PSYAH Toolkit

• Reach out, raise awareness, and encourage participation with the local neighborhood groups, businesses, organizations and/or engaged residents to identify an opportunity in the community, and to develop a collaborative, community-driven project. 

• Contact the Council District Offices for ideas about organizations and sites suitable for proposals. Check out the map to find out which Council District your project could be in: https://www.denvergov.org/maps/map/councildistricts  

• Review the list of Registered Neighborhood Organizations 

• Consider community dynamics and local history in your area. 

When developing your budget, be sure to show projected income and expenses, and identify in which areas the grant funding would be utilized: 

Income 

• Grant request amount 

• Additional funding sources, if any (crowdfunding, sponsorships, in-kind donations, additional grant funds, etc.) 

• Volunteer hours (valued at $20/hour) 

Expenses 

• Project Management and Planning 

• Supplies  

• Art and Design services  

• Permits 

• Traffic Control 

Here are some additional considerations to be aware of when creating a proposal, some of which may require additional permitting, design, engineering, approvals, or other considerations.  Our P.S. You Are Here committee can help through these implementations and planning needs. 

• Proposals in Denver Parks and/or Recreation Centers will require a Temporary Construction Access Permit (TCAP) as well as additional reviews from DPR staff. 

• Street painting projects proposed for functional streets will require an additional review process through the Community Streets program. 

• Any proposal in public right-of-way (public streets, intersections, sidewalks, trails, alleys) will require a review and approval from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI). 

• Due to time required and difficulty in coordination, proposals involving utilities and rail lines are not recommended. 

• Applicants are responsible for any maintenance required during the project’s display.  

• Consider what happens at the end of the project. How will the project be de-installed? Will it be adopted by your group or some other organization? Who will maintain the project?  

• Safety first; be sure your projects are designed well and are structurally sound for the duration of display. 

Some level of insurance will likely be required depending on the scope of work and location of your project. Our team will help you navigate this process: 

Workers’ Compensation - State-mandated coverage for employees injured on the job. Colorado Workers’ Compensation law requires any business with one or more employees to carry this type of insurance. Sole Proprietors (those with no employees) are not required to carry Workers’ Compensation. It is important to notify the City if this rule applies to you. 

Business Auto Liability - Coverage for liability (negligence) claims by a third party related to the operation of an automobile. Auto insurance is required of all contractors who will be operating a vehicle as part of their contractual duties for the City. The standard limit required is $1,000,000.  Contractors who use their personal vehicles can substitute their personal auto insurance for the business auto requirement.  It is important to notify the City if this rule applies to you. 

General Liability - Coverage for liability (negligence) claims by a third party related to bodily injury (injury to another person) or property damage (damage to another person’s property). Limits will vary depending on the scope of work. Minimum limit is generally $1,000,000. 

Professional Liability - Coverage for claims related to a "professional’s" error in judgment, planning or design. Examples of work requiring professional liability are architectural designs and engineering studies. NOTE: if a third party is hired to do such work, that third party is allowed to carry the insurance. 

To determine what type of insurance is required, final grantees will need to provide a Project Risk Assessment Form on: 

• What is the scope of work? (medium, materials, weight, size) 

• How many people are part of the process from inception to completion? 

• Are these people employees or all sole proprietors? 

• Is specialized/certified knowledge required of the project such as engineering studies or architectural renderings? 

• How will it be installed; where will it be installed; who will be installing it? 

• Will the public have access to the space during the installation? 

• What, if any, special equipment is necessary to install and who will be handling the equipment?

• Map of Denver Neighborhoods: https://denvergov.org/maps/map/neighborhoods  

• Denver Council Districts: https://denvergov.org/Maps/map/councildistricts   

• Map of Denver Parks: www.denvergov.org/maps/map/parks 

• Interactive Map of Property Owners: https://property.spatialest.com/co/denver#/map/search/  

• Denver Bike Map: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Bicycles/Bike-Map    

• Denver GIS Maps (maps showing a variety of urban data): https://www.denvergov.org/MAPS  

• Transit Oriented Development in Denver: https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Community-Planning-and-Development/Planning/Transit-Oriented-Development  

• Registered Neighborhood Organizations: https://www.denvergov.org/maps/map/neighborhoodorganizations   

• Adopted Neighborhood Plans: www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/community-planning-and-development/planning-and-design/completed-plans.html 

• Community Streets Program: https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Programs-Services/Community-Streets  

• Department of Transportation and Infrastructure and Right of Way services permitting:  (pwpermits@denvergov.org or 303-446-3759) https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Department-of-Transportation-and-Infrastructure/Documents/Right-of-Way-Permits  

• Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Design Standards: https://www.ada.gov/    

  • Assistance may also be found by contacting the Denver Office of Disability Rights: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Human-Rights-Community-Partnerships/Divisions/Disability-Rights  

• CDOT Special Use Permits: Contact Kirk Allen, Region 1 Permit Manager, State of Colorado Department of Transportation, at 303-757-9531 or kirk.allen@state.co.gov  

• RTD Permits: The RTD Use Permit application can be found on RTD’s website here: https://www.rtd-denver.com/doing-business-with-rtd/construction-engineering/row-agreements-permits/row-agreement-policy and then should be submitted to realproperty@rtd-denver.com   

Detailed project description, including:  

• Key goals & features  

• Materials used  

• Intended public benefit or impact  

• Amount requested (up to $10,000) 

• Clear budget outlining how funds will be spent  

• Exact public space location(s) (must be city-owned/maintained)  

• Street addresses and/or cross streets  

• Explanation of site selection 

• City Council District(s) of proposed location 

• Relationship to the community  

• How the project reflects, engages, or responds to area  

• What makes your project innovative or creative (artistic, social, environmental, or cultural, etc.)  

List confirmed and potential partners, with:  

• Names, roles, contact information 

• Draft timeline from planning to de-installation  

• Installation plan and project duration  

• Plan for maintenance during display  

• Visuals, renderings, or sketches  

• Material list (ensure durability)  

• Examples of past work or relevant experience  

• Links to support materials (if applicable)  

• Optional, 2-minute video upload option