Date: 202101
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: DEN.Airport, CO
Flight conditions: VMC
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Taxi
ATC / advisory: Ground DEN
Second aircraft: Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Automation Air Traffic Control; Person Air Traffic Control
When detected: Taxi
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Contributing factors: Airport; Chart Or Publication; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Chart Or Publication

Narrative: DEN ground instructed us to taxi to RWY 17L from E4 via mike; hold short of ED. Once on Mike northbound Ground instructed us to turn right at ED and hold short of the approach end of Runway 17R. The FO (First Officer) was in the process of completing his delayed engine start flow as I started the turn on ED. At this point I noticed traffic on short final to Runway 17R and thinking to myself that it didn't seem right to turn on ED. I stopped the aircraft as soon as it was straight and pointed east on ED. I asked the FO if he saw a sign or hold short line on his side. I saw no signage in front of us and now felt extremely uncomfortable with our proximity to the Runway 17R approach path. At this point the Ground Controller told us we were supposed to stop 50 ft. further back. I looked behind us and noticed the left wing tip was over the east edge of Taxiway Mike. I could not see a hold line below the wing. We were switched to Tower. The Tower Controller gave us a number to call for a possible pilot deviation. Shortly after writing down the number we were cleared for takeoff. As we rolled down the runway I realized we failed to complete the final items.I spoke to the Tower supervisor later that day and explained the events as they occurred. He admitted that this hot spot is an ongoing issue; the hold area is not well marked and the Controller's intent was to have us pointed east to help move aircraft through the Runway 17R approach path faster. Unfortunately the Tower had to send around the landing traffic I was distracted with during the turn because they were not sure if we would stop. I have flown in and out of DEN since the day it opened and have never been issued a clearance like this. I have always been instructed to hold short of ED when aircraft are landing Runway 17R. I believe this type of clearance should be avoided; specially in an area that is a hot spot. The aircraft behind us which received the same clearance had to confirm the clearance and the intent to hold short immediately after turning.


Second narrative: We had a leg planned for DEN-ZZZ with Runways 17L; 17R; and 8 being used for departure.  Going westbound; I programmed and planned and briefed a 17R departure. The captain briefed a single-engine taxi.  After block out we were advised of a 17L departure.  For me that is several threats; a runway change requiring FMC programming; retrieving new performance; single-engine taxi ( increased workload; 2 engine-start flows etc); and unavoidable time when only the Captains eyes are outside the cockpit during FO single-engine duties during hi intensity ground operations @ DEN. On taxi out we were instructed to taxi to Runway 17L via Taxiway M and hold short of ED.  At some point northbound on Taxiway M with a hold short instruction in hand;  I initiated start of ENG 1.   During the engine start; the ground controller gave an additional instruction to turn right on to ED and hold short of the Runway 17R approach area.  Due to my required duties during an engine start which aren't easily paused/stopped; I could not write down the instruction; nor could I refer to my taxi diagram so that I could act as a backup-another set of eyes in the cockpit; I was only able to say-back the instruction and nothing else. The captain had a response to me that conveyed that he heard and understood the instruction.  I pressed on completing the engine-start.   I was heads down completing my duties during our expected right hand turn onto ED.  Shortly thereafter I heard the captain make a comment about an aircraft landing on Runway 17R and he brought the airplane to stop.  It was several moments before the ground controller came on the radio to say that we were to hold short of the approach area which was now behind us.  We were then instructed to continue taxi; switched over to tower; given a phone number and cleared for takeoff.


Synopsis: Air Carrier Pilot Crew reported Ground Control instructions and the charted version of this Hotspot at DEN airport are confusing.