WPENA has periodically received questions from neighbors about 5G cell poles in the neighborhood, so we have pulled together the following information you can use to learn about 5G and the city’s processes. As best as WPENA understands it, various telecom companies will be installing “Small Cell Infrastructure” throughout the city of Denver, some will be freestanding poles, some will be added to existing or new street lamps and signal lights. We don’t believe there is anything that can be done to stop a pole being placed in your right of way unless (see the Westword Article below) you have trees within a certain distance to each other. We hope this helps and will keep an eye on the issue.
The city of Denver has a permit process for “Small Cell Infrastructure” poles for enhanced 4G and 5G that various companies will be installing around the city of Denver. This PDF explains what the poles are, where they can go, what the permitting process is, what the federal and state laws are that the city of Denver has to comply with, and contacts for more information. https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/730/documents/ROWServices/small-cell-infrastructure-2019.pdf (opens PDF)
You can view current, permitted and proposed locations on this interactive map here: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/transportation-infrastructure/programs-services/small-cell.html (after clicking on the link scroll down and click on “Small Cell Location Map.”)
Regarding the state laws that allow for 5G poles to be placed in public right of ways, you can review the state law here: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb17-1193. For the city processes and permitting, you can learn more here: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/right-of-way-services/permits/small-cell.html
Finally, Westword has quite a good overview here: https://www.westword.com/news/5g-infrastructure-is-popping-up-in-denver-to-the-chagrin-of-residents-11450652