What If Getting Around Centennial Didn’t Always Require a Car?
For many Centennial residents, driving is simply how life works. But that is not true for everyone, including older adults, teens, people with disabilities, residents who do not drive, and households where one vehicle must stretch across several schedules.
Arapahoe County’s ArapaGO Transit Connections Plan is exploring on-demand “microtransit,” which works somewhat like a shared rideshare within a designated service area. Trips could be requested by phone or app, helping connect residents with jobs, healthcare, schools, shopping and existing bus or light-rail service.
Two of the proposed pilot areas directly involve Centennial, including Southeast Centennial and an area encompassing Southeast Aurora, Southlands and portions of Centennial. The County is accepting community input through September 27, making this a particularly good week to look at the options and speak up. (Arapahoe County)
Explore ArapaGO and the proposed transportation pilots
The City Budget Is Really About the Things We Use Every Day
A municipal budget can sound distant until you translate it into pavement, bridges, traffic signals, sidewalks and safe intersections.
Centennial maintains approximately 435 miles of paved public streets, 92 traffic signals and 94 bridges, and the City says aging infrastructure, rising costs and slowing revenue growth are creating a long-term funding challenge. Centennial currently projects that, without changes, it may not have sufficient funding by 2028 to maintain transportation infrastructure at current levels. (Centennial)
That conversation becomes especially timely this week because Centennial’s City Charter calls for the City Manager’s proposed budget to be delivered to Council by September 20 each year.
Residents do not have to be municipal-finance experts to participate. Understanding where the money comes from, where it goes and what tradeoffs exist is a meaningful first step. (Centennial)
Explore Centennial’s City budget and financial outlook
Fall Cleanup Can Be Community Stewardship
Those crisp September mornings also bring a practical opportunity to think beyond the curb.
On Saturday, September 19, from 8 a.m. to noon, Centennial residents can bring eligible tree limbs, branches, firewood, smaller logs and dead shrubs to the Centennial Public Works Facility for free recycling. Free mulch will also be available beginning at noon while supplies last. Because unloading is self-service, residents who may need physical assistance should plan accordingly. (Centennial)
See what is accepted at Centennial’s Free Chipping and Mulch Event
Removing dead or damaged vegetation is not merely cosmetic. Colorado’s dry conditions make thoughtful property maintenance part of the broader conversation about resilience and fire awareness. Fire restrictions can change quickly, so residents should always check current guidance before burning or using outdoor flames. (Arapahoe County)
This Week’s Pulse
Maybe the real pulse of Centennial is not measured by how many activities fill our calendars. It is measured by whether residents understand the choices taking shape around them.
How do we help more people get where they need to go? How do we maintain the infrastructure we already depend upon?
How do our individual choices contribute to a safer, more resilient community?
Those are bigger questions than a weekend calendar, and they are worth keeping an eye on.
54 Comments
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I always thought budget talks were boring, but when you say it’s about the roads and bridges we use daily, it clicks more for me.
I think the city’s framing these choices the right way. How we get around and take care of our neighborhoods will shape our future here.
Nick B.Totally agree. These decisions really do stick around long-term. I hope more folks pay attention and chime in while it’s still early.
Would love it if they expanded these cleanup and recycling events. Many residents miss out with only one date.
That's a great suggestion, and it’s clear that interest in cleanup and recycling is strong, expanding these opportunities is something the City can consider as resources allow.
Appreciate the fire safety reminder. These dry months make me nervous with all the dead brush. Stay careful, everyone.
Can we also get rid of old paint or chemicals at these events? I have stuff in the garage from like 2002.
Bill ReillyI don’t think they take paint or chemicals at the branch drop-off, but Arapahoe County does special hazardous waste days for that stuff. You might want to check the county website for dates.
Would it be possible to add pickup help at the mulch event for those with disabilities? Even a couple volunteers would go far.
Glad they’re asking for public input on the transit pilots. Too often stuff just gets decided for us.
It’s hard to know which budget tradeoffs make sense. I want good roads, but costs keep going up everywhere.
Centennial has so many bridges, no wonder our infrastructure costs are high. Never realized how much that adds up.
Thanks for outlining the fall cleanup rules. My neighbor and I always end up confused about what’s allowed.
Wish we could get some sidewalks added in western Centennial. Makes walking the dog tricky.
Hope they really gather community opinions and not just go through the motions.
I get the focus on seniors but don’t forget about commuters who rely on their cars cause there’s no choice right now.
Would like to understand what tradeoffs the city is considering with the budget. Can’t have it all but would be good to know priorities.
You're right, prioritizing is necessary, residents can explore the city's budget website to see what options are under discussion and learn more about the tradeoffs being considered.
Our streets are definitely aging. I see more potholes every week. We need to figure out how to pay for repairs without hurting families.
September is always the best for cleaning up the yard. Love that the city does this for free instead of just making us haul it ourselves.
I’ve lived here 30 years and always thought we could use more transportation options. Maybe this is finally a start.
Does anyone know if the chipping event will take brush with roots? I have some invasive stuff to get rid of.
I moved here for the peace and green spaces, but roads are getting busier. More transit options might help with traffic.
Curious how microtransit will work alongside RTD. Don’t want two systems that don’t talk to each other.
That's a great question, one goal of microtransit is to connect residents with existing RTD bus and light-rail service, rather than duplicate it, so coordination will be key if the pilots move forward.
Glad they mentioned fire safety. Too many people let trees pile up in their yards during this dry weather.
I wish the city would fix the traffic lights on Smoky Hill. Sometimes they’re just way out of sync.
Traffic signal timing is a key part of maintaining smooth travel, and your feedback helps the City prioritize where adjustments are most needed, especially on busy corridors like Smoky Hill.
I wish we had more sidewalks in my part of Centennial. Transit helps but we still have to walk to stops.
Free mulch is always gone by 12:10. Get there early if you want some!
I don’t drive anymore and getting groceries is a pain. Microtransit could make a big difference for folks like me.
Glad to see things for people with disabilities included in the transit plan. My mom could use this when she visits.
The city budget always seems confusing to me, but at least they’re trying to educate residents. Maybe I’ll check out that website.
I appreciate that they are asking for resident opinions on transit plans. Makes me feel like my voice matters.
Used the mulch pickup last fall. It was good stuff but definitely bring a shovel and bags or buckets!
We're glad to hear the mulch was helpful, and yes, it's definitely a DIY process, so bringing your own tools and containers is the way to go!
I love the idea of leaving the car at home, but Centennial is so spread out. I’m not sure how practical microtransit will be.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, you're right that Centennial's layout poses challenges, which is why the ArapaGO plan is focusing on flexible, on-demand microtransit to better match the needs of our community.
Would like to see more info about what happens after pilots. If it works, does it actually stick around?
The fire risk is real. I remember the windstorm last year, and all the tree limbs that piled up. This is a good reminder.
Always seem to announce these city events with such short notice. Wish they’d get the word out sooner about the cleanup stuff.
Not surprised Centennial is facing money troubles with all these road repairs. We need to plan ahead, not just fix things when they break.
Wish they’d make dropping branches off easier for people who can’t lift heavy stuff. Could use some volunteers maybe?
Thank you for raising that, while the event is self-service, your idea of community volunteers is a thoughtful suggestion we hope organizers will consider for future events to help more residents participate.
Appreciate how these new transit options include those of us who don’t drive! Not everyone can rely on a car.
Honestly worried about the budget. The roads are already pretty rough in places. Does anyone know if they plan to raise taxes or cut stuff?
I live near Southlands and there’s basically no transit. Would love to see the pilot reach this area.
Public transit would help kids and older residents a lot. My son can’t drive yet so this could be huge for our family.
Glad they’re offering free chipping and mulch. Last year the mulch ran out fast though, so get there early folks.
Glad to see tree chipping events are back. Did it last year and the mulch was great for my yard.
I never thought about how much we use our roads and signals until potholes start popping up. Makes sense to think about budget now.
Absolutely, so much of our daily life relies on well-maintained roads and infrastructure, which is why it's important for everyone to understand and weigh in on the city budget.
I like the idea of microtransit but hope it's affordable. Sometimes these pilot programs forget about folks on tight budgets.
Curious about the microtransit thing. Feels like it could help my teen get to work without me driving everywhere. Will keep an eye on it.