Federal lawmakers secure $350 million to complete South Platte River Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday that it will invest $350 million to restore a 6.5 mile stretch of the South Platte River running through Denver.

The funding comes in the wake of a request U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) sent to the Army Corps of Engineers in November urging that it use some of the additional funding it received as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that Congress approved last year to fund the project. The $350 million the Corps announced it will invest in the project will allow it to be completed in its entirety.

"This is a really big deal for our community," DeGette said. "The South Platte River is a vital part of Denver's ecosystem. By restoring the river, we will not only be improving the health of this critical waterway and the enviroment that surrounds it, we'll also be creating new greenspaces for residents and vistors to enjoy and protecting hundreds of nearby homes from the threat of future flooding."

The South Platte River project is a key part of a broader plan put forth by city of Denver and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permanently protect several Denver waterways. The project will restore more than 450 acres of riparian, wetland and aquatic habitats along the waterway, beginning at 3rd Avenue and extending North into Adams County – creating new greenspaces for residents and visitors to enjoy and further protecting nearby homes and businesses from the threat of future flooding.

Once complete, the project will reduce the risk of flooding for more than 350 homes located in predominantly low-income, minority communities along the river, eliminating future flood-insurance-rate increases that could force many current residents out of their homes.

According to city officials, the river project is expected to create more than 7,000 jobs in the Denver area. And, by increasing the amount of greenspace around the river, it will also play a significant role in combatting the climate crisis.

A copy of the White House's announcement about the funding is available here.
A copy of the letter DeGette led to the Army Corps is available here.