East Colfax BRT construction hosts final arch party near Havana Street

Construction crews finished installing the final steel arches for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project this month, marking the end of a 17-month series of community celebrations. The last of these events took place inside Sarahi’s Kitchen at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Uinta Street in Denver, where neighbors and project leaders gathered to watch a 14-ton arch lift into position outside.

The East Colfax BRT project involves the construction of 32 new steel arches stretching from Franklin Street in Denver to Havana Street in Aurora. These structures will support the future bus rapid transit system. The installation process prompted the creation of a series of evening parties designed to acknowledge the impact of the work on the more than 650 small businesses located along the corridor.

Ryan Louis, who leads small business outreach for the BRT communications team, stated that the parties began as a chance encounter. In May 2025, a group of BRT staff were socializing at the Tight End Bar on Franklin Street. Louis brought information sheets to the group, expecting interest in the transit project. Instead, the group expressed curiosity about the arch being erected outside. This reaction led to the first party, which launched a series of 17 events held on Monday evenings.

The organizers scheduled the parties for Mondays because it is historically a slow day for foot traffic on Colfax Avenue. Each event was themed to reflect the character of the specific neighborhood where the arch was being installed. Activities included an Ethiopian coffee ceremony at Fiction Brewing, Halloween costume contests, conga lines, face painting, live DJ sets, and beer crawls. The goal was to drive customers to local shops and restaurants during the construction period.

The series included events in both Denver and Aurora. One party held at the La Vista Motel in February attracted approximately 200 attendees. The only event held within Aurora city limits took place on Sept. 21 at Havana Street. Louis noted that the team was excited to see hundreds of people respond to the invitation to celebrate the infrastructure work.

Sarahi Martinez, the owner and chef of Sarahi’s Kitchen, hosted the final party. She said the construction caused her to close the restaurant for a period. She announced that the business will reopen on Nov. 1. Martinez has operated in the area for two years. She credited community support for keeping her motivated to continue through the disruptions. She stated, “It’s time for each individual to make this area different.”

Monique Helstrom, president of the East Colfax Neighborhood Association, addressed the crowd inside the restaurant. She asked residents to visit local businesses on Colfax Avenue while the construction continues. Helstrom said, “You know it’s going to be hard, but we need you in order to do it.”

Brian McLaren, the BRT project manager, thanked the neighborhood for its patience. He acknowledged that the work has been disruptive. McLaren said, “I’m looking forward to giving your street back to you.” He added that the team worked hard to minimize the impact but recognized the inconvenience to residents and business owners.

Louis said the team will continue to look for ways to celebrate future project milestones. He noted that while future events may not be as large as the arch lifts, they will still be engaging. He encouraged people to sign up for the Colfax Pass, a program that provides incentives for visiting local businesses.

The East Colfax BRT project is led by the City and County of Denver, with RTD and the City of Aurora as partners. Construction began in October 2024. The first phase, from Colorado Boulevard to Broadway, opened in late September. RTD lines 15 and 15L are currently using the new bus-only lanes. More sections of the corridor are scheduled to open before the project is completed in January 2028.