Dramatic rise in number of pedestrians being killed on Denver’s streets

DENVER (KDVR) — Concern is growing after a sharp increase in the number of pedestrians being killed on the streets of Denver.

Crossing some of Denver’s streets, some pedestrians say, can be extremely risky. It’s the reason they are not surprised more people are dying trying to get from one place to another.

That’s especially true for Deserray Ruiz, who lives in the West Colfax neighborhood and uses an electric wheelchair.

“It’s hard because I’m in this (wheelchair). There are bumps and cracks (in the road),” Ruiz said.

Twenty-five pedestrians have been killed in crashes so far this year in Denver. The city’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says that’s a 50% increase over the same time last year.  

Public safety officials are making a plea to drivers and pedestrians to be more careful.

“The questions we always ask when we see this is, ‘Why is it happening? What can we do about it? How do we address it?’” CDOT Executive Director Amy Ford.

CDOT said changes made along stretches of Federal Boulevard have helped reduce crashes there. Improvements have also been made at Federal and Howard, which is a pedestrian hotspot.  

But Alejandra Castaneda says more must be done to protect pedestrians. Castaneda says she often walks along Federal and also advocates for a group called Pedestrian Dignity.

“Car drivers are speeding. They are going beyond the speed limit. The posted speed limit is because the design of the road allows them to speed,” Castaneda said.

CDOT said Thursday that 85% of the traffic deaths on Denver streets and roadways are caused by speed. To help make it safer for pedestrians along West Colfax, major improvements are underway.  

They include a type of pedestrian island with protective railing in the middle of the avenue. The improvements are welcome, says Monic Lara.

“Sometimes you have to run to get over the streets,” Lara said.

FOX31 is told more improvements are in the works for a number of roadways. For now, though, drivers are being asked to slow down and help reduce the number of pedestrians being killed on Denver streets.

The new information released came at the start of National Pedestrian Safety Month.