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Meet RTD's first on-staff videographer, Mark Morarie | Digital media evolves at the speed of light. In just the past twenty years, the world has seen analog media such as VHS tapes and cathode-ray tube televisions evolve into streaming and ultra-high-definition formats, all accessible from a tiny device that can fit in the palm of a hand. With that comes the evolution of how content is captured and shared. For RTD, this has meant the agency has had to be selective in what to professionally film in the past, as it required working with a contracted videographer. Now, the agency has expanded its capacity with the addition of its first-ever in-house videographer, Mark Morarie, to the team. |
| Ten RTD mechanics selected as mentors for Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Program | |
On June 25, the inaugural cohort of mentors for the Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Program met at District Shops to get to know one another and learn more about their new roles and responsibilities. The ten general repair mechanics were selected to be mentors following a competitive bidding and interview process. As mentors, they will work side-by-side with apprentices both in the classroom and on the shop floor.
The mentor training was developed as a collaboration between and co-facilitated by ATU Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development Jamaine Gibson and RTD Learning and Training Specialist Allison Korinek. Mentors reviewed the key roles and attributes of a successful mentor and practiced providing instruction and constructive feedback on typical maintenance tasks. RTD’s program is the 162nd such partnership with the ATU to develop robust mentorship in support of sustained workforce expansion and improvement.
| | 61st anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and RTD's commitment to transit equity | |
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.
RTD is celebrating the 61st anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that not only ended segregation in public spaces but also laid the groundwork for greater equality across American society. RTD commemorates the Act and acknowledges its enduring influence through the agency’s mission to provide equitable public transportation for all.
| | | Sangman Yoon, General Superintendent of Bus Maintenance and triathlete | Anyone who has spent time on the internet recently has likely heard of the term “built different.” This is a slang term created by Generation Z that refers to someone who is exceptionally capable, talented or resilient, often in a way that surpasses others. For triathletes, there is no better term that represents their mentality to combining endurance swimming, cycling and running, and being “built different” perfectly describes RTD’s General Superintendent of Bus Maintenance Sangman Yoon. |
| Matt Miraflor, SCADA Controller, 25 years | | | | “I thrive in a fast-paced environment. I learned that years ago, working in restaurants, high-paced kitchens. I moved to Colorado from Hawaii in 1999. I did a lot of restaurant experience there and applied for a bunch of restaurants here. It didn’t really pan out as far as pay. RTD back in the day had a one-day hiring process: the testing, the drug testing, the background check, everything. My official hire date was in 2000. I did about five years on the bus side, then I came to light rail and was a train operator until 2013. I’ve been with RTD in this control room since then." | | Dispatcher Jill Fontaine retired June 27 after 20 years of service with RTD | Longtime Lead Dispatcher Jill Fontaine (pictured center left) stands with Acting Assistant General Manager, Bus Operations Greg Smith (pictured left), RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson (pictured center right), and RTD Board of Directors Chair Julien Bouquet (pictured right) as she was recognized at the June Board of Directors meeting for her many years of service with the agency. | |
After 32 years of service – the past 20 of them with RTD – Lead Dispatcher Jill Fontaine completed her career in public transit Friday. She was recognized by her colleagues in Bus Operations and at the June 24 Board of Directors meeting, where Acting Assistant General Manager of Bus Operations Greg Smith noted that “whether it be a flood, blizzard or large event, Ms. Fontaine set the gold standard for leadership at our dispatch center.”
Fontaine began her career with an RTD fixed-route contractor, working for 12 years as a bus operator and instructor. After joining RTD officially in 2005, she served as an operator, a station starter and a dispatcher. She was a lead dispatcher for the past six years.
Fontaine has many adventures to look forward to in retirement, including spur-of-the-moment camping trips, all-day bike rides with friends and ample time to tend to her large garden. She is excited to spend more time with her husband, mother, children and 4-year-old granddaughter.
Fontaine said she doesn’t imagine she will ever stop watching buses, and that she will miss many of the great people she has worked with. At last week’s Board meeting, she reflected on the responsibility of assisting her operator colleagues. “It’s been a wild ride sometimes,” she said. “But I’ve had the chance to learn and grow and progress, and I appreciate that very much.”
| | RTD supports cyclists on Bike to Work Day | | |
RTD joined dozens of organizations at Civic Center Park last Wednesday, June 25, for the annual Bike to Work Day event hosted by the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. The event brought together commuters, local companies and government agencies to celebrate biking as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation.
The event invited cyclists to stop by for breakfast, games and giveaways. At RTD’s booth, attendees had the chance to win a Bike to Work Day t-shirt by playing a game of transit-themed jeopardy with topics covering local trails, transportation history and details of RTD’s Bike-n-Ride program. Over 300 people participated in the game to learn something new and even win a free t-shirt.
Planning Project Manager Lee Cryer has spent more than two decades advancing long-range transit planning at RTD. Part of his job includes coordinating RTD’s Bike-n-Ride program. This program plays a key role in the agency’s efforts to embrace bike-friendly transit options for cyclists.
“We are here to support biking today, but it’s something we prioritize year-round,” Cryer said. “RTD was one of the first transit agencies in the country to put bike racks on the front of buses, and we have continued building that foundation ever since.”
Today, all RTD buses, except for the 16th Street FreeRide buses, are equipped with bike racks, and bikes can be placed in the luggage bins on Flatiron Flyer, Regional and SkyRide buses. Bikes are also allowed on both light rail and commuter rail. RTD offers secure bike lockers, racks at most stations and Park-n-Rides, and has recently been experimenting with on-demand electronic bike lockers at select locations.
“Commuter rail is especially convenient for cyclists,” Cryer said. “You can just roll your bike straight on with no stairs or racks to deal with.
“We’ve also expanded bike access on light rail cars by allowing more areas for people to stand or sit with their bikes, not just the front or back of the car like before,” Cryer said.
The Bike-n-Ride program also collaborates with local agencies to install covered bike shelters across the region, including in Boulder County and along US-36.
“We work with cities and transportation management organizations to help more people bike to transit,” Cryer said. “The goal is to make it easier for people to get to and from our services, whether by biking, walking or driving.”
| | RTD staff, parade bus participate in the 2025 Vizzy Denver Pride parade | | |
At RTD, we ride with pride! A cohort of RTD team members, Board members and family members marched from Cheeseman Park to downtown Denver Sunday, June 29 in the Vizzy Denver Pride Parade. RTD was one of nearly 250 organizations and 13,000 marchers who joined the celebration this year. Many departments across the agency were represented by marchers, including Communications and Engagement, Bus Operations, Legal Counsel, Civil Rights and Transit Police.
RTD’s “PrideRide” bus showcased its rainbow of colors alongside team members who danced to pop hits. This year, the parade moved two blocks over to 17th Street as the Colfax BRT project continues to transform Colfax Avenue into a thriving multimodal and transit corridor. In addition to pennant flags and signs celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, some RTD participants spun “We Back the Fax” signs as they marched to encourage parade attendees to continue to patronize Colfax businesses, and the Route 15, during construction.
During the entire one-mile parade route, spectators cheered for RTD, with many chanting “R-T-D, R-T-D,” while others professed their love for routes and rail lines. RTD’s presence reminded all attendees that they are welcome and accepted on RTD’s network of buses and trains.
“The energy coming from the crowd was electric,” Community Engagement Manager Brandon Figliolino said. “It was evident that people were thrilled to see RTD demonstrating its values of diversity and respect by attending the parade.”
RTD’s Communications and Engagement Department continues to develop public programming aimed at fostering customer and community connections. Team members interested in joining future activities, including parades, should look for future opportunities advertised in Inside Connections.
Click the link below to see more photos from the parade.
| | 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. | | Information specialist treats customer with respect, kindness during interaction | |
Your agent, Barbara Simmons, was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, kind, and patient, and provided me with tremendous help; she deserves recognition for her efforts. Barbara understands how to treat her customers well.
> Read more <
| | Street supervisor helps customer recover items left on 16th Street Freeride bus | |
When I discovered I had left my laptop bag on the 16th Street shuttle and realized my car and house keys and security badge were in it, Crystal Baca immediately made the necessary calls to track down the bus and driver.
> Read more <
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July’s Operator of the Month is Getachew Jiru from East Metro. Jiru was selected for going out of his way to provide exceptional customer service. On top of being friendly and welcoming to all his customers, he went out of his way to help a customer identify which bus they needed to board by showing them how to use Trip Planner and NextRide so they can get on the correct route. Jiru was also chosen for his dedication to safety, making sure to be easy on the brakes and accelerator, stopping at all railroad crossings and waiting until his customers are safely seated or standing holding the handrails before moving away from a stop. |
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Zach Marshall
LRT Controller (formerly LRT Field Supervisor)
Jacob Tonda
LRT Controller (formerly LRT Field Supervisor)
Ryne Sepper
LRT Controller (formerly Train Operator)
Peter Washington
Senior Front End Developer (formerly Front End Developer)
Mark Ringleman
Assistant Manager, Maintenance Operating Division (formerly Supervisor, Equipment Maintenance)
William Platt
Supervisor, Drug and Alcohol Compliance (formerly Street Supervisor)
Any employees interested in similar opportunities in the future should visit RTD's Careers page.
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Best Dressed Operator of the Week - Week of June 30 | Bus Transportation is proud to recognize operator and non-revenue instructor Fernando Ruiz-Ramirez as the best-dressed bus operator of the week! Thanks to Fernando for staying in compliance with dress code standards and dressing sharp. |
| Competitor registration for the 2025 Bus Roadeo is now open | |
To quote the legendary combat sports ring announcer Bruce Buffer, “It’s TIME!”
Bus operators, mechanics and service workers: competitor registration is now open for the 2025 Bus Roadeo on Sept. 13.
Click the link below, then print and fill out the appropriate registration form and return it to the designated contact by the due date listed on the form. Paper copies available upon request.
| | Dialogue with Debra returns to Elati July 17 | |
Join RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson and members of RTD’s Leadership Team for a dialogue 10 a.m. July 17 on the maintenance floor at Elati. Employees at Elati are invited to attend the hourlong session in person. For those who cannot make it in person, the session will be streamed live via Zoom.
To ensure questions can be fully addressed during the event, employees are invited to submit them in advance by filling out the form linked below by July 15. Questions can also be asked by raising a hand in the room during the Q&A period. For Zoom links and more information, visit the Dialogue with Debra page on the Hub.
| | Donate school supplies for children in need with RTD Gives | | | | RTD is bringing back its RTD Gives campaign, partnering with A Precious Child to collect and distribute school supplies to students across the metro area. The supplies collected will go directly to children experiencing poverty, helping them walk into the classroom with confidence and dignity. | | |
From now through Friday, July 26, drop off new backpacks, notebooks, pencils, markers and other classroom essentials in collection bins at all RTD divisions and sales outlets. Prefer to give online? A donation page has been set up here.
Community Engagement invites RTD employees to volunteer at the following opportunities:
Community Day at Union Station
- Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Represent RTD, collect donations and connect with Fan Expo attendees
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Sign up for Community Day here
Employee Donation Sorting Event
- Wednesday, July 30, from 9:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
- Sort donations into categories to prepare for their distribution
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Sign up for donation sorting here
For more information, visit the Hub or contact Taylor Curtis, Youth Engagement Specialist, at taylor.curtis@rtd-denver.com.
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| Registration remains open for the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Auto and Bike Show | |
The 2025 Bus Roadeo is right around the corner, and plenty of spots remain available for both the annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and Auto and Bike Show. Enter the basketball tournament with fellow colleagues and duke it out on the court against other RTD employees for a chance to lift this year’s trophy. In addition, employees are encouraged to showcase their cars and motorcycles at the Auto and Bike Show, where attendees will vote on their favorite rides. Trophies will be awarded to the best car and bike at the event.
Register today by clicking the link below.
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| Participate in the Lego design contest at the Light Rail Rodeo | |
Have a passion for building amazing creations out of Legos? Now is the time to put those building skills to the test. New at the 2025 Light Rail Rodeo is the Lego Car Show. Get creative and build a car, train, motorcycle, construction vehicle or even a brand-new vehicle that nobody has created before!
Send entries to Lisa Merrifield at lisa.merrifield@rtd-denver.com or Erika Lane at erika.lane@rtd-denver.com by Aug. 8 to enter! After registering your entry, bring it with you to the Light Rail Rodeo by 8:30 a.m. Aug. 16, where attendees will get to vote on their favorite builds, with the winner receiving a Lego trophy for their hard work!
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Wellbeing Connection: Ultraviolet protection matters | |
Sunny summer days are here, and with July recognized as Ultraviolet (UV) Protection Month, it’s the perfect time to be reminded of how important it is to shield both skin and eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sun glare contributes to over 9,000 vehicle crashes annually. Polarized sunglasses are a must for reducing glare and protecting one’s vision behind the wheel. While windshields block a significant amount of UV radiation, most side windows on vehicles only filter out about 50% of the sun’s harmful rays.
For RTD employees who spend much of their workday outdoors, such as those in Maintenance of Way (MOW), landscaping or bus and rail operators, taking extra precautions is essential. Wear UV-protective clothing, reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes to stay safe and stay hydrated.
Need guidance on choosing the right sunscreen? The American Academy of Dermatology has employees covered. Also, explore more skin protection tips and valuable resources tailored for RTD employees via the Employee Wellness & Rehabilitation Program document portal on the Hub.
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| From Benefits and Wellbeing: Registration for the Nourish challenge is now open | | | | The Nourish challenge is designed to promote healthy living by letting participants choose the wellness activities that are most meaningful and motivating to them. All employees and household members ages 18 and older are welcome to participate. |
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Employee participants can win wellness prizes that include:
- Weekly drawings for a percussion massager
- Final drawing for one of five (5) $100 Whole Foods gift cards
Registration is now open through July 20. The challenge begins July 14 and ends Aug. 10.
Join RTD and Nourish and take small steps toward a healthier, more nourished you. Click here for a video outlining what to expect during the challenge, and click the link below to register.
| | Hit the links in the 2025 Evergreen Golf Tournament | | | | Time is running out to enter the 2025 Evergreen Golf Tournament, an employee-led golf tournament held every year at the Evergreen Golf Course. This year’s event is Saturday, July 26 with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start. Individual registration is $110 per person and teams of four cost $440 per team. Entry price includes lunch, a $20 gift card from the PGA Tour Superstore, an entry into the prize raffle and a swag bag. | | Registration and payment are due by July 18. Click on the links below to register online or via a paper form. Send a check to Gene Byron with mail code Treasury via inter-office mail, or email him (gene.byron@rtd-denver.com) to make other payment arrangements. Please note this is not an RTD-sponsored event. | | Reminder: Volunteers needed to participate in light rail emergency exercise as actors | | | | Volunteers are still needed to participate as actors on July 26 for an emergency exercise on the R Line. This event is designed to test RTD's ability to respond to an equipment failure while the train is operating through the system. No on-track safety training is required, and this opportunity is open to all RTD colleagues! | | There is no time commitment required in advance of the exercise, and volunteers will be briefed day of on everything they need to know. Register by July 18 to participate. Click the link below to register. Please direct questions to Emergency Management Manager Diana Rawles (diana.rawles@rtd-denver.com). | | Non-represented employee performance assessments open July 7 | |
The year-end 2024-25 performance assessment process will launch on July 7 with employee self-evaluations for non-represented employees. Self-evaluations must be submitted no later than July 18 via Workday. Upon completion of the self-evaluation process, employees will then coordinate with their managers or direct supervisors to review employee performance over the past year. The performance assessment window closes Aug. 31.
Please email Human Resources at rtdperformance@rtd-denver.com with any questions.
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A clarification: An item in last week’s edition of Inside Connections should have said that revised business templates for all employees are available in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Internal Communications team regrets the error and appreciates this clarification from the Civil Rights Division. |
| 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 | |
“Freedom is never given; it is won."
— A. Philip Randolph
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