Inside Connections - November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

To our veteran colleagues: Thank you for your service

On Monday, RTD joined many American organizations and civilians recognizing Veterans Day. RTD honors the contributions of the 18 million living veterans in the United States, representing about 6% of the country’s adult population. RTD appreciates the discipline, leadership and teamwork they bring to their work across the agency, benefiting their colleagues and the communities they serve. Click the thumbnail above to watch a special video highlighting three RTD employees who have served in the military.

Proposed budget in 2025 aligns resources with strategic plan

Yesterday, the Finance and Planning Committee of the Board of Directors reviewed staff’s proposed $1.2 billion budget in 2025, which will result in increased levels of service, continue the agency’s hiring efforts for key frontline positions and sustain preventative maintenance projects that launched in 2024. A comprehensive breakdown of the agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget, which starts Jan. 1 and aligns with the calendar year, is available at the link below. The full Board will consider the budget at its Dec. 3 meeting.

Proposed 2025 Budget

RTD has announced that it is seeking applicants for a Chief Operations Officer position. Click the link below to learn more about the role and to apply.

Learn more

Welcome to RTD's newest employees!

Twenty-three new employees joined the agency at Monday’s orientation. Welcome aboard! We are happy that you are here.

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.

FlexRide operator goes out of way to pick up customer

My pickup location was difficult to find, but FlexRide operator James Fitch took his time finding me today. He went above and beyond to find me. I really appreciated it.

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Distribution clerk ensures customer's lost items are returned

Your employee, Jordan Almanza-Bowyer, went out of his way to help me out. My stuff was at Lost and Found and I was unable to carry it all.

> Read more <

5 years

Gretchen Vidergar

Acting Manager, Paratransit Services

Ikegus Hobbs-Dorsett

Bus Operator

Creighton Smith

Bus Operator

Joshua Jarvis-Peters

General Repair Mechanic

Cyndi Avants

Train Operator

Jeffry Carlson

Train Operator

Nate Garcia

Train Operator

Fikru Goshu

Train Operator

David Kim

Train Operator

Clint Kutzler

Train Operator

Zach Marshall

LRT Field Supervisor

Solomon Perez

Electronic Technician, Revenue Systems

Tinika Roberts

Train Operator

Nustapha Taha

Conductor, Commuter Rail

Kacey Kellogg

Signa/Traction Power Maintainer

Tiara Riley

Bus Operator

Hung Tran

Bus Operator

August Trujillo

Supervisor, LRV Maintenance

10 years

Tamara Dearing

Bus Operator

Sparkle Johnson

Bus Operator

Jeffrey Sadler

LRT Division Supervisor

Temesgen Tasew

Bus Operator

Brent Dowler

Service Worker

Flo Geiser

Bus Operator

Evan Marks

MOW Equipment Operator/Track Maintainer

Manuel Franco

Service Worker

15 years

Fernando Dal Moro

Network Engineering Supervisor

Elmer McGee

Undercover Ride Monitor

Mary Harrison

Lead Division Supervisor, Bus Transportation

20 years

Peter Bell

Custodian/Public Facilities Maintenance

Michael Powell

Sales/Information Representative

25 years

Sou Tork

Electro Mechanic LRV

Terry Smith

Service Person, East Metro

Amerie Gagliardi

Manager of Customer Sales Center

Donna White

Bus Operator

David Mobley

Bus Operator

Ricardo Lobato

Bus Operator

Maria Rojas

Service Person

Myya Bonner

Assistant Manager, Maintenance Operating Division

Samir Siyam

General Repair Certified Mechanic

Tommy Martinez

Parts Clerk

Alfredo Hernandez

Lead Street Supervisor

Ron Posey

Manager, Facilities Maintenance Operating Facilities

Yelena Rossiytsev

Payroll Analyst

RTD Gives winter clothing donation drive begins Thursday

RTD's donation drive benefiting Broomfield-based nonprofit A Precious Child extends through Dec. 15. Through RTD Gives, employees and customers are being asked to donate new, unused winter clothing items for children and adults. Examples of these in-kind donations are mittens, gloves, scarves, beanies, socks and coats that have not been worn and contain their tags.

A Precious Child partners with 300 agencies to serve those in need living in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson and Weld counties.

Donations will be picked up at each RTD facility the week of Dec. 15.

Have questions about your department and/or facility's donation boxes? Contact Gabriel Martinez, Community Engagement Specialist, at gabriel.martinez@rtd-denver.com.

Read more on the Hub

FAQs on the Hub

Welcome in the holiday season at the 2024 Grand Illumination

Join RTD on Nov. 29 at Union Station's annual Grand Illumination. The event features family-friendly entertainment, including classic holiday hits performed by the Denver Dolls, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the grand highlight of the evening: the lighting of the station’s outdoor 40-foot-tall Christmas tree with more than 7,000 holiday lights. RTD Director Michael Guzman will join local leaders in delivering remarks.

RTD is looking for four team members to pass out candy canes and commemorative holiday ornaments to event attendees, as well as one individual to help coordinate.

Please direct any questions to Manager of Community Engagement Brandon Figliolino, at brandon.figliolino@rtd-denver.com.

RSVP to volunteer

From Cybersecurity: Keep financial accounts out of reach of cybercriminals

Online financial accounts, such as checking, savings and investment accounts, hold more than just money; they represent years of hard work, planning and financial stability. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for opportunities to access victims’ money, and one mistake can lead to significant financial loss. Simply having a password is not enough to keep cybercriminals out.

Salaried employees: Open enrollment ends Monday

A reminder that the annual enrollment period closes Nov. 18. Please visit Workday to make your elections for next year. For questions, contact the Benefits team at benefits@rtd-denver.com.

Learn about retirement planning with Empower

Empower Retirement will host a webinar 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, to share advice about how to begin saving early for retirement, creating and sticking to a budget, starting an emergency fund, improving financial health and ways to set financial goals

Be aware of slips, trips and falls

As temperatures continue to drop and snow begins to accumulate across the metro region, surfaces will become increasingly slick and can lead to slips, trips and falls. Avoid injury to yourself and damage to property this winter by reviewing safety tips, linked below, from the National Safety Council (NSC).

If you notice any slick surfaces, contact Facilities Maintenance. A list of colleagues for each facility can be found below.