RTD Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project – Colfax Alignment Impacts

RTD has announced impacts due to the upcoming Downtown Rail Reconstruction project that will be done on Colfax Avenue and around the Colfax at Auraria Station.

Work to replace the light rail track along Colfax Avenue is scheduled to begin Sunday, June 7, and continue into Q1 2027. Work to replace the high block at the Colfax at Auraria station near 10th Street is scheduled to begin in Q4 2026 and continue through Q1 2027.

What to Expect

UPDATED Sept. 15

Planned Construction Activities: 

• Rail reconstruction along Colfax Avenue between Seventh and 10th streets
• Drainage work along Colfax Avenue between Ninth and Kalamath streets

Impacts Around Campus:

• Lasting through late September, there is a right-lane and right turn-lane closure on northbound Seventh Street just north of Colfax Avenue. Vehicles can still turn right onto Seventh Street from the single open lane during this closure.
• Work on the Cherry Creek bridge will resume in late September, lasting through early to mid-October. During this work, you can expect various lane closures on northbound and southbound Speer Boulevard and on Stout/Kalamath Street crossing Cherry Creek. At least two travel lanes will remain open on Speer Boulevard in both directions at all times. More details will be provided before this work resumes.
• As of June 6, lasting through late September, there is a single-lane closure on westbound Colfax Avenue between Kalamath and Seventh streets for ongoing rail reconstruction
• As of July 6, lasting through late September, the sidewalk along westbound Colfax Avenue, between Seventh and 10th streets, is closed. Between Ninth Street and the 10th Street plaza, this closure shifts north of the light rail tracks. This restriction is necessary to ensure the safety of workers and pedestrians.
  • Pedestrian access onto the Auraria campus will be maintained via crosswalks at Seventh, Ninth, and 10th streets

Service Impacts

• Service disruption on RTD’s D, H, and L Lines, and temporary closure of the Colfax at Auraria station. Full details on RTD’s June service changes can be found HERE.
• The other RTD stations near campus, the Auraria West Station, Ball Arena, and Mile High Stations, will remain operational during the work.
• Bus Route 16 and Route ART will provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station and Theatre District Convention Center Station. Frequencies have been expanded to every 30 minutes for the ART route. Bus stops near the project will remain open and operational during the reconstruction work.
• The Campus Accessibility Shuttle (CAS) cannot operate to the following stops due to not being able to navigate back into campus utilizing approved routes:
  • Science
  • Cherry Creek
  • Library/Media
  • Central Classroom
  • Early Learning Center

Schedule and Work Hours

• Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• All construction activities are schedule- and weather-dependent and subject to change

If you have a question about the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, please contact RTD at the email or phone number below:

Project email: RailProject@RTD-Denver.com
Project Information Line: 720-902-8817

A project overview is available at rtd-denver.com/railproject, and RTD will continue to regularly post status updates and information on that page.