WEEK OF JANUARY 23, 2025
VOLUME 104 | ISSUE 48
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18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden takes the helm Democratic DA has a new approach for district, which now covers only Arapahoe County BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A rendering of what the Oxford Pedestrian Bridge will look like once completed. Construction is expected to begin in late spring of this year. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE CITY OF ENGLEWOOD
Long-awaited bridge finally on track Construction over Oxford could begin by late spring BY ELISABETH SLAY ESLAY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The City of Englewood has confirmed construction is set to begin this May on the new pedestrian bridge which is part of the city’s 2015 Walk and Wheel Master Plan. The pedestrian bridge will go over Oxford Avenue and will be located just east of Santa Fe Drive. Victor Rachael, director of public works for the city, said construction bids for the project came within the available budget recently. “We expect to recommend that the council award a construction contract for the project in February,” Rachael said. “Construction is then expected to start sometime around May or so.” It is expected to be completed later this year or in early 2026. The bridge is “part of a larger initiative to improve urban mobility in Englewood,” Rachael said. “This bridge will not only provide a safer route for pedestrians, but also help alleviate traffic congestion and integrate into future transportation plans designed to make the city more accessible and sustainable,” Rachael said. Additionally, Rachael said the purpose of the bridge is to provide a safe and efficient way to access key transit points, as it is strategically placed to grant access to a quicker and safer path for those
“This bridge will not only provide a safer route for pedestrians, but also help alleviate traffic congestion and integrate into future transportation plans designed to make the city more accessible and sustainable.” Victor Rachael, Englewood director of public works making their way to the Oxford Light Rail Station. “By creating an elevated path for pedestrians, the bridge will help reduce congestion on Oxford Avenue, particularly during peak traffic hours when vehicles often trigger red lights that slow the flow of traffic,” Rachael said. The bridge is part of a larger project the city is working on, which includes the Rail Trail, a pedestrian and cyclistfriendly corridor that will run along the Santa Fe rail line. “The Rail Trail is designed to provide a fast, efficient route for non-motorized travel, allowing residents and commuters to navigate the city without relying on cars,” Rachael said. “This integration between the pedestrian bridge and the Rail Trail will offer an uninterrupted route for those looking to walk or bike around the city, fostering a healthier
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and more sustainable transportation culture.” Funding for the Oxford pedestrian bridge comes from a federal grant the city received, which covers 80% of the project costs. Rachael explained that the remaining 20% will be covered by the city and supplemented by funds from a development agreement in relation to the redevelopment of the old Sam’s Automotive site at Oxford Avenue and Navajo Street. Rachael added that the new bridge will encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transportation. “By making it easier for people to choose active transportation options, the city hopes to foster a healthier lifestyle for its residents while also boosting RTD ridership,” Rachael said. For more information, visit engaged. englewoodco.gov/oxford-ave.
After many years of being overseen by Republicans, the district attorney’s office in the 18th Judicial District now has a Democrat at its helm. Newly elected 18th Judicial District Attorney Amy Padden, a Democrat, won the November race for the seat against Republican former DA Carol Chambers. Padden started her new job on Jan. 14 and says she is lookPadden ing forward to representing Arapahoe County residents and promoting community safety. “We’re going to continue to prosecute crimes — that’s our job,” she said. “We’re going to continue to promote community safety, but I have different ways of going about that than most Republicans do.” Until now, the 18th Judicial District has encompassed Arapahoe County along with Republican-leaning Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. As the result of the Colorado General Assembly’s decision to split the district — creating the new 23rd Judicial District to include the other three counties — the 18th Judicial District now only covers Arapahoe County, which leans Democratic. “It’s been a long time since the DA that Arapahoe County voted for was actually the DA,” Padden said. For example, when Padden ran for the seat in 2020, she won Arapahoe County by 15 percentage points, according to county voting results. But, because of the voting results from the other three counties, Republican John Kellner won the race by less than half of a percentage point, according to data from the Secretary of State. “We’ve had Republican DAs that, frankly, haven’t represented Arapahoe County’s values,” Padden said. “I’m really looking forward to doing that.” Prosecution, rehabilitation and prevention
As the district attorney, Padden will be in charge of prosecuting criminal cases SEE PADDEN, P5
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