Thursday, November 6, 2025

Question: What unforeseen obstacle halted construction on Peña Boulevard for several months in 1992?

Answer: In the summer of 1992, while both the 11.1-mile freeway and Denver International Airport were under construction, crews were forced to pause work on Peña Boulevard to avoid disturbing a family of burrowing owls nesting in the area. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it’s illegal to disturb protected bird species during nesting season.