Colorado seeks feedback on Capitol walkway for 150th

DENVER — As Colorado prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026, state officials have unveiled a proposal for a pedestrian walkway that would link the State Capitol to Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park. The project aims to honor Colorado’s history, highlight its artistic talent and improve access between downtown Denver and Civic Center, according to Governor Polis.

The sesquicentennial celebration will coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Colorado, known as the Centennial State, is the only state marking both milestones in 2026.

The proposed walkway, conceived initially during Mayor Federico Peña’s administration, would connect two historic civic spaces and align with broader revitalization plans in the city, including the 5280 Trail, a four-mile urban loop that links neighborhoods from the Golden Triangle to Skyline Park and is inspired by Colorado’s natural landscape. Inspired by the state’s central mountain range, the landings at each end will feature elements that reflect Colorado’s geology. The structure aims to offer a dynamic sensory experience rooted in the rugged beauty of the region.

Public art will be integrated throughout the walkway. Up to 20 Colorado-based artists will be commissioned to create original works that reflect the state’s past, present and future. The walkway is estimated to cost $18 million, with up to $8.5 million coming from the state and the remainder through private, corporate, philanthropic and individual fundraising. About $1 million has already been pledged.

Additional park improvements are estimated to cost $10 million over the next several years. The project is envisioned as a public-private partnership that will leave a lasting legacy for generations of Coloradans.

A new public survey launched this week invites Coloradans to share their opinions on the proposed walkway near the State Capitol, as well as broader ideas for honoring the sesquicentennial. The deadline to complete the survey is July 21.

“This celebration is for every Coloradan, and I believe it is important that people have a say in how the state marks this occasion, or if we celebrate it at all,” Polis said in a statement.

The pedestrian walkway, first proposed in November following months of planning and public meetings, would connect Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park with the Capitol. It is designed to improve accessibility and safety while showcasing Colorado’s history through public art and storytelling, according to the governor’s office.

The survey asks whether the state should move forward with the walkway as planned, scale back the project, shift its focus to park improvements without a walkway or explore alternative ways to celebrate Colorado’s culture and history elsewhere in the state.

“This historic space is for everyone, and I think it’s important that Coloradans have the chance to share their voices on how it can be best used,” Polis said.

Survey results will help guide the state’s planning process ahead of the 2026 sesquicentennial observance.