Est. 1875  ·

Est. 1875  ·

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Colorado’s $20M Bridge Slammed as Another Vanity Project Amid Out of Control Spending and Widespread Public Distrust

Ashe Epp
May 29, 2025
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The People hate the Bridge. That is the strong takeaway from the government’s latest publicity stunt to distract from all their corruption and failures in Colorado. 

Why the Vanity Project and Why Now?

It’s not the worst looking design in my opinion, but it’s drawing savage criticism – mostly centered on why this is an appropriate use of $20M. No one thinks it is. 

Also, no one really believes it will be only $20M. The Great Hall renovation at Denver International Airport had an original 2018 budget of $650 million and was projected to complete in November 2021. It is now estimated to cost $2.1 billion total, and the airport anticipates completing the renovation by the end of 2027. 

That’s a $1.45 billion increase, a 223% cost overrun. It’s also six years behind schedule. And there is no reason to believe that will be the end of the matter. 2027 is still a ways away. 

While a bridge isn’t an airport, the same administrations (City & County of Denver and State of Colorado) are the authority on both projects. 

Historic Considerations Top Concerns of Opposition 

Bridge Rendering, State of Colorado

John Deffenbaugh, President and CEO of Historic Denver, spoke to 9News and said “the bridge is ‘completely unnecessary’ and out of place in Denver's historic Civic Center area.”

Bridge Rendering, State of Colorado

"It's a national historic landmark," Deffenbaugh. "It's a historic district. There are several layers of policy documentation to protect the evolution of this site to ensure it evolves in keeping with its historic characteristics. This bridge really plows right through everything that makes this park great."

Bridge Rendering, State of Colorado

Of course, he is right. It’s a distracting vanity project, and it should be opposed. We can’t afford it, and its proponents are responsible for destroying our state; they shouldn’t be rewarded with such a gratuitously wasteful boondoggle.

It’s Already Underway

“According to the governor's Office, the bridge, which was designed by an out-of-state firm, is intended to resemble Colorado's flowing rivers… The state has already spent $1.5 million on design and concept costs,” 9News reported, confirming once again that this State Executive thinks about the people last. 

I mean, they didn’t even use a Colorado firm. If there were an entity that would investigate (history suggests there is not) then they should look for kickbacks to the out of state firm. Just a hunch. 

My favorite part of the design is all the new nooks and crannies for homeless and migrants and homeless migrants. And think back to 2020 when that entire space was occupied for months.

Do you think the bridge’s ability to house an open air occupation was part of the design considerations?


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Author

Ashe Epp

Ashe Epp is the Editor of the Colorado Free Press, a CDM contributor, and local writer and liberty advocate. Find all of Ashe's work at linktr.ee/asheinamerica.
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JOSEY WALES

HEY YA'LL DON'T FORGET TO USE THEM PROPER PRONOUNS OR YOU'LL END UP IN THE SLAMMER. WE LIVE IN SUCH A COLORFUL STATE DON'T WE. IT GOES FROM BROWN IN THE WINTER TO GREEN THEN BACK TO BROWN. SOME COLOR EH??

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