Operators, mechanics face off at 2025 Light Rail Rodeo | | Bright and early Saturday morning on the Elati maintenance floor, there was a different vibe in the atmosphere. A place usually filled with the revving of power tools and the sounds of metal clanking together was replaced with an odd silence. Trains were parked at all of the bays. Tables, chairs and games adorned the open spaces where replacement train parts once sat. A stage was set for those who would earn the right to stand on it later in the day. For one Saturday only each year, Elati Division turned into the hottest arena in town as the 2025 Light Rail Rodeo kicked off. |
| RTD increases fare checks on rail system by over 500% since May 2024 | The agency is working to ensure that individuals on light rail and commuter rail trains are customers who have paid fare to board. With approximately 100 officers in the Transit Police Department (RTD-PD), the department’s growth has afforded increased patrolling across RTD’s stops and stations, including on the agency’s vehicles. | | RTD-PD, Axon team up to introduce VR training for Transit Police officers | Virtual reality (VR) has redefined how people experience and interact with the world, blurring the line between the digital world and real life. With a simple VR headset, people can now immerse themselves in whatever world they can imagine. Thanks to advancements in technology and availability, VR is more popular and accessible than ever before at the consumer level. | | Diversity Spotlight: Women's Equality Day – Accelerate Action | |
Diversity Spotlight celebrates the diversity of RTD employees and the larger community that RTD serves and fosters an appreciation of our social and cultural similarities and differences. Diversity Spotlight supports RTD’s values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration and ownership.
Observed annually on Aug. 26, Women’s Equality Day commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the constitutional right to vote. While the amendment was ratified in 1920, Women’s Equality Day was officially declared by Congress in 1973, due largely to the efforts of Rep. Bella Abzug, a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and social justice. Abzug championed the observance to honor the suffrage movement and to reaffirm the nation’s ongoing responsibility to advance gender equity.
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| Emu sends Transit Police officers on unusual pursuit in Lakewood | |
Dispatch was in disbelief, Transit Police officer Leon Duran recalled, when he notified them of the first call of his Monday morning.
“They said, ‘Did you say, wild emu?’” Duran said. “I told them: ‘Yes.’"
| | Brake chamber safety training strengthens collaboration at East Metro | It began on May 29, with an early morning email from a mechanic to East Metro Safety Specialist Andrew Garcia. The concern was simple but serious: Brake chambers might not be prepared correctly before being sent into the recycler. | | In memoriam: Raymond Milczewski | | | | |
RTD mourns the loss of Light Rail Transportation Division Supervisor Raymond Milczewski, who died Aug. 12.
Milczewski joined RTD in 2019 and quickly became well-known among his colleagues due to his outgoing nature, eccentric personality, hardworking attitude, and unwavering love for his friends and family.
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Colleagues remember Milczewski for making even the most mundane tasks enjoyable through his quirky brand of humor, unique idioms and easygoing attitude, ending every conversation with his signature catchphrase, “Stay awesome.”
In a memo sent agencywide last Friday, Chief People Officer Charlene Polege remembered Milczewski for being a shining light for all who knew him.
“Raymond was more than a dedicated employee; he was a kind and generous soul, a steady presence and a dedicated member of the team,” she wrote. “Raymond was known for leading with integrity and compassion, and he left a lasting impression on his colleagues and the community.”
Employees who would like to speak with someone about this loss can call RTD’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1.877.237.3954. Colleagues in Light Rail Transportation are also invited to contact Jason Cathey at 303.299.3440, or Rochelle Montez at 303.299.6209, if support is needed. All impacted employees are encouraged to reach out to their supervisor, mentor, or another member of management to receive assistance.
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| Operators: Prepare for questions with these key messages | With the upcoming resumption of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, bus and rail operators should be prepared to help answer customer questions pertaining to this work. The Communications and Engagement Department has put together key messages, linked below as a PDF for download and review. |
| 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. | | Bus operator uses tools at her disposal to help customer with groceries | I just wanted to commend the operator, Sparkle Johnson, for going the extra mile. She did not know that my carry-on suitcase and bags had extremely heavy grocery items (a case of water, canned items, juices, soda, etc.). Not only did she pull close to the curb, but she also lowered the bus at pickup and drop-off. | | Bus operator makes customers feel safe, secure while on route | I've been riding the RTD buses for five years and my bus driver, Michael Burgoa, is the most kind and welcoming person and makes us feel very safe while on his bus. He is very good about staying on schedule and making sure all his customers who ride his bus late at night are safe and sound. | | Welcome to RTD's newest employees | Twenty-two employees joined the agency at Monday's orientation. Welcome aboard to you all! | | Congratulations to the top finishers at the Light Rail Rodeo | | |
At Saturday's Light Rail Rodeo, RTD's best light rail operators and mechanics were crowned after a morning full of friendly competition.
In the first photo, pictured left to right, this year's top three finishers from the transportation competition were Jeremy Osborne (third place), Robert Dennis (first place) and Jason Buckley (second place).
In the second photo, pictured left to right, this year's top three finishers from the maintenance competition were Michael Hubbard (second place), Marvin Bauer (third place) and Mark Millard (first place).
Congratulations to this year's winners!
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Lancine Diakite
Bus Operator (8 years)
Jose Martinez
Street Supervisor (30 years)
| | Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Karnail Singh Dhillon | This week’s Best Dressed Operator of the Week is East Metro operator Karnail Singh Dhillon! Thanks, Karnail, for doing your part to represent RTD in style! | | Ro(a)deo Round-Up: Week of Aug. 18 | | The 2025 Snowplow Roadeo is Friday! | | | | The next event of the 2025 Ro(a)deo season is the Snowplow Roadeo this Friday at District Shops! Head to the back parking lot starting at 8 a.m. and be amazed as Facilities Maintenance staff show off their driving skills, navigating massive trucks through a tight course with obstacles and challenges that mimic what they must navigate during snowstorms and weather events. Parking is available in the lot at Platte Division. Additional parking is available along Weston Street behind District Shops. | | |
Time is running out to enter the 2025 Bus Roadeo operator, maintenance, service and cleaning competitions
Don’t miss the chance to compete in the biggest event of the year and earn a spot among RTD’s best operators, mechanics and service workers. Deadlines for registration for the 2025 Bus Roadeo are:
- Bus mechanics and service workers: Monday, Sept. 1
- Bus operators (rookies and returning competitors): Saturday, Sept. 6
Print the appropriate form through the link below, fill it out and return it to the listed contact by the designated submission deadline. Paper copies are available upon request. Please speak to a supervisor or manager for more information.
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Limited spots remaining to enter in the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Auto and Bike Show at the 2025 Bus Roadeo
Only a handful of spots remain for teams to enter the 2025 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at the 2025 Bus Roadeo! Compete against colleagues and contractors in a double elimination-style half-court basketball tournament to prove who RTD’s best basketball players are.
For those who prefer to show off their rides, spots are filling up quickly for the annual Auto and Bike Show! Display your pride and joy as attendees vote for the best in class for both categories.
Click the link below to register for both the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Auto and Bike Show.
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| August’s OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony is next Wednesday at Blake Street | |
Thirty-one bus and 12 light rail operators, as well as three N Line conductors, are expected to graduate next Wednesday at August’s OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony! The event will begin at noon in the atrium inside RTD headquarters, with a reception to follow in the T&D Conference Room. Light refreshments will be provided.
Employees are welcome to attend the ceremony and congratulate RTD’s newest colleagues. For employees, families and friends who cannot be there in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed via the link below.
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RTD implements new procedure outlining agency management of configuration changes to physical infrastructure | | | | |
The new procedure sets forth how the agency will manage changes to physical infrastructure, including its interface with vehicles, ensuring they are aligned with RTD’s strategic management objectives and ensuring functionality while complying with federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations, as well as agency design criteria.
Click here to view the policy.
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Join members of Capital Programs and Safety Management Systems Program Development Manager Sky Mott at Facts-n-Snacks next week as they take a deep dive into the procedure, such as highlighting what physical infrastructure is, identifying what changes require a committee review, classification for managing infrastructure changes and more. Dates and times are below; invites to the sessions will be sent out tomorrow via Outlook to all employees.
- 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 (In-person, Conference Room T&D, Blake Street)
- 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28 (Virtual)
- Noon Friday, Aug. 29 (Virtual)
Employees having issues accepting the meeting invite or who have questions about the sessions can contact Internal and Executive Communications Manager Laurie Huff (laurie.huff@rtd-denver.com), copying Senior Specialist, Public Relations Austin Nettleton (austin.nettleton@rtd-denver.com).
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Take a virtual trip around the world in the next wellness challenge | Benefits and Wellbeing is kicking off a new wellness challenge! The Worldwide Wellness Challenge takes participants on a virtual trip around the world, in which they will record physical activity to earn points, meet weekly goals and build well-being habits that last a lifetime. The challenge begins Sept. 15 and continues through Oct. 26. |
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August service changes bring Boulder route updates | RTD is modifying key Boulder bus services to enhance reliability and connectivity for customers in Downtown Boulder. The agency is adjusting transit services at the newly expanded Downtown Boulder Station and relocating some services to Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station, which will reopen Sept. 2. | | 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 | |
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
– John Wooden
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