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Annual employee-led golf tournament tees off National Wellness Month | | |
August is National Wellness Month, and 72 golfers, comprised of RTD employees and their friends and family, kicked it off with the annual employee-led golf tournament at the Evergreen Golf Course Aug. 1.
The tournament began at 7 a.m. with a shotgun start, meaning all 18 teams of four golfers teed off at the same time from different holes on the course. Throughout the morning, golfers worked their way across the fairways vying for a chance to stand on top of this year’s podium.
| | RTD ramps up transit Thursday-Saturday for major events across downtown | | | | RTD is preparing for large downtown events this week, including Zach Bryan concerts Thursday and Friday evenings at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, and the return of Savannah Bananas to sold-out crowds at Coors Field Friday and Saturday. | | Competitor, volunteer, and activity registration for the 2026 Bus Roadeo is now open | | | |
This week, crews in the Downtown Loop Midblocks area continued construction throughout the Stout Street corridor, trenching for storm sewers and placing self-compacting base materials over newly installed duct bank conduits between 14th and 15th streets. Between 16th and 17th streets, crews fine-graded the corridor, installed stabilization fabric, and placed and compacted base material.
The team also trimmed conduits and progressed with duct bank installation between 18th and 19th streets, while crews used a high-powered vacuum to excavate materials surrounding drainage structures. Using high-power vacuums for excavation can help crews safely identify underground utilities without the risk of impact associated with traditional methods such as backhoes or manual shoveling.
In the Colfax Avenue Alignment area, crews progressed embedded track construction between Seventh and Ninth streets by continuing to install reinforcing steel and supporting molds, and by pouring concrete for the embedded track. Near Ninth Street, crews began hand-trenching to install an underground duct bank.
| | Every day across the Denver metro area, RTD employees are making lives better through connections. The agency is proud to spotlight our exceptional workforce who go above and beyond in their roles and embody RTD’s core values. Join us in celebrating colleagues who personify the values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. | | Light rail operator waits for customer rushing to board train using high block | I would like to commend operator Robert Dinger, who was driving my W Line train. I had just crossed the tracks and was about 60 yards from the ramp entrance when the operator pulled up and waited for me to board. I was genuinely taken aback by such a thoughtful gesture. It was the nicest thing that happened to me all day. | | Street supervisor checks on customer waiting in the heat, offers bus for relief | I would like to recognize street supervisor Charece Adkins for her outstanding customer service and compassion. While I was sitting on a bench because I was not feeling well due to the extreme heat, Charece noticed me and took the time to check on my well-being. She approached me, asked if I was okay, and asked if I wanted to get on the bus to get out of the heat. | | Employees and their families enjoy the festivities at Saturday’s Light Rail Rodeo | | |
On Saturday, Elati hosted the 2026 Light Rail Rodeo for a morning of fun, games, and camaraderie with fellow colleagues and their families. Children and children-at-heart had the opportunity to build and race their own Lego cars for prizes, compete in a basketball challenge where the top three scorers received a custom RTD basketball, and have their faces painted by a face painter. Attendees also had the opportunity to interact with special exhibits showcasing different elements of a light rail vehicle, such as doors and wheels, and to explore a light rail train.
Kona Ice was dishing out snow cones all day long in the hot summer heat, and Flippin’ Flapjacks provided attendees and competitors alike with a hot and fresh breakfast to enjoy.
The main event was the return of the famous “Park on the Pit” challenge, where contestants had to park their train as close as possible to an egg fastened to the track without crushing it. Many operators hopped on board and tested their skills against the mighty eggs. Even some members of Operations’ leadership gave it a shot, including Acting Chief Operations Officer Dave Jensen and General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. However, it was Director of Training and Quality Systems Jason Cathey who came closest to the egg, with his wheel placed right on top of the eggshell without a single crack forming.
Thank you to all the volunteers, competitors, and attendees for making this year's Light Rail Rodeo another success! Don't forget that the 2026 Snow Plow Roadeo is Aug. 20, and the 2026 Bus Roadeo is Sept. 19, both at District Shops.
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5 years
Ken Dodson
Track Maintainer
Steven Wilding-Loddo
Controller, Regional Operations Center (Commuter Rail)
Casey De Sousa
Civil Rights Specialist-EO
Justin Nieto
Service Desk Analyst
Jessie Carter
Signal/Traction Power Maintainer
Bianca Dixon
Work Assignments (Bus) Supervisor
Andrew Wojcieszak
Security Systems Engineer
Sandi Simpson
Materials Management Specialist
Matthew Paulk
Train Operator
Gustavo Casillas-Vasquez
Signal/Traction Power Maintainer
Michael Von Sharpsteen
Signal/Traction Power Maintainer
Jerry Nonko
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor
Ruth Pollock
Information Specialist
Michael Petiford
Bus Operator
10 years
Jillian Knapp-Rhodes
Board Office Operations Associate
Mary Arneson
Bus Operator
David Tolan
Bus Operator
Jeffrey Wilson
Bus Operator
Robert Lawrence
Bus Operator
Ian Tolbert
Bus Operator
Wanda Babers
Bus Operator
Barry Opperman
Service Monitor
Donald Harris
Bus Operator
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20 years
Robert Parke
General Repair Certified Mechanic
Getnet Belete
Bus Operator
Willie Ellis
Bus Operator
Aasome Khokhar
Dispatcher
Gyor Wilson
Bus Operator
Greg Smith
Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Bus Operations
Randall Peterson
Technical Training Instructor/Supervisor
Fernando Macias
Regional Operations Center (Bus) Instructor/Supervisor
25 years
Ken Murray
Storeroom Supervisor
Jonathan Wade
Service Development Support Manager
Norma Escobar
Service & Cleaning Supervisor
30 years
Kelly Garcia
Bus Operator
Marcos Carrillo
Project Technician
| | How to enhance intellectual well-being | |
For many, well-being is often defined in terms of physical or emotional health. However, there is another important dimension that’s sometimes overlooked called intellectual well-being. This area centers on the active pursuit, development, and integration of an optimal mental state. It’s not just about what one knows; it’s about how the mind is used, staying curious, and seeking opportunities to learn and grow.
Continue reading to discover a few simple ways to strengthen intellectual wellness.
| | Don’t be haunted by scareware | |
Scareware is a type of cyber threat that uses fake warnings, pop-ups, or alarming messages to trick victims into believing their computer has a virus or security issue. The goal is to make victims panic and take actions that could install malware, expose their information, or give attackers access to their device.
These messages often appear while browsing the internet and may look like legitimate security alerts from trusted companies.
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Join General Counsel Melanie Snyder tomorrow for a refresher on workplace ethics. The in-person session begins at noon in Blake Conference Room A. Light refreshments will be provided to attendees. Click the link below to register. | | | Contracting and Procurement offers employees the following helpful tools to guide and inform about the various types of procurement. | | Procurement types and timelines | | Procurement types and purpose of procurement method | | |
Correction: Senior Service Planner Krista Flynt is part of Service Development, not Long-Range Planning, as stated in Friday’s Hot Sheet. |
| RTD has a number of solicitations currently underway at the agency or planned for the near future. To view and download current solicitations, see upcoming opportunities, and review pending and awarded contracts, follow the links below. | | | | Debra's Quote of the Week | |
"There is strange comfort in knowing that no matter what happens today, the Sun will rise again tomorrow."
— Aaron Lauritsen
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