Denver Police and Partners Announce Safety Enhancement Plan for LoDo and Ballpark District

Thursday, July 11, the Denver Police Department (DPD), in alignment with Mayor Mike Johnston’s goal to reduce violent gun crime by 20%, announces a comprehensive plan to curb violence and increase overall safety in Denver’s vibrant LoDo and Ballpark District areas. The plan’s goals are to:

• Reduce the amount of vehicular traffic congestion during peak bar hours to improve pedestrian safety 
• Disperse crowds more effectively during bar out-crowd hours to reduce conflicts that can escalate to violence (bump-into fights, etc.)
• Provide improved and streamlined access for rideshare ingress and egress of the LoDo and Ballpark District areas during peak bar hours
• Reduce impaired driving and DUI-related crashes during peak bar hours

To reduce heavy vehicular traffic and improve pedestrian safety in the LoDo and Ballpark District areas, the Denver Police Department, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Regional Transportation District (RTD) encourage attendees to utilize mass transit and ride shares. Traveling by rideshare and/or RTD serves many purposes, which include, reducing the number of potential impaired drivers and preventable crashes, while also allowing more space for pedestrians to safely walk around and leave the LoDo and Ballpark District areas during peak bar hours. RTD offers a day-pass which allows customers to travel all day for $5.50 ($2.70 discounted for eligible customers). Information can be found on the RTD website under Fares and Passes. Customers are also encouraged to download the Transit Watch app to report any safety or security concerns to RTD Transit Police.

Additionally, DPD, in partnership with Uber and Lyft, announce the creation of designated rideshare pickup locations in Denver’s LoDo and Ballpark Districtareas. Starting Friday, July 12, 2024, those utilizing the rideshare services will need to pay extra attention when meeting their rideshare on Friday and Saturday evenings and will be directed to the designated pickup zones through the Uber and Lyft mobile apps after requesting transportation.

Between the boundaries of 18th and 21st streets and Blake and Larimer streets, Uber and Lyft drivers will not be allowed to pick up or drop off riders from 10 p.m. to 3a.m. Instead, there will be a variety of designated pickup locations, where Denver Police officers will be stationed to ensure smooth traffic flow, a visible police presence, and to provide added security for those awaiting rides.

Rideshare pick up zone signs will be placed at each designated pickup location, and typical street parking at meters in the pickup zones will be prohibited to create additional space for rideshare drivers to pull to the side of the street to safely pick up riders.