Coordinated Hazardous Tree Removal at Historic Denver Church
Hazardous Tree Removal, Deadwood Pruning & Utility Clearance
Historic Denver Church
Denver church preparing to celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2027
Location
Denver, Colorado
Summary
DCPS completed a complex tree removal and pruning project at a historic Denver church, addressing a declining tree that posed a risk to nearly 100-year-old stained-glass windows along with hazardous deadwood throughout the property. The multi-day project also included stump removal and utility line clearance. Located near the busy intersection of 7th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, the work required careful coordination of a Denver right-of-way permit, lane and sidewalk closures, flaggers, equipment staging, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and utility clearances.
Challenge
A declining tree on the property posed a potential risk to the church’s nearly 100-year-old stained-glass windows, while several additional trees contained hazardous deadwood requiring removal. The property’s location along a heavily traveled Denver corridor added another layer of complexity, with vehicle traffic, pedestrians, cyclists, nearby businesses, utility lines, and limited work space all requiring careful consideration.
Solution
DCPS developed a coordinated work plan to safely remove the hazardous tree and stump, address deadwood throughout the property, and clear vegetation around utility lines while minimizing impacts to the surrounding area. The team secured the required Denver right-of-way permit and coordinated lane and sidewalk closures, flaggers, equipment, utility clearance, and a seven-person field crew. Detailed planning between project leadership, field crews, permitting support, and the equipment shop helped the team execute the work safely and efficiently in a challenging urban environment.
The project began with an assessment of the trees, surrounding structures, utility lines, traffic patterns, and other site conditions that would affect safe execution. Because portions of the work extended into the public right-of-way, the team secured the necessary City and County of Denver permit and developed plans for lane and sidewalk closures. Traffic control and flaggers were coordinated to help protect the crew while maintaining safe movement for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists around the work zone. Equipment and crew logistics were planned carefully due to the limited working area and the proximity of the church’s stained-glass windows, utility lines, neighboring businesses, and active streets. The field team then completed the planned tree removals, stump removals, hazardous deadwood pruning, and utility clearance using multiple pieces of specialized equipment. Throughout the multi-day project, project leadership and field crews adjusted operations as needed to maintain a controlled work zone and keep the project moving safely and efficiently.
