Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

The Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) serves the City and County of Denver at the local government level. ^[1] Its primary legal mandate involves the delivery of sustainable public infrastructure, including transportation and utility services. ^[1] DOTI oversees the city's water and waste utilities, as well as the design and maintenance of the public right-of-way. ^[1] This department is the city's second-largest entity after public safety and manages approximately half of Denver's total land area. ^[1] The executive director reports directly to the Mayor of Denver. ^[2] The department manages a multi-million dollar annual budget, with the 2026 total coming out to approximately $426 million. ^[3] DOTI's mission focuses on increasing mobility and safety while reducing traffic-related deaths through its Vision Zero program. ^[4]

Historical Background

Voters created the department on November 5, 2019, by overwhelmingly passing Referred Question 2A with 73 percent support. ^[2] This charter amendment transformed the former Department of Public Works into a cabinet-level transportation department. ^[5] The change aimed to modernize mobility and reduce traffic congestion by elevating transportation to the same bureaucratic status as the airport. ^[5] Before this transition, transportation existed only as a division within the Public Works agency. ^[2] The reorganization expanded the department's staff from 125 employees to roughly 1,100 personnel. ^[2] Founding Director Eulois Cleckley oversaw the 2020 launch to align city operations with the Mayor's Mobility Action Plan. ^[5] Since its founding, the department has managed major infrastructure projects funded by the $937 million Elevate Denver bond program approved in 2017. ^[1]

Current Events

In March 2026, the Denver City Council delayed a proposed three-year contract with Veo to become the city's sole e-scooter operator. ^[6] Council members requested further documentation and scoring sheets before replacing current providers Lime and Bird. ^[6] The department is also implementing significant budget cuts for the 2026 fiscal year to help close a citywide $200 million deficit. ^[3] These cuts include the elimination of 102 vacant positions and 31 filled roles, potentially slowing 311 response times and right-of-way inspections. ^[3] Major construction projects scheduled for 2026 include citywide pedestrian crossing improvements and the completion of the East 8th Avenue signal replacement project. ^[7] Additionally, DOTI officials continue to coordinate with state leaders on a "Transit Reform" act to align city goals with regional greenhouse gas reduction targets. ^[8]