Juneteenth 2025 – A Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future | | |
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.
As we approach Juneteenth 2025, the theme “A Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future” encourages us to reflect on the journey toward freedom and justice for Black Americans. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865, marking the end of slavery in the United States. This observance honors the resilience, contributions and ongoing fight for justice, equity and liberation within Black communities. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come while acknowledging the work still needed to achieve true freedom for all.
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This morning, RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson announced that the 2025 Employee Survey results are now available for all employees to view. Key findings include:
- 25% increase over two years in the percentage of employees who feel they are safe from crime while at work
- 84% of employees said they plan to be working for RTD one year from now
- Year over year, 10 areas surveyed showed 15% gains over two years
Click the links below to view a slide deck containing the full results from this year's survey, as well as a memo from Johnson summarizing the data.
| | Walk with us: RTD employees to join the Denver Pride Parade | RTD will again participate in the Denver Vizzy Pride Parade on June 29 at Cheesman Park to celebrate Denver’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community. All employees are invited and encouraged to walk together, representing the agency’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and belonging. | | RTD leads U.S. commuter rail ridership recovery from pre-pandemic levels | RTD led the nation in recovery of commuter rail ridership following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recently completed report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. | | Sam Maertins, Bus Operator, Non-Revenue Instructor (10 years) | | | | “Aug. 9 is my anniversary date when I got out of training and started probation. I have loved what I’ve done. I came into this job thinking it was a job, and it became my career. It’s the place I call home away from home." | | 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 handles situation with customer with professionalism | |
I wanted to commend Samuel Ladd for his excellent handling of a situation involving a disgruntled rider. The rider accused him of damaging his bike by yelling and swearing at him to not touch his bike. I believe the bike was not harmed and that the driver was only ensuring that the bike was safely attached to the bike rack.
> Read more <
| | Bus operator ensures return of customer's phone | |
I would like to thank the driver of Route 45, Andinet Lefebo, for finding my phone and making it available for me to meet the bus at 40th Ave & Airport Blvd•Gateway Park Station. I had gotten off the bus at Tulsa Court and Albrook Drive and left it behind. My life would've been in pieces if I hadn't gotten it back. Thank you.
> Read more <
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Doug MacLeod
Chief Financial Officer (15 years)
Jill Fontaine
Lead Dispatcher (20 years)
| | Bus Transportation is proud to recognize operator Roxie Williams from East Metro as the best-dressed bus operator of the week! Thanks to Roxie for adhering to dress code standards and looking sharp while doing it. | | | | |
RTD mourns the loss of longtime RTD employee Jim Smith, who died June 11. He began his career at RTD in 1985 and most recently served as Senior Manager of the Treasury Division.
“He was a hardworking and respected colleague, deeply connected to his family, and a true friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him,” Chief People Officer Charlene Polege said in a memo about Smith’s passing sent to all employees June 12.
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| If you would like to speak with someone about this loss, call RTD’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1.877.237.3954. Employees on the Finance team are also invited to contact Kelly Mackey at 303.299.3036, or Lynn Bereznyak at 720.984.0651. All affected employees are encouraged to reach out to their supervisor, mentor or another member of management to receive assistance. | | |
Help RTD continue to enhance community engagement | Over the past five months, RTD’s Community Engagement team implemented new strategies to create positive experiences for employees during outreach activities. Employees who joined Community Engagement at a parade, public meeting or community celebration, or are interested in joining a future activity, are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete a survey about their experiences. The Community Engagement team aims to use the results to determine which strategies were most effective in providing a positive volunteering experience. The survey closes June 25. |
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From Cybersecurity: Do your part to stop cybersecurity threats | Any RTD employee can play a vital role in protecting the agency from digital threats by taking swift action and reporting suspicious messages. With the help of the Phish Alert button (PAB), employees can easily flag potentially malicious emails, giving RTD’s Information Technology team the information needed to defend against cyberattacks and safeguard agency systems. Read along to learn what to report, as well as how to report suspicious emails on old and new versions of Outlook, including mobile applications. |
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Join DRCOG and RTD for a Bike to Work Day group ride | | | | Join the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)’s Way to Go team in downtown Denver for a group ride to The Empourium Brewing Company on June 20 in preparation for Bike to Work Day on June 25. Participants will meet at 4:30 p.m. at the REI flagship store at 15th and Platte streets and depart for the brewery at 4:45 p.m. The route to Empourium is just over four miles of relatively flat terrain. | | |
This ride is intended to facilitate networking with local transportation professionals, including DRCOG team members, RTD, Transportation Management Associations, the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. All RTD employees are welcome to attend.
Employees who would like to participate in this group ride must fill out the form linked below. A preview of the route is also linked below.
| | Friday's OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony will be streamed | |
Nineteen bus operators, nine light rail operators and three N Line conductors are expected to graduate at June’s OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony on Friday! The ceremony will begin at noon in the atrium inside RTD’s 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 bus and rail colleagues. For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be livestreamed via the link below.
| | Learn about independent cost estimates in training next week | |
Join Contract Manager Brenda Leo as she breaks down independent cost estimates (ICEs) and how they apply to public procurement at special training sessions June 24 and 25. Times and locations are below; RSVPs are required to attend all sessions.
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June 24: 2:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza
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June 25: 2 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
Click the link below to RSVP and reach out to Leo (brenda.leo@rtd-denver.com) with any 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 I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
– Audre Lorde
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