Well then maybe you could pick different streets. If I were to take the car route to work, I'd likely be hit, or collapse from fear of being hit. Instead, I take other routes through neighborhoods, on trails, etc.

My commute is 12 miles each way through downtown DC and across the Potmac River into northern Virginia. The DC metro area has great bike paths (a bit crowded in the spring and summer, but I'm glad folks are out). I have found, through trial and error, great urban routes through the heart of DC.

I've never been to Denver, but there might be a good bike map of the place, with all those outdoorsy folks there--take a look at some alternative routes to work. You might be surprised.