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February 12, 2025

All northbound speed restrictions along D Line lifted; southbound speed restriction between Evans, Englewood stations removed

Additionally, maintenance crews have reduced the last remaining E Line speed restriction between Yale and Southmoor stations. At the start of revenue service on Feb. 7, customers began to notice significant improvements in their overall travel time along the D, E and H lines. The maintenance work and bus shuttles that were initially planned for today between Florida and Southmoor stations are now scheduled to take place tomorrow and Monday. On Tuesday, bus shuttle service will be provided between Southmoor and I-25•Broadway stations during planned maintenance.

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Meet Gisa Simmons: 'People just really want to be heard'

Gisa Simmons is here to hear your life story, to give thought to the information she is entrusted to hold and determine how to help make other people’s lives easier. As a Civil Rights Outreach Specialist, she leads public outreach efforts associated with civil rights requirements and initiatives. She also maintains relationships with elected officials, disability advocacy organizations, minority-owned businesses and community leaders.

Read more on the Hub

Today, the Internal Communications team debuts an ongoing series called “Why I Work for RTD.” Every two weeks, we will feature an employee speaking in their own words about their tenure at the agency and what motivates and inspires them. We hope you enjoy learning about your colleagues.

Peter Cocozzella, bus operator, East Metro (10 years)

“This is my way of giving back to the community a little bit. Driving a bus to me is the most humbling experience. You get to meet so many different people on that bus route. I love doing the Colfax routes and the 105. A lot of the people that ride the bus are just like my mom and dad: They came here, and all they wanted to do was work to make things better for their kids. I see a lot of the same people. They’re scraping to make ends meet, and they need to take the bus to and from work."

Meet Peter

RTD recognizes employee guitarists for National Guitar Day

Yesterday was National Guitar Day, a day dedicated to musicians across the globe who play the guitar, whether it’s a four-string bass or the 20-string monstrosity that is the Djentar. In recognition of National Guitar Day, meet Jake Stoudenmire, Ross Hoekman and Tomas Johnsen, three RTD employees who enjoy shredding strings off the clock.

Jake Stoudenmire

Ross Hoekman

Tomas Johnsen

Read more on the Hub

Introvert Book Club holds session Friday on the A Line

On Friday evening, Denver Public Library (DPL) reimagined what a book club could be – by taking it to transit. At 6 p.m., more than 70 participants boarded the A Line at Denver Union Station with a book to read, to enjoy a trip to Denver International Airport and back. Introvert Book Club members read quietly in companionable silence or enjoyed the company of fellow book lovers. The event — made possible through collaboration with RTD’s Community Engagement team — supported Winter of Reading, the library’s annual challenge to encourage adults to read, connect and explore. The energy around this event was like “lightning in a bottle,” said Jessie de La Cruz, Adult Program Administrator at DPL. Those interested in a follow-up event being planned should keep an eye on the library’s social platforms for details.

Employee Spotlight

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.

Marketing employees help procurement specialist overcome issue

The solicitation for the Downtown Rail Replacement Project is currently active. RTD received well in excess of 100 questions regarding this project. Some of the answers to these questions required a tremendous amount of data (current IGAs, CAD files, drawings, etc.).

> Read more <

Light rail operator helps deaf customer correctly alight at desired stop

Operator Brent Miller went above and beyond to help a deaf rider. He came out three times to assist her, and even when she was supposed to get off and didn’t, he came back out to let her know and help her and her daughter. What an awesome and caring driver.

> Read more <

5 years


Solomon Areda

Bus Operator


Ron Doremus  

Supervisor, Rail Signals


Laura Garibay Ramirez   

LRT Division Supervisor


Kline Price      

Certified Train Operator


Gilbert Trujillo

Bus Operator


Bill Bradford   

Senior Manager, Information Governance and Management


Clyde Cooper  

Bus Operator


Sylvan Creach 

Bus Operator


Carlos Robles-Escobar    

Bus Operator


Dora Sanchez  

Bus Operator


Michael Schaefer    

Bus Operator


Frank Vidergar

Service Monitoring Technician


Clyde Ross      

Custodian/Public Facilities Maintenance


Alfredo Mulato

Service Worker


Jeremy Fritts  

Certified Train Operator


Randy Jesse    

Certified Train Operator


Rominik Mays 

Certified Train Operator


David Morrison

Certified Train Operator


Brett Ryals      

Supervisor, Light Rail Storeroom


Amir Turkpour

Certified Train Engineer


Baxter Utsey   

Certified Train Operator


Jason Ngo       

Certified Train Engineer

10 years


Damon Morgan

Bus Operator


Charise Chavez

Parts Clerk


Luis Hinojo     

Track Maintainer


Alan Wilkes     

Facilities Maintenance Mechanic


Timothy Branstetter

Rail Laborer


Dale Shifty      

Senior Payroll Data Analyst


Judy Wang      

Senior Software Engineer


Eric Krum

ITS Systems Administrator


Dale Bolen      

Electro Mechanic LRV

 

15 years


Dan Jackson

Lead GIS Architect


Telyshia Tate

Bus Operator


Steve Challis

Bus Operator


Stephen Winn

Unit Shop Certified Technician


Dawud Taylor El      

Sales/Information Representative


Veselin Doslo

Electronic Technician, Revenue Systems

20 years


Christopher Moralez

Bus Operator, Platte


Nataly Handlos

Senior Service Planner/Scheduler


Chong Osborn 

Service Person, East Metro

 


25 years


Tina Jaquez    

Public Relations Manager


Millard Martinez     

Bus Operator, Platte


Sonia Lucero   

Training and Division Relations Manager


Kristy Sena     

Parts Clerk, Warehouse


Gwendolyn Baldwin

Parts Clerk

 


30 years


James Mohan  

Landscaper, General


Loradeane Clinkenbeard 

Manager, Bus Operator Training

From Information Technology: Service Desk representatives to visit divisions for on-site assistance

The IT Service Desk team will be visiting divisions this month to determine what employees need to provide better and more focused support. The team will be soliciting feedback, looking into issues and helping colleagues understand how to get the most out of RTD’s IT systems.

Employees can schedule a consultation by contacting the team via the RTD IT Service Desk Teams channel. Visits are planned as follows:

711 building

  • Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Blake Street

  • Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 26, 1:30-3 p.m.

Boulder

  • Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Civic Center Plaza

  • Feb. 18, 2-3:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-noon

District Shops

  • Feb. 20, 1:30-3 p.m.
  • Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Elati

  • Feb. 24, 1-2:30 p.m.

East Metro

  • Feb. 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Mariposa

  • Feb. 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Rio Court

  • Feb. 25, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Platte

  • Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-noon

'Live Tracker' replaces 'Commute' on Next Ride to provide real-time tracking

To better serve customers, RTD has updated the real-time vehicle tracking feature on its Next Ride application. The feature formerly known as “Commute” in the web-based trip planning application is now called “Live Tracker,” following an update that went live Feb. 6.

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Dialogue with Debra, Benefits surveys close today

Today is your final chance to provide feedback about Dialogue with Debra. Additionally, the Benefits survey for salaried employees concludes at close of business today. Click the links below to share your thoughts.

Dialogue with Debra survey 
Benefits survey

Discounted tickets to select Avalanche, Nuggets home games on sale now to RTD employees

Grab the family and enjoy a night out with the Denver Nuggets or Colorado Avalanche! RTD has teamed up with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to offer discounted tickets to select Nuggets and Avalanche home games this season. Click the links below to get your tickets today. 

Nuggets tickets
Avalanche tickets

Fitch upgrades RTD's Issuer Default Rating to 'AA+'

RTD received an upgraded rating outlook of ‘AA+’ from Fitch Ratings, one of three credit rating agencies RTD uses, including Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. Previously, the agency’s score was ‘AA’.

A news release issued by Fitch shared that the upgraded Issuer Default Rating of ‘AA+’ Outlook Stable for RTD indicates the agency’s financial resilience assessment “based on limited budgetary flexibility and Fitch’s expectation that net working capital levels will equal at least 25% of total net operating expenses compared to the current level of nearly 97%.”

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RTD will provide bus shuttle service Feb. 15 between Denver Airport, Peoria stations

RTD will perform maintenance that will affect commuter rail service Saturday morning on the A Line between Denver Airport Station and Peoria Station. Regular A Line service will continue to operate between Denver Union Station and Peoria Station.

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RTD Solicitations

RTD has a number of solicitations currently underway 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.

Current Solicitations
Upcoming Solicitations
Contracts Pending Award
Debra Johnson

Debra's Quote of the Week

History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.



— Michelle Obama

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