High Line Canal Trail Improvements
High Line Canal Trail Improvements
Learn about all High Line Canal projects
Visit our Trail Notices + Detours page to learn about projects which may impact your Canal travel.
The High Line Canal Conservancy is working closely with Denver Water and the 11 jurisdictions along the path to improve the trail as a place for people and protect the natural habitat for vegetation and wildlife. Projects along the trail include enhancements such as new navigational signage, Canal-wide initiatives such as tree care, as well as more significant infrastructure projects such as roadway underpasses and stormwater projects. Please see below for updates and the current status of all the major projects along the 71-mile greenway.
HIGH LINE CANAL PROJECT UPDATES MAP
The map highlights current High Line Canal projects taking place along the 71-mile trail.
Trail Project List
(click project title for more information)
Implementation
Mile 20: Lee Gulch Lookout
Project Name: Mile 20: Lee Gulch Lookout
Project Type: Amenity Area
Project Status: Site improvements complete, furnishings to be installed this Fall.
SSPRD and the Conservancy partnered on the design of amenities and safety improvements at the juncture of the High Line Canal trail and Lee Gulch trail in Littleton. These amenities will create a pause place near the historic Lee Gulch flume, one of three wooden flumes remaining on the Canal, adding seating and interpretation along with select natural play elements. These improvements build on a tree planting project in 2021 that added 50 new trees to this segment of the Canal. Site improvements have been completed and work will be completed this Fall with the installation of signage and natural play elements along with the planting of new trees.
Project Location: Littleton at the juncture of the High Line Canal Trail and Lee Gulch Trail.
Project Cost: The project is jointly funded by SSPRD, the Conservancy and Arapahoe County Open Spaces.
Miles 12-14: Santa Fe Drive/U.S. 85 Stormwater Project
Project Name: Miles 12-14: Santa Fe Drive/U.S. 85 Stormwater Project
Project Type: Stormwater Project
Project Status: Agreement was implemented in the fall of 2021
Douglas County signed a license agreement with Denver Water to formalize stormwater discharging from Santa Fe Drive into the Canal at Spring Gulch. As part of Douglas County and the Colorado Department of Transportation’s highway improvement project planned for Santa Fe Drive, an opportunity arose for the County to execute an agreement with Denver Water that formalizes the use of the Canal to convey existing stormwater from U.S. Highway 85. Stormwater runoff from the proposed highway improvement project will be pretreated before being discharged through an existing 72-inch storm sewer pipe that flows into the Canal. Douglas County will take responsibility for maintaining and managing this portion of Canal to ensure safe passage of stormwater.
Project Location: 1.5 miles of the Canal from Spring Gulch to Marcy Gulch
Project Cost: Douglas County will be responsible to fund maintenance of this reach of the Canal
Mile 13: Sante Fe/Highway 85 Underpass
Project Name: Mile 13: Sante Fe/Highway 85 Underpass
Project Type: Underpass
Project Status: Construction is underway, anticipated to be open to the public no later than September 2025.
As part of the Santa Fe/Highway 85 improvements between C-470 and Highlands Ranch Parkway, a High Line Canal pedestrian/bicycle underpass is being installed by Douglas County. This grade- separated crossing is estimated to cost $5 million to construct and could be open to the public as early as second quarter of 2025 but no later than September 2025.
Project Location: S. Santa Fe Drive and the High Line Canal
Project Cost: Estimated to cost $5 million (70% Douglas County and 30% Federal Funds via DRCOG TIP)
Mile 7: Solstice Stormwater Project and Linear Park
Project Name: Mile 7: Solstice Stormwater Project and Linear Park
Project Type: Stormwater Project
Project Status: Construction of the linear park is still in progress but the High Line Canal trail is open to the public
Solstice is a new residential development in Douglas County just south of Chatfield State Park. The Canal runs through the development and the developer has pulled back the banks of the Canal to convey stormwater. The developer is featuring the Canal at the center of the development, incorporating the Canal corridor into the 37-acre Solstice Park that will expand the size of the open space on either side of the Canal. The developer has planted trees to reestablish vegetation in the area, leveraging the additional stormwater that will make its way to the Canal. Construction of the stormwater infrastructure has been completed and while construction of the linear park is still in progress, the High Line Canal trail is open to the public. Visit our blog for more information.
Image credit: Solstice
Trail Notice: While the trail is open to the public, construction continues in the area as the developer plants trees and builds out the linear park.
Project Location: Douglas County, Mirabelle Metro District; High Line Canal west of Roxborough Park Road
Project Cost: The project is funded by the developer and the Canal will be cared for in this reach by the newly formed Mirabelle Metro District
Miles 2-71: Signage and Wayfinding
Project Name: Miles 2-71: Signage and Wayfinding
Project Type: Signage
Project Status: Installation of wayfinding kiosks, rules signs and trailhead monuments completed. Fabrication underway on signs for street crossings.
In 2020, Aurora was the first jurisdiction to install portions of the newly designed High Line Canal sign package. In 2021, an additional 20 signs were installed as implementation of the sign package continued. In 2022, over 150 wayfinding signs will be installed across the Canal to build awareness, improve access and connect users to new parts of the trail. These new signs will include crossing signs that identify street crossings, wayfinding signs to help connect to destinations along the trail and kiosks with maps to help orient users and inform them about rules of the trail.
Project Location: Canal-wide
Project Cost: Each jurisdiction along the Canal is funding part of their sign package, with Arapahoe County Open Spaces and the High Line Canal Conservancy providing matching funds. The total project cost for this phase of signage is $506,332.
Planning
Holly Hills Trail Surface Enhancements
Project Name: Holly Hills Trail Surface Enhancements
Project Type: Trail Enhancements
Arapahoe County Open Spaces and the High Line Canal Conservancy are working in partnership to design an enhanced trail surface for the Canal in the Holly Hills neighborhood between I-25 and Holly Street. The project will upgrade the existing 8’ asphalt trail to a 12’ concrete trail with an adjacent 6’ crusher fines trail and meet ADA standards. Designs will be completed by the end of 2025.
Project Location: I-25 to Holly St.
Project Cost: Design and engineering is funded by Arapahoe County Open Spaces.
Four Square Mile Trail Surface Enhancements
Project Name: Four Square Mile Trail Surface Enhancements
Project Type: Trail Enhancements
Denver Parks & Recreation, Arapahoe County Open Spaces and the High Line Canal Conservancy are working in partnership to design an enhanced trail surface for the Canal in the Four Square Mile neighborhood between Quebec St and Parker Rd. The project will upgrade the existing 8’ asphalt trail to a 12’ concrete trail with an adjacent 6’ crusher fines trail and meet ADA standards. Designs will be completed by the end of 2025.
Project Location: Quebec St. to Parker Rd.
Project Cost: Design and engineering is funded jointly by Arapahoe County Open Spaces and the High Line Canal Conservancy.
Miles 57-59: Laredo Highline Canal Improvement Zone Design
Project Name: Miles 57-59: Laredo Highline Canal Improvement Zone Design
Project Type: Trail Enhancements
Project Status: Designs will be completed in early 2025
- The Conservancy is partnering closely with Laredo Highline neighbors to design access, activation and amenity improvements. The current designs include an overlook at Granby Ditch, an outdoor classroom and two accessible access points to the Canal. These community-centered designs will be completed in early 2025.
Project Location: High Line Canal between E. 6th Ave and Colfax
Project Cost: The Conservancy has secured funding through the GOCO Centennial program and is currently pursuing additional funding for construction
Miles 48-50: Windsor Gardens Trail Surface Enhancements
Project Name: Miles 48-50: Windsor Gardens Trail Surface Enhancements
Project Type: Trail Enhancements
Denver Parks & Recreation and the High Line Canal Conservancy are working in partnership to improve the High Line Canal trail between Parker Rd. and Havana St. The project intends to upgrade the existing 8’ asphalt trail to a 10’ concrete trail with an adjacent 6’ crusher fines trail and meet ADA standards.
Project Location: Parker Rd. to Havana St.
Project Cost: Funding Partners: The Conservancy is funding the trail surface design to 60% design for the Windsor neighborhood. The City and County of Denver is also supporting funding.
Mile 39: Yale and Holly Underpass Design
Project Name: Mile 39: Yale and Holly Underpass Design
Project Type: Underpass
Project Status: Designs are currently at 90% and construction is anticipated to begin in 2025
The City and County of Denver, in partnership with Arapahoe County, is advancing design and engineering of an underpass at the challenging intersection of E. Yale Ave and S. Holly St at the border of Denver and Unincorporated Arapahoe County. Funding for this project was secured in Denver’s 2017 Elevate Denver Bond Program and in 2023 the City and County of Denver received federal funding to complete the project. Design and engineering is currently underway and construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
Project Location: High Line Canal west of the intersection of E. Yale Ave and S. Holly St
Project Cost: The $16.9 million project is funded by Denver’s 2017 General Obligation Bond, Arapahoe County Open Spaces and an $11.7 million federal grant
Mile 2: High Line Canal Origin Trailhead Design
Project Name: Mile 2: High Line Canal Origin Trailhead Design
Project Type: Trailhead Enhancement
Project Status: Designs will be completed in early 2024.
Douglas County and the Conservancy are partnering to design enhancements to The High Line Canal Origin Trailhead, located along Waterton Rd near the start of the Canal. Designs are currently at 60% and include improvements to the trailhead and connection to the Canal Trail as well as two overlooks with interpretive signage to share the story of the Canal’s origins. This trailhead is intended to be an interpretive hub, educating trail users about the Canal’s unique history and connection to water in the West. Designs will continue into early 2025 as the Conservancy requests funding from Douglas County for construction.
Project Location: Waterton Rd and the High Line Canal, where the Canal emerges from Waterton Canyon.
Project Cost: Design has been funded jointly by the Conservancy and Douglas County Parks, Trails and Building Grounds.
History of Completed Projects
See improvement projects that have been completed in previous years below. Get more details on these projects by visiting the Progress Reports on the Resources page of our website.
Speak Up for the Canal!
Share your input on Canal Improvement Projects! See the list of open opportunities to Speak Up for the Canal.
Hours + Rules
Hours: Open year round, 5 a.m. – 11 p.m., subject to modification by recreation agencies.
Uses: walking, nature viewing, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking.
For more information on rules and amenities in the specific jurisdictional reaches, please visit the following:
- Denver Water Recreation
- Douglas County Parks, Trails and Building Grounds Division
- Metro District of Highlands Ranch Parks and Open Space
- South Suburban Parks and Recreation
- Greenwood Village Parks, Trails and Recreation Department
- Cherry Hills Village Parks, Trails and Recreation Department
- Denver Parks and Recreation Department
- Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department
