A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 14137; Flight Crew Type 10964
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
On downwind to Denver at 11;000 ft. Told VFR traffic circling over downtown Denver at 9;500 ft. Not in sight. Instructed to descend to ten thousand. Traffic not in sight. Frequency busy. Told to turn left to base leg; away from traffic; and received TCAS CLIMB alert. Clear of traffic quickly; informed controller; cleared for a visual to 35L. High and tight. Close to unstabilized approach but handled well by FO and landed.
I had to go to about 1100 feet per minute up to get out of the red band. I estimate we climbed up to about 11000 after being almost down to 10000. The Captain alerted ATC but they were not very responsive. There were communication issues with stepping on each other (between ATC and the Captain) that caused a delayed visual clearance to 35L. We ended up pushing the stabilized approach criteria due to the late approach clearance and an assigned heading that sent us directly to the airport but I do not believe we were out of compliance. We ended up in this situation because we had to climb due to the TCAS event.
A319 flight crew reported responding to a TCAS RA on approach to DEN.