Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning: Jill Locantore

Jill Locantore, Executive Director of the Denver Streets Partnership (DSP), joined co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall at the 2025 National Planning Conference in Denver to discuss how Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can be a key tool for achieving Denver’s Vision Zero goals. This Critical Conversation in Transportation Planning dives deep into the political, cultural, and social challenges inherent to transforming corridors from car-centric to bike and pedestrian-friendly. From traffic calming and street design to Denver’s bold efforts to prioritize buses and pedestrian safety, Jill unpacks how a truly safe city starts with valuing people over cars. Under Jill’s leadership, DSP has helped to advocate for and implement policies that promote a transit-centered approach to improving traffic safety. The organization has been instrumental in convening multiple community stakeholders with a common goal of transforming Colfax Avenue, the “longest, wickedest street in America,” into a major arterial that supports the city’s ambitious Vision Zero goals of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. Relevant Links Denver Streets Partnership Guiding Principles for Colfax BRT A Vision for Transit in the Denver Region A new vision for Speer Boulevard: Cut down the cars in favor of pedestrians, parks and buses Episode URL: https://www.planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-jill-locantore/