Denver Launches Annual Street Sweeping Program

Denver’s annual street sweeping program commenced on Wednesday, April 2, 2026. The initiative aims to improve air quality and maintain clean roadways throughout the city.

Significant Ticketing Numbers in 2025

In 2025, the program resulted in nearly 128,000 citations being issued to drivers who failed to relocate their vehicles. This generated approximately $6.7 million in revenue for Denver’s general fund. A citation for parking during street sweeping is $50, according to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI).

Why Street Sweeping Matters

“Denver asks residents to move their cars on their street sweeping day so the sweepers can reach all the way to the curb line where dirt accumulates,” a DOTI spokesperson explained. The annual sweeping is crucial for removing dirt, debris, and pollutants from streets.

Benefits of a Clean Sweep

  • Improves air quality by reducing particulate matter.
  • Prevents clogging of storm drains.
  • Keeps contaminants out of local waterways.

“Street sweeping directly improves air quality by removing accumulated dirt, sand, and particulate matter from roads, reducing the 'brown cloud' effect,” the spokesperson added.

Resident Concerns and Challenges

Some Denver residents find it challenging to remember street sweeping schedules. “I think parking has really increased when it comes to Logan Street. Early in the morning, you have to move off that left side. A lot of people forget, and a lot of them don't read the signs,” said Carl Schmidt, a longtime Denver resident.

Schmidt also noted the potential for confusion and expense related to vehicle towing. “What happens is they tow them, and that's expensive. They tow them into other streets where they can park them, and then you don't know where your car went to,” he stated.

Towing Practices

DOTI clarified that regular street sweeping does not involve towing. However, DOTI Director of Communications Nancy Kuhn explained that special sweeping efforts may occasionally require temporary vehicle relocation. “As part of a special sweeping effort, we may post no parking signs and move people’s cars to get a good sweep, but nothing like that is currently scheduled,” Kuhn said.

Avoiding Tickets and Staying Informed

DOTI encourages residents to utilize online resources to stay informed about street sweeping schedules. “Go to Denver’s online services hub and access your street sweeping schedule. You can sign up for reminders via text or email. So, before your sweeping day, you're going to get a notice to help you remember your sweeping day,” Kuhn advised.

The program runs annually from April through November. DOTI’s primary goal is to encourage compliance rather than issue fines. “Our goal is to encourage people to move their cars so that we can do the best job possible for their neighborhood and really get in there and do a good job sweeping,” Kuhn emphasized.