Jimmy Vigil named Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance, Chief Safety Officer | | | | |
General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson announced the appointment in a memo sent Monday to all employees. Vigil assumed the role Sunday.
Vigil, who had been serving in an acting capacity since April, will oversee all aspects of safety and environmental compliance across the agency, ensuring RTD adheres to federal and state regulations and maintains a safe and secure working environment. He will also lead RTD’s safety programs, conduct comprehensive safety and environmental audits, and coordinate closely with regulatory partners.
| | RTD receives rating affirmations from Fitch, S&P | |
Recent ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings affirm RTD’s financial strength with stable outlooks and underlying rating (SPUR) on certificates of participation (COPs) outstanding.
On July 23, Fitch Ratings reported that RTD maintained its AA+ rating on RTD’s FasTracks revenue bonds and AA on COPs with stable outlooks across all categories. Fitch also affirmed RTD’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) and outstanding sales tax revenue bonds at AA+. The rating is based on a dedicated tax and revenue bond analysis and is capped at the IDR.
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Bus operator's quick actions help save trapped man | Hanafi Ahmed had just finished operating Route 38 on Saturday, June 14, when, while walking near the gate of RTD’s bus operations facility, he heard someone calling for help. It was about 9:30 p.m. when Ahmed began searching for the source of the call. While at first he didn’t see anything, as he continued following the sound, he discovered a man trapped in a trench. |
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At last night’s meeting, the Board of Directors swore in new District J Director Joyce Downing, who now represents the cities of Westminster, Federal Heights, Northglenn, and Thornton. The Board also recognized the service of Director Vince Buzek, who represented the district for nearly eight years before resigning earlier this month.
The Board approved the consent agenda, which included a bond funding resolution authorizing the refunding of all or a portion of several FasTracks sales bonds; the appointment of Chair Patrick O'Keefe to the Salaried Employee Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Salaried Employee Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Trusts; the Title VI Service Equity Analysis for the September 2026 Service Changes; and the associated September 2026 Service Changes.
The Board adopted the 2027 Legislative and Government Relations Program following an amendment directing staff to pursue additional revenue opportunities, including tolls and stadium event fees. Following discussion, the Board also directed staff to develop the proposed 2027 budget using a service reduction scenario that achieves approximately $20 million in savings. The Board further approved an amendment to the High-Volume Event Service Pilot, authorizing up to $1 million to continue planning with the Denver Broncos organization and regional partners to implement the pilot for the 2027-2028 season.
The Board approved funding of up to $12 million for the FasTracks Internal Savings Account to support design efforts for a potential N Line extension, approved a limited waiver of sovereign immunity for claims arising from the operation of the N Line, and ratified Downing's appointment to the Operations, Safety, and Security Committee.
The Board did not approve a proposal directing staff to include an additional $8 million to $12 million in fare revenue from a potential fare increase, if feasible, with the May/June 2027 service changes. The proposal failed on a 6-9 vote.
As a reminder, there will be no regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting in August. The next monthly Board meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.
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This week, crews in the Downtown Loop Midblocks section prepared for the placement of track slab concrete between 15th and 16th streets, while continuing drainage inlet construction and drainage improvements between 16th and 17th streets. Between 17th and 18th streets, crews began installation of the underground rail utility system, while continuing subgrade preparation between 18th and 19th streets.
Along the Colfax Avenue Alignment section, crews welded, ground, and prepared rail sections for installation, and advanced drainage improvements between Seventh and Ninth streets, while continuing drainage and rail system utility work, installing conduits and compacting subgrade between Ninth and Kalamath streets.
| | 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 specialists help customer find lost wallet | I would like to give a shout-out to information specialists Valerio Recinos-Interiano and Tahjeau Evans for helping me track down my wallet. Both agents did a great job of helping me retrieve my item. | | Bus operator gets customers to airport safely | Our Route AB1 operator, Chris Whiteside, did a great job getting us to the airport on AB1 today. He was very helpful and friendly. | | New Board member sworn in at yesterday's meeting | | |
At last night’s monthly Board of Directors meeting, the Board welcomed its newest member, Joyce Downing. She succeeds District J Director Vince Buzek, who retired from the Board effective July 17.
Downing has served as the mayor and a city council member for Northglenn, with a career in public service spanning over three decades. As the director for District J, she represents the cities of Westminster, Thornton, Northglenn, and Federal Heights.
RTD directors are typically elected by voters in general elections. However, if a director resigns before completing a term, the vacancy is filled by appointment by the commissioners of the county wherein the largest number of eligible electors of the director district reside. The Adams County Board of Commissioners appointed Downing during its July 21 public hearing. She will serve through the end of 2026, when voters will elect a new District J representative.
| | Service and Cleaning celebrates significant OJI milestone | | |
Earlier this week, Light Rail Operations’ Service and Cleaning team achieved 100 days without a single on-the-job injury (OJI)! Well done to staff for prioritizing safety in this dynamic environment.
In the first image, from left to right, service workers Joshua Wall, Vincent Ulibarri, and Leonel Tapia stand in front of the official tracker to celebrate the achievement. Pictured in the second photo, from left to right and starting with the front row, are service workers Rosie Todorov, Elbert Sheets, Jovan Hockaday, and Ishfaq Bhatti; and in the back row are service workers Alfredo Mulato, Dennis Wagumba, Parnell Hollie, and Jeremy Andrews. These colleagues ensure that every light rail train leaves the Elati yard clean and comfortable for the agency’s customers, and they played a part in helping achieve this impressive milestone.
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James Burho
Business Analyst, Physical Assets
Ryan Keeney
Transportation Planner I
Ansar Abdo
Bus Operator
Alejandro Aldava Gonzalez
Bus Operator
Danielle Diallo
Bus Operator
Igor Sossou Somasse
Bus Operator
Jean-Claude Tembeni
Bus Operator
Desalegin Yehune
Bus Operator
Daniel Embaye
Bus Operator
Max Berry
Bus Operator
Getieneh Alene
Custodian/Public Facilities Maintenance
Eduardo Rosales Ramirez
Custodian/Public Facilities Maintenance
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Shane Boardman
Train Operator
Scot Boylan
Train Operator
Elle Cooper
Train Operator
Zachary Crihfield
Train Operator
Dedeep raj Dasari
Train Operator
Miguel Flores
Train Operator
Abdiel Gooding
Train Operator
Theodore Hand
Train Operator
Holly Heyer
Train Operator
DAhmonie Ward
Train Operator
Patrick Montogomery
Train Operator
Kosol Kiatreungwattana
Mechanical Engineer, Infrastructure
| | Operations colleagues: View a message from the Acting COO | | | | |
Last week, Dave Jensen recorded a video message for all Operations Department employees. In it, he noted that he will be at the agency’s operating divisions over the next 30 days and wants to hear from you.
Click the link below to watch the video.
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| The agency’s next all-hands forum will take place at 10 a.m. next Thursday, Aug. 6, on the maintenance floor at Elati Division. Colleagues at that facility are welcome to attend the session in person. All other employees can tune in via Zoom. Questions will be accepted through Friday via a form published on the Dialogue with Debra Hub page, linked below. | | At 2 p.m. tomorrow on Microsoft Teams, join Manager, Paratransit (O&M) Gretchen Vidergar, Principle, Eligibility & Travel Training Contract Oversight (Paratransit) Stephanie Barnard, and Contracting Officer (Paratransit) Shanese Colon to learn about all things paratransit. Click the link below to register for the session. | | |
Non-revenue vehicle authorization, training due Aug. 31 | |
All employees who intend to use any of RTD’s non-revenue vehicles (NRV), including pool cars, must complete the training and submit the Annual NRV and Personal Vehicle Use Authorization form.
Employees who have previously completed the training do not need to retake it. The training can be found by navigating to the Hub, hovering over the “Tools & Resources” tab, and clicking the Non-Revenue Vehicle (NRV) link.
All staff must submit a new authorization form by the deadline. Click the link below or search “Non-Revenue Vehicle” on the Hub to fill out and submit the form.
Please contact the DOT Compliance team at 303.299.2717 with questions.
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| Training and Development provides details about new offerings at CTU, FRCC | | |
Training and Development is proud to offer a webinar and courses from Colorado Technical University (CTU) and Front Range Community College (FRCC) to employees looking to continue their education, as well as details about a new degree program focusing on applied artificial intelligence in business, both of which can be paid for using Professional Development Program (PDP) funds.
Colorado Technical University has introduced a new Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Applied Artificial Intelligence in Business, exploring how AI concepts intersect with business strategy, operations, analytics, innovation, and decision-making. The course is available online and in person at CTU’s Colorado Springs campus.
Get a sneak preview of this course with a free CTU webinar titled “Humility in Leadership & the Future of AI: Real or AI? Cultivating Discernment in Corporate Communication,” available to RTD employees. The webinar, taking place at noon tomorrow, explores how professionals can distinguish between AI-generated and authentic human communication. Topics include ethical AI use, workplace communication, building trust, and applying discernment when evaluating AI-generated content. Click here to sign up for the webinar.
Front Range Community College is offering English as a Second Language (ESL) courses designed to help students develop practical English language skills for professional, daily, and academic settings. The courses begin Aug. 10 and 11 at the FRCC campuses in Fort Collins, Westminster, and Longmont.
Click the links below to learn more about these offerings.
| | Ro(a)deo Round-Up: Week of July 27 | Volunteer opportunities remain available for the 2026 Light Rail Rodeo | The 2026 Light Rail Rodeo is 10 days away, and volunteers are still needed to help make it a memorable event! Positions available include judges for the Lego boxcar races, basketball challenge, Rubber Chicken Challenge, and cleanup duties. Please reach out to Business Support II Terri Decker (terri.decker@rtd-denver.com) to sign up for a position. All employees and their families are invited to the event, taking place 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 8 on the maintenance floor at Elati Division. |
| Empower Retirement to visit 711 building Aug. 5 | | | | Empower Retirement’s RTD plan advisor, Clayton Faber, will be at the 711 building 9 a.m.-4 p.m. next Wednesday to offer employees practical financial guidance. Those who cannot attend are encouraged to schedule a no-cost virtual consultation with Faber by clicking the link below. | | 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 | |
“We are way more powerful when we turn to each other and not on each other, when we celebrate our diversity… and together tear down the mighty walls of injustice.”
— Cynthia McKinney
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