Denver Public Schools is moving forward with a new elementary school in Green Valley Ranch, as plans reveal a larger long-term vision for the site that could include a future middle school and adjacent commercial development.
The proposed Gateway E-5 school will be located near East 51st Avenue and North Telluride Street and is currently under concept review with the City and County of Denver.
Plans call for an approximately 89,000-square-foot campus serving 500 to 550 students from early childhood education through 5th grade. The building will include a mix of one- and two-story spaces, with classrooms oriented to reduce noise impacts and maximize daylight.
The program includes classrooms, administration, special education, art, music, and science spaces, along with a gym, cafeteria, and shared commons areas. Outdoor amenities include play fields, a concrete play court, and multiple play areas distributed around the building.
While the initial phase focuses on the elementary school, site plans clearly designate multiple areas for a future middle school addition. These areas are shown on both the northern and southeastern portions of the site, indicating the campus could expand into a larger K–8 facility over time.
Plans also identify a Phase 2 area along the northern edge of the site fronting East 56th Avenue. This portion of the site appears to accommodate multiple pad sites, suggesting potential future retail or commercial uses integrated along the corridor.
The school is being developed in coordination with the broader DIA Spur infrastructure buildout, including access, utilities, and roadway improvements in the surrounding area.
If approvals proceed on schedule, DPS is targeting early foundation work to begin in November 2026, with full project approvals expected by the end of the year.
The project reflects continued population growth in Green Valley Ranch and signals a long-term strategy to expand both educational capacity and supporting development in the area.