The city has officially authorized the seizure of private land to make room for the Smith & Sandown over Quebec Bridge Project. This legal move grants Denver the power to acquire property through negotiated deals or, if owners refuse, through condemnation.
Passed on June 16, 2026, the ordinance targets the specific intersection where Smith Road and Sandown Road cross over North Quebec Street. It covers not just the land itself, but also any existing buildings, fences, or underground utilities that sit in the path of the new infrastructure.
Under this new rule, the city can take "fee title"—full ownership—or just easements, which are rights to use a portion of the land for a specific purpose. This includes access rights needed to build the bridge and maintain it later. If a property owner declines a voluntary sale, the city can now force the transfer, provided it pays what a court deems fair market value.
This approval marks a critical escalation in the project's timeline, moving it from planning to active acquisition. While the exact number of affected parcels isn't listed in the initial filing, the legal mechanism is now in place to clear the way for construction. Residents with property near the Smith and Sandown intersection should verify if their land falls within the designated corridor.
Residents can attend public meetings regarding this matter at Denver City Hall. For more details on the legislation, visit the Denver Legistar portal.