# Tree Root Sidewalk Damage in Denver, CO: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Since Ordinance 1076-24 (2024), Denver repairs sidewalks itself, tree-caused damage or not, funded by a mandatory per-parcel sidewalk service charge.

**Who pays:** city

Denver flipped to a city-run sidewalk utility in 2024: a per-parcel service charge now funds all sidewalk repair, so tree-root damage is just the city’s program like everything else.

**Boundary:** Since Ordinance 1076-24 (effective Sept 2024), Denver runs a universal Sidewalk Program funded by a mandatory per-parcel sidewalk service charge; the city performs sidewalk construction, reconstruction, and repair, tree-caused or not.

**Property owner:** Owners pay the per-parcel sidewalk service charge but no longer perform the repair; the prior owner-liable model was replaced.

**City / agency:** Denver R.M.C. Ch. 49: the city runs the Sidewalk Program and Fund (49-145 to 49-155). Sec. 49-153(a) even disclaims that the charge guarantees a defect-free sidewalk or creates city liability, confirming the city collects the charge and performs the work.

**Exceptions:** Mandatory per-parcel sidewalk service charge funds the city-run program; airport-authority property is exempt (49-147)

## Sources
- [Sec. 49-145. - Findings and purpose; Sidewalk Program and Sidewalk Fund.](https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH49STSIOTPUWA_ARTVISICUGUDR_DIV5SIPRSIFU_S49-150ADDIMATRIN) — "this division promulgates and sets forth a sidewalk service charge to be paid by the owners of every lot or parcel of land within the city, the revenues from which shall be dedicated to construction, reconstruction and repair of sidewalks and sidewalk infrastructure to be performed by the city." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Sec. 49-146. - Definitions (Repair).](https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH49STSIOTPUWA_ARTVISICUGUDR_DIV5SIPRSIFU_S49-150ADDIMATRIN) — "Repair. Fixing or restoring a hazardous condition of an existing sidewalk to a state of good repair. For purposes of this division, the term repair does not include cleaning sidewalks and maintenance of improvements in the public right-of-way as detailed in article XV of chapter 49, D.R.M.C." (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-07. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/denver-co-tree-roots/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._