East Colfax BRT Construction Approaches Aurora, Businesses Brace for Disruption

City leaders look to Denver's lessons on minimizing business impact during transit project

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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As construction on the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project moves closer to Aurora, business owners and residents along the corridor say they are preparing for short-term disruptions but hoping for long-term revival. The project promises faster, more reliable transit, but lessons from the Denver side of the project are shaping how Aurora plans to handle construction to minimize impacts on local businesses.

Why it matters

The East Colfax corridor in Aurora has already endured years of economic decline, with several big-box stores closing in recent years. Business owners and city leaders hope the BRT project, if executed properly, can help reverse this trend and revitalize the historic corridor through improved transit access and connectivity.

The details

The East Colfax BRT project will bring enhanced bus shelters with amenities like ticket machines and security cameras to Aurora. Unlike the Denver side, construction in Aurora will be more targeted, focusing on specific areas like Havana Street and near the R Line station, rather than long stretches of lane closures. City officials and RTD representatives say they are being more intentional about minimizing business disruptions, committing full resources to an area, completing the work, and then moving on.

  • Construction in Aurora is scheduled to begin this spring, starting just east of Yosemite Street.
  • The East Colfax BRT project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The players

Dr. PJ Parmar

Owner of Mango House on East Colfax, who says many residents rely on RTD's 15 bus and that transit has always shaped the neighborhood.

Jonathan Stewart

The project director for the East Colfax BRT, who says lessons learned during the Denver phase of construction are shaping how the project is being handled in Aurora.

Mike Coffman

The Mayor of Aurora, who explains that unlike Denver, Aurora does not have the advantage of one-way streets parallel to East Colfax, and he would not be in favor of a dedicated BRT lane in the middle of the street.

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What they’re saying

“We need to get back to our heyday here when there was a tram. Transit has always shaped this neighborhood.”

— Dr. PJ Parmar, Owner, Mango House (CBS News Colorado)

“People depend on public transportation to get to work. They need to be able to count on it, and they need it to be fast. Denver's transit system is anything but rapid compared to much of the world.”

— Dr. PJ Parmar, Owner, Mango House (CBS News Colorado)

“It's going to look different than Denver. Instead of long stretches of lane closures, construction in Aurora will be more targeted. We'll focus on specific areas like Havana Street and near I-225, complete the work, and then move on.”

— Jonathan Stewart, Project Director, East Colfax BRT (CBS News Colorado)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.