms our commitment to investing in neighborhoods and reflects community priorities."

"The Southwest Area Plan is innovative because it connects the health of our neighborhoods to the health of the South Platte River," said Council member Flor Alvidrez (District 7). "It understands that safer streets, access to open space, housing opportunity, and environmental repair are all part of building a stronger community. This is a plan rooted in values, backed by community input, and designed to shape a healthier future for generations."

"While this plan includes only a small slice of Council District 2, I am appreciative of the efforts of the planning team, the community advisory board and the community navigators who put in hours of work to ensure a variety of voices were heard and reflected in the plan," said Council member Kevin Flynn (District 2).

About the plan

The draft Southwest Area Plan organizes the community vision into six guiding themes that lay out the future for the area:

  • Diverse Cultural Hubs: By 2045, the Southwest Area will be a vibrant cultural hub that honors its history and celebrates the diversity of its people, businesses, and neighborhoods.
  • Safe Communal Spaces: By 2045, the Southwest Area will offer a variety of safe, comfortable and welcoming spaces that bring people together and improve access to services, recreation, civic institutions, and the arts.
  • Integrated Industry: By 2045, the Southwest Area will remain a key center for industrial production and manufacturing, with stronger connections to surrounding neighborhoods.
  • Housing Stability and Options: By 2045, the Southwest Area will continue to offer housing that is affordable, stable and suitable for families from all backgrounds. New housing will be added in ways that reflect the character of each neighborhood and help prevent displacement.
  • Improved Infrastructure: By 2045, the Southwest Area will have streets, sidewalks, trails and landscaping that make it easier, safer, and more comfortable for people to get around.
  • Natural Resources: By 2045, the Southwest Area will protect its natural resources-like water and open spaces-and make sure residents can enjoy and access them.

Visit https://www.DenverGov.org/southwestplan for more on the plan and the planning process.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY: Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) is responsible for visionary city planning and ensuring safe, responsible, sustainable building. We're working hard to make Denver a great place to live, work and play! Visit DenverGov.org/CPD.

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City and County of Denver, CO published this content on March 02, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 02, 2026 at 20:10 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]