RTD Board of Directors authorizes successor contract for two-thirds of agency's workforce | The successor three-year collective bargaining agreement, approved last night, raises wages 16.3% over the term of the contract, starting with a 6.5% increase in the first year and 4.5% in each of the next two years. The hourly wage increases within the successor agreement are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and extend through Dec. 31, 2027. | | Greg Smith selected as Deputy COO of Bus Operations | Smith most recently served as Acting Assistant General Manager of Bus Operations. Throughout his tenure with the agency, he has served as a trusted, respected and passionate leader, dedicated to public service. | Click the link below to read a memo from General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson regarding Smith’s promotion. | | Civic Center Station to be renamed after disability rights advocate | The Board's decision, made yesterday, is the culmination of a yearlong process initiated under RTD's Honorary Property and Station Naming Policy, adopted in July 2024. The process encouraged community members to propose honorary names for RTD stations and properties based on historical contributions, public support and alignment with the agency's mission. | | In honor of National Intern Day, meet three intern colleagues | | |
July 31 is National Intern Day, a day to recognize interns across the United States and their dedication to education and desire to change the world. Interns are an integral part of RTD, where they have ample opportunities to build their skills through real-world application in their fields while bringing fresh perspectives that shape how the agency moves forward to better serve its customers.
Meet interns Julia Dambekaln, Mia Pyszniak and Ryan Goodale, and learn about how their work at RTD has set them up for success in the future.
| | Julia Dambekaln, Communications Intern | | |
Mia Pyszniak, Human Resources Intern
| | Ryan Goodale, Transit-Oriented Communities Intern | | Gerry Suazo, IT Service Management Delivery Manager, 15 years | | |
| “I started as a contractor thinking I was going to be here for about 6 months on the service desk team. There was a job opening and I really liked the people I was working with, and I really do support public transit. Fifteen years later, I’m still here." | | |
At last night's meeting, the Board of Directors approved a new successor collective bargaining agreement between RTD and the Amalgamated Transit Union 1001. Additionally, the Board unanimously approved the renaming of Civic Center Station to Wade Blank Civic Center Station, in honor of the late Rev. Wade Blank. In addition, after lengthy discussion, the Board amended and then voted to return modifications to the Access-on-Demand program back to the Operations, Safety and Security Committee for further evaluation and debate. The item will be up for vote again at the September Board of Directors meeting.
The Board approved its unanimous consent agenda, which included actions related to the following: 2026 Comprehensive Operations Analysis, Bus Stop Infrastructure and Accessibility Assessment, bus hoists replacements at the East Metro garage, expansion to eight bays of the bus boarding platform at US 36·Sheridan Station, and consulting services for a facility alternatives analysis and environmental planning study for a new bus operations facility. Also approved with the consent agenda were the August 2025 Title VI service equity analysis and service changes, as well as the appointment of Director Patrick O’Keefe to the Operations, Safety and Security Committee. Finally, the Board took action to approve the GM/CEO’s short-term goals for 2026, fulfilling its goal of doing so prior to approval of the agency’s budget.
As a reminder, the next Board of Directors meeting will be Sept. 30. There is no scheduled Board meeting in August.
Click the thumbnail above to view a recording of last night’s session.
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| 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 prevents severe accident with reckless driver | |
The operator of my Route LD1 northbound bus expertly prevented us from getting in a nasty accident with a speeding lane cutter. Just before the Sheridan exit, our driver, Crystal Porter, was driving at normal speed in the HOV lane when this green SUV came barreling though traffic and aggressively cut across multiple lanes, squeezing between a white SUV (which was in the far left free lane) and our bus (which was in the HOV lane) by mere centimeters while still snaking across the solid white HOV lane line.
> Read more <
| | Light rail operator successfully de-escalates situation on train | |
I wanted to call in and give a commendation to the driver of my H Line, Kline Price. There were a couple of people in the car behind us screaming and threatening violence on each other. His response was immediate and extraordinarily professional. I was just so impressed. He did a phenomenal job.
> Read more <
| | RTD celebrates latest class of bus operators at July's OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony | | |
On Friday, 22 bus operators graduated from training in the atrium of RTD’s headquarters. The agency’s newest colleagues were cheered on by their families, friends and RTD staff as they received their certificates. After the ceremony, graduates enjoyed a reception in the T&D Conference Room, where they celebrated their accomplishment with family and friends.
Missed the ceremony? Click the link below to view the recording on YouTube.
| | Dozens turn out for agency's first Storytime on the Train | | |
On July 23, some of RTD’s youngest customers enjoyed a morning filled with stories, songs and smiles during the agency’s first Storytime on the Train event. Hosted onboard the L Line, the event welcomed 27 children and caregivers for an interactive literacy experience, transforming a routine ride into a joyful, story-filled adventure.
Through read-alouds, singalongs and thoughtful questions from curious young minds, the event provided a fun and meaningful way for families to connect with public transit.
This special experience was made possible through collaboration across departments, including Light Rail Operations, Transit Police, and Communications and Engagement. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event such a success for customers of all ages.
Click the thumbnail below to view a recap video of the event.
| | RTD, Aurora emergency services, local authorities team up for emergency preparedness drill along R Line | | |
On Saturday, RTD, in cooperation with law enforcement authorities and first responders in Aurora, simulated a full-scale emergency exercise involving a stalled light rail train on the flyover bridge that crosses over Peoria Street. Several RTD employees served as actors during the exercise, allowing first responders to practice evacuating a stranded train and rendering aid to “injured” customers.
Be sure to read next week’s edition of Inside Connections for more photos and a full recap of the exercise.
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Jan Cooper
Bus Operator
Dante Craig
Bus Operator
Carlos Figueroa-Blandin
Bus Operator
Kurt Miller
Bus Operator
Biniam Nigussie*
Bus Operator
Mesfin Seleshi
Bus Operator
Jesus Silva
Bus Operator
Thomas Spahn
Bus Operator
Spencer Steers
Bus Operator
Tabitha Tapia
Bus Operator
Amanuel Bullo
Bus Operator
Melvin Calderon Barrientos
Bus Operator
Nigatu Delebato
Bus Operator
Hienok Gebreyes
Bus Operator
Tanner Thompson
Bus Operator
Crystal Connell
Train Operator
Ashton Culler*
Train Operator
Jeanette Davis
Train Operator
Dean Grillo
Train Operator
Grant Mitchell
Train Operator
Osric Patton
Train Operator
Brock Pitzer
Train Operator
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Calder Rosenthal
Train Operator
Kyle Strasser
Train Operator
Samjana Prasai
Service Person
John Kraft
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
John Rocha
Facilities Maintenance Mechanic
Josiah Graham
Support Vehicle Mechanic
Xavier Barnslater
Service Worker
Gage Frailey
Service Worker
Nicole Armas
Service Worker
Julian Hernandez
Rail Laborer
Sara Bohar
Fixed Routes Services Manager
Cherie Lucus
Senior Specialist, Benefits
Anna-Marie Cuney
Transit Police Officer
Lucas Castro
Transit Police Officer
Deepak Puri
Transit Police Officer
Joseph Robinson
Transit Police Officer
Misty Terrero-Gonzalez
Transit Police Cadet – Intern
Amelia Iraheta
Emergency Management Specialist
Natalie Cohen
Emergency Management Specialist
Tonya Smith
Station Starter
Kelsey Miller
Production and Traffic Coordinator
Boris Tubic
Business Employment Coordinator
(*) denotes rehire
| | Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Dante Craig | Bus Transportation congratulates operator trainee Dante Craig for being this week’s best-dressed operator. Looking good is easy, even when in training! | | From Facilities Maintenance: Use FM Downtown email addresses for an efficient response | | Do you have a question or concern to share with Facilities Maintenance (FM) that pertains to an RTD location in downtown Denver? Perhaps seating arrangements are needed, or a late meeting requires running the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system longer than planned? FM has created distinct email addresses for RTD’s Blake Street, Civic Center and Denver Union Station facilities for precisely this purpose, enabling colleagues assigned to these spaces to more efficiently track and coordinate a response. | |
This approach, said Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Clarence Pauls, “helps us stay on track and informed, and keeps issues from slipping through the cracks.” In addition, employees don’t have to remember names and email addresses for specific individuals. Any needs that are best managed by another group will be referred as appropriate.
Please use the following emails for FM Downtown needs:
Blake Street – FMDowntownBlake@groups.rtd-denver.com
Civic Center – FMDowntownCivic@groups.rtd-denver.com
Denver Union Station – FMDowntownDUS@groups.rtd-denver.com
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Deepfakes: a new challenge for the digital world | Deepfakes are deceptively real forgeries of audio, image or video material created with the help of artificial intelligence. The term is a combination of the terms “deep learning” and “fake.” Deep learning can be used to manipulate existing recordings of people or create completely new content. This results in highly realistic fake videos in which people say or do things that they never actually said or did. |
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Volunteers wanted for Impact Team supporting upcoming rail disruption | |
Volunteers are being sought for an Impact Team to assist customers during the upcoming D Line service disruption Aug. 12-14. The team will deploy to Littleton•Mineral, Littleton•Downtown and Englewood stations, where representatives will help with wayfinding, identifying shuttle buses and providing service to customers impacted by the work.
Click here to sign up, and contact Business Program Manager Betsy Hinojosa (betsy.hinojosa@rtd-denver.com) with questions.
| | 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 | |
“When in doubt, throw doubt out and have a little faith.”
– E.A. Bucchianeri
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