New rideshare pickup, dropoff spots near Coors Field: What to know

DENVER (KDVR) — If you are taking a Lyft or Uber to Denver’s Lower Downtown or Ballpark District, pay extra attention to where you are meeting your driver — police are adding designated rideshare pickup locations.

Beginning Friday, the Denver Police Department, in partnership with rideshare companies, will have specific spots where a driver must pick up passengers during peak hours.

How the designated rideshare spots will work

According to Denver police, those meeting a rideshare driver on Friday and Saturday evenings will be directed to one of the designated pickup zones through their rideshare app.

“We think that if we can disperse the folks coming down to enjoy the nightlife that will create a much safer environment,” DPD District 6 Commander Kimberly Bowser said.

Between the hours of 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on the weekends, rideshare drivers will not be allowed to pick up or drop off riders between 18th and 21st Street of Blake and Larimer Street. Instead, Denver police said officers will be at a variety of pickup spots so they can ensure a smooth flow of traffic and add security to those waiting for a ride.

“The whole goal is public safety,” Bowser said. “We want to reduce the congestion of pedestrians, we want to reduce the traffic congestion, we want to mitigate improper off loading into active streets, things like that.”

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Signs will be posted at each of the designated spots, and police said the street meters in those areas will be closed off. Bowser said these will be 1-2 blocks away from the exclusion zone.

The streets that are part of the entertainment area will still be open to through traffic, including rideshares, but stopping will not be permitted for pickups or dropoffs.

The program will run through at least the end of October, at which point Bowser said it will be evaluated using public safety data, input from the rideshare companies and general community reception.

Other plans to improve safety during weekend peak hours

The rideshare pickup spots are part of the Denver Police Department’s and Mayor Mike Johnston’s goal of reducing gun violence by 20%. According to a release from police, they created a comprehensive plan to curb violence and increase safety in areas with a busy nightlife.

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The other goals of the safety enrichment plan include:

• Reducing traffic congestion during peak weekend bar hours to ensure pedestrian safety

• Disperse crowds more efficiently when bars close for the night to help reduce situations that may turn into fights

• Reduce impaired driving and DUI-related crashes

Aside from encouraging the use of rideshare drivers, Denver police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving also encourage the use of transit through the Regional Transportation District. RTD said it offers an all-day travel pass for $5.50, which can be purchased online.

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