big denver obligation bond process ready for next phase

The first issuance coming out of the giant $937 million general obligation bonds passed by Denver voters last November could be announced sometime this summer.

The 2017 GO Bond, as it appeared on the local ballot, was actually seven individual ballot questions funding up to 460 large and small projects.

Those ballot questions, approved by an average of 66 to 73 percent of the vote, called for $431 million for transportation and mobility projects; $151 million for parks and recreation centers; $116 million for cultural facilities; $77 million for public safety projects; $75 million for the construction of a new Denver Health and Hospital Authority clinic; $69 million for library upgrades and renovations; and $16 million for various public facility work.

In December, the City of Denver announced it was hiring Atkins North America, Inc. as the program management for the giant bond program. Atkins, with offices worldwide and in Denver, is a design, engineering, and project management consulting firm.

The next step in the process is for the contract requests and budget appropriations related to the GO Bonds to go before the Denver City Council for review.

Atkins and El Paso city officials will then be tasked with coordinating the issuances, while also working with the various city agencies that will be involved in the many projects.

By Garry Boulard

---