The controversial walkway was first unveiled in May when Governor Polis and state officials presented detailed renderings of the striking design that would have stretched across the lawn and crossed the busy street in front of the Colorado State Capitol building. The 11,000-square-foot elevated structure was intended to improve pedestrian accessibility between the Colorado State Capitol and Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, which are currently separated by a four-lane road.
Studio Gang's innovative design drew inspiration from Colorado's natural landscape, incorporating elements that reflected the state's rivers and distinctive geological formations, while also paying homage to the park's historic crescent-shaped pathways. The walkway was conceived as a central component of the broader "Civic Center Next 100" vision that the city of Denver shared in 2022, with Studio Gang being selected to lead Phase 1 of this comprehensive master plan in 2023.
The timing of the project was particularly significant, as its construction was planned to coincide with Colorado's 150th anniversary of statehood and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Denver's Civic Center has served as a cultural epicenter for over a century, regularly hosting community festivals and serving as a prominent stage for public protests and gatherings.
When the project was first announced, Studio Gang founder Jeanne Gang expressed enthusiasm about the design's potential impact. "We designed the walkway to make this part of Civic Center more welcoming to pedestrians and to celebrate Colorado's rich history and exciting next 150 years," Gang stated during the May presentation of the visual concepts.
However, the project quickly encountered significant financial and public relations challenges. Governor Polis's office initially estimated the design and construction costs at between $18-20 million, with plans to fund half through public money and the remainder through private fundraising efforts. As opposition mounted, the projected costs escalated dramatically to $28.5 million, further intensifying public criticism.
The resistance came from multiple quarters, including preservation advocates and ordinary citizens. John Deffenbaugh, president and CEO of Historic Denver, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation, became one of the project's most vocal critics. He denounced the bridge as "completely unnecessary" and criticized the design for failing to conform with the established architecture of the Civic Center Historic District.
Public sentiment became increasingly clear through social media responses. When the governor's office shared images of the proposed bridge on Instagram, numerous users characterized the project as a waste of taxpayer money, with criticism mounting rapidly across various platforms.
Responding to the growing backlash, the governor's office took the unusual step of conducting a comprehensive public survey, asking residents whether the state should proceed with the proposed bridge and soliciting alternative suggestions for commemorating the upcoming anniversaries. The response was overwhelming, with more than 80,000 people participating in the survey.
The results were decisive and unambiguous. Nearly 94 percent of respondents expressed opposition to moving forward with the bridge proposal. When asked about alternatives, 33,112 survey participants supported small-scale projects that would recognize the state's history, while an even larger number—48,082 respondents—indicated they preferred no anniversary project at all.
Faced with such clear public opposition, Governor Polis announced his decision to abandon the project entirely. In a statement that reflected both the strength of public sentiment and his commitment to responsive governance, Polis declared, "Coloradans were clear, and I will stop the pedestrian walkway proposal in its tracks. If needed, I will chain myself to the Capitol plaza to prevent it from being built and will personally intervene to ensure we listen to Coloradans' feedback."
The governor's dramatic pledge to physically prevent construction if necessary underscored the intensity of the public opposition and his administration's commitment to heeding constituent concerns.
Studio Gang has declined to provide comments regarding the decision to abandon the pedestrian walkway project or to clarify their continued involvement in other aspects of the Civic Center redevelopment initiative. The firm's silence leaves questions about whether they will remain involved in other components of the broader "Civic Center Next 100" master plan.
The cancellation of the project represents a significant shift in Colorado's anniversary commemoration plans and highlights the ongoing tension between ambitious architectural visions and public acceptance of major civic projects. The episode demonstrates how community input can dramatically alter even well-developed municipal plans, particularly when costs escalate and public support erodes.
As one observer noted, "Coloradans have made our voices heard that the proposed pedestrian walkway is not how we want to celebrate our 150th anniversary. It's now up to Governor Polis's office and the 250/150 commission to go back to the drawing board for ideas on how to honor and celebrate Colorado and America's upcoming anniversaries."
The failure of this high-profile project leaves Colorado officials searching for alternative ways to mark these significant milestones, while also serving as a reminder that public infrastructure projects require not just innovative design and adequate funding, but also genuine community support to succeed.
