Denver has experienced transformative infrastructure and real estate investment over the past few decades, and Burnham Yard is the latest site near downtown slated for significant investment. The State of Colorado purchased 58 acres of the former railyard in 2021 to explore possible transportation infrastructure projects and eventually enable private development on the site.

CDR supported the Burnham Yard Transportation Planning Study in 2022 and 2023, engaging a variety of partners and community representatives to determine preferred locations for railroad tracks on the property. Our team conducted interviews with state agency representatives, local community members, nearby property owners, Denver’s transit agency (RTD), and Denver municipal staff to understand these partners’ hopes for the site. We incorporated this input into project decision making to achieve three main objectives: (1) navigate longstanding Class 1 railroad agreements and operations, (2) balance diverse community interests—such as housing, access, economic development, and mobility—and (3) identify rail alignments that maximize the amount of usable land. To accomplish this, CDR and other project team partners created an “alignment builder” tool to consider unique constraints and opportunities in various portions of the property. CDR facilitated workshops and information sessions to foster collaboration among project partners and community representatives, ultimately leading to the recommendation of a composite alignment that would integrate the best features from various alternative layouts.

In 2025, CDR began to support the next phase of planning for the site—the Burnham Yard Small Area Plan—through Denver’s Department of Community Planning and Development (CPD). Following the Denver Broncos’ decision to locate a future football stadium on the property, the City launched a community-driven planning process involving members of the adjacent Lincoln Park and Baker neighborhoods. CDR is facilitating a series of Community Advisory Committee meetings with residents, business owners, and community based-organization (CBO) leaders to identify key elements of the community’s vision for their neighborhoods, including the Burnham Yard site. This framework will inform Denver City Council’s assessment of the Large Development Review process that specifies more detailed plans for stadium development.