This wasn't the connection originally intended, of course. As designed by Studio Gang, the Chicago design team that's also working on the proposed revamp of Civic Center Park, the bridge celebrating Colorado's 150th birthday would lead from the west side of the Capitol down to the far side of Lincoln Veterans Park, snaking like one of the state's rivers, creating a gentle grade so that the disabled could access the Capitol, serving as a place where schoolchildren could eat their lunch, displaying work that tells the story of this state and keeps a few artists employed for a week, and offering a way for just about everyone to avoid the homeless individuals who tend to hang out along the park wall parallel to Broadway.
The plan had been in the works for months before Governor Jared Polis unveiled it at the end of May at the Mizel Institute Awards, an event full of the kind of high-rollers who would be needed to help fund a project that was estimated to cost anywhere from $19 million (the state's estimate) to $29 million (9News), with the state committed to putting up about $8.5 million of that...when Colorado is facing a half-billion budget shortfall.
The response was immediate. Historic Denver launched a petition to stop the project, citing the damage it would do to a truly historic complex — Civic Center Park, Mayor Robert Speer's century-old homage to the City Beautiful movement — that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Kyle Clark mocked it on Next. Disabled advocates complained that it would not improve access to the state government; artists complained about the application process. While no schoolchildren have yet weighed in, adults called it "stupid" while testifying before legislators. And in bars across town (particularly those I was in), discussions became very, very heated.
Now, in an attempt to bridge divisions, Polis is launching a quick campaign to survey Coloradans regarding how they really feel about the walkway and what they think would be an appropriate way to celebrate the state's 150th birthday, which happens to coincide with the country's 250th anniversary.
"It's like a kid whose birthday is Christmas," notes Polis. "We're just trying to get a broader sense of what people want."
The survey, slated to go live at 4:30 p.m. today at co150walkway.com, will only take a few minutes, the governor promises, with just a few questions. It will basically ask whether you want the walkway, would rather see some other commemorative project in the state's capital, or would support smaller projects in other parts of the state. Or do you want to avoid Colorado's birthday altogether?
You'll have until the end of Monday, July 21, to answer; the governor is hoping to have consensus well before August 1, which will be exactly a year from Colorado's 150th anniversary of becoming the Centennial State, the 38th state admitted to the Union.
Was the governor surprised by the vehemence of comments regarding the walkway so far? "I'm glad to see the interest," he responds. "I take it as wow, Coloradans are really interested. Where do we want to go with it?"
But now Polis needs to get the answer fast, because if Coloradans want that walkway — and if you believe they do, I've got a bridge to sell you — there's not a moment to waste.
Building a winding walkway of a boondoggle bridge isn't fast.
And neither is reconnecting with disgruntled constituents.
Here are the survey questions, and multiple choice answers:
Should Colorado proceed with the proposed 150th Anniversary walkway at the State Capitol complex in Denver?Take the survey here.
Yes
No
Maybe
If Colorado does not proceed with the 150th-anniversary walkway, would you like to see:
A major 150th Anniversary project in our state’s capital city of Denver
Several smaller-scale anniversary projects in other parts of the state that reflect our rich history and diverse cultural history
No anniversary projects at all
If Colorado does proceed with the 150th anniversary walkway, would you like to see:
The full 150th Anniversary walkway built as planned
The 150th anniversary walkway scaled back to a smaller project
2026 is just around the corner! Are you more excited about:
Colorado’s 150th anniversary
The United States' 250th anniversary
Both Equally
