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RTD launches high-volume events webpage to share trip-planning resources and solicit feedback | |
RTD is seeking feedback from employees, customers, stakeholders, and the public to support the agency’s development of a plan to enhance its transit services for high-volume events. In addition to an online portal to solicit comments, the new webpage includes an overview of transit stops and stations serving major venues, trip-planning resources for customers, and the agency’s current approach to deploying service that supports high-volume events.
Staff are welcome to identify themselves as an employee when providing ideas and feedback. All comments will be collected through the end of December.
Click the links below to read more about the webpage and to access it.
| | Diversity Spotlight: National American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month: Recognizing indigenous legacies across our transit system | |
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.
Every November, we celebrate National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month — a time to honor the rich histories, cultural traditions, and continuing contributions of the First Peoples of this land.
The 2025 theme, “Weaving Together Our Past, Present, and Future,” reflects on the history of federal Indian boarding schools and their intergenerational trauma, while also highlighting the enduring resilience, sovereignty, and cultural continuity of Indigenous communities today.
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RTD to host North American forum next month addressing drug use on transit | Recognizing that transit systems across North America continue to confront the realities of substance use in public spaces, RTD is convening a two-day forum next month for agency employees, law enforcement professionals, mental health clinicians, and transit industry peers centered on the findings from a first-of-its-kind report on this topic released in August. The event will include a full day of sessions enabling frontline employees to discuss the research and RTD’s response to illicit drug use on its system. |
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Through federal grant award, RTD begins study of Park-n-Rides with development potential | RTD has initiated a study of eight Park-n-Rides in the district that have low parking usage and might better serve the public if converted to other uses, such as affordable housing. The project is being made possible by a $400,000 technical assistance grant the agency received that is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau (BAB). |
| RTD, We Don't Waste expand food access to Commerce City | | RTD and local nonprofit We Don’t Waste are celebrating the successful launch of a new collaboration: a monthly mobile food market at RTD’s Commerce City•72nd Station that expands access to nutritious food and essential resources for residents. On Oct. 28, more than 400 individuals and families attended the first of multiple planned events and were able to select from a variety of fresh produce, lean proteins, and other perishable and nonperishable groceries free of charge. | | Sherri Lee, Platte Division Transportation Manager (40 years) | | | | “I spent 40 years with RTD because this isn't just a job for me. It's been a big part of my life and who I am from the first day I started. I believe in what RTD stands for: connecting people, helping our community move forward, and making a difference every single day. Over the years, I've met so many incredible people: co-workers who became family, passengers whose stories stayed with me, and leaders who inspired me to keep growing. | | “I've seen the city change. Buses change; routes change. But what hasn't changed is the pride I feel in knowing I've played a part in something that truly serves others. RTD has given me purpose, stability, and lifelong friendships. I’ve stayed because I care about the people we serve and the team I work with. Forty years later, I can honestly say I'm proud of the work I've done and the difference we made together.” | | | Week nine recap and project lookahead | |
Last week, crews tamped and surfaced 1,100 linear feet of track, completed six welds and conducted rail-to-earth testing. Over the weekend, crews focused on destressing newly installed rail and began installing restraining rail on the tamped and surfaced tracks.
This week, crews will install flangeway filler and prepare to place paving along the tracks.
| To access the latest project reports, progress updates, photos, videos, news and resources, click the links below. | | 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 makes rides enjoyable for special needs students | This driver is consistently the best! I assist two special needs students (one in a wheelchair) on Laszlo Pados’ route every Tuesday, and he is always courteous and professional, constantly assisting my student with the securement of her wheelchair and asking her for her destination. | | Bus Dispatch applauds operators who assisted with A Line disruption Oct. 20 | A sincere thanks to operators Roberto Guevara, Rachel McCoy, Angelo Martinez, and Richard Dankwa from Bus Dispatch for their assistance with the A Line bus bridge on Oct. 20. We appreciate you! | | RTD celebrates inaugural class of Transit Academy graduates | |
In October, the Community Engagement team launched the Transit Academy, a pilot program designed to enhance employees' knowledge of transit service delivery. Over four sessions, participants learned how to plan a bus route based on community input, toured District Shops, and had meaningful discussions about how each role at RTD contributes to making lives better through connections. The group also received unique insights from RTD leadership regarding how the agency can serve the communities in its service area through its mission.
From left to right and starting with the second graduate in the front row, the inaugural class of Transit Academy graduates are Justin Boring (Bus Operator), Pamela Wheeler (Bus Operator), Anne Gurley (Information Systems Risk Analyst), Michele Metziner (Budget Analyst III), Tami Redmond (Compensation Analyst), and John Burriss (Senior Network Engineer). In the back row, starting second from left, are Charlie Vasquez (Overhead Catenary System Supervisor), Lucas Bosley (Public Relations Specialist), Lev Youngblood (Liability Risk Management Specialist II), Gisa Simmons (Civil Rights Outreach Specialist), Matthew Westrum (LRT Service & Cleaning Supervisor), and Ryan Gerard (Public Safety Dispatcher).
The graduates were joined by RTD Board Chair Julien Bouquet, far left in the back row, who provided congratulatory remarks, and Community Engagement Specialist Gabriel Martinez, far left in the front row, who championed the program and led most of the sessions.
| | RTD celebrates Halloween at BOOnion Station | | |
Before trick-or-treaters landed on doorsteps across the region last week, they celebrated Halloween at BOOnion Station, a spooky annual gathering at the central transit hub featuring a costume contest, a deejay spinning festive tunes – and an abundance of candy. At the center of it all were more than a dozen RTD colleagues, who provided treats and answered questions about Zero Fare for Youth, the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, and the January service changes. More than 900 people stopped by the agency’s tent, and more than 300 stopped by the Zero Fare for Youth-wrapped bus at the edge of the plaza, for a total of 1,253 interactions.
Taking part in this special event were Mario Miguel, Rudy Miguel Aguirre, Victoria Broce, Taylor Curtis, Phillip Englishbee, Megan Everett, Broderick Fowler, Eryn Grover, Laurie Huff, Leah Kennedy, Allison Korinek, Juan Monclova, Rachel Sileo, Pamela Wheeler, and several more Transit Police team members.
Click the link below to review a gallery of images from BOOnion Station, and look closely if you don’t immediately recognize your colleagues – many were in costume!
| | East Metro celebrates Brenda Richardson's retirement | | | | |
On Friday, staff at East Metro gathered to recognize the career of bus operator Brenda Richardson, who retired after 25 years of service with RTD. Colleagues enjoyed cake, sodas, and a potluck, and operators signed a large card.
Congratulations, Brenda, and enjoy your retirement!
| | Holiday Happenings launch this morning at Union Station | | |
Customers passing Chestnut Pavilion this morning encountered a stable of colleagues ready to answer questions, extend thanks for using transit – and offer gingerbread cookies and candy canes. The event was the first in the agency’s series of Holiday Happenings events for the winter season. Providing assistance today were Zachary Bales, Megan Everett, Sean Faris, Aliya Gregory, Betsy Hinojosa, Gabriel Martinez, Monica Oakes, and Jess Shipers.
The next event will be 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Olde Town Arvada Station. Have questions or want to join the fun? Email the Community Engagement team (communityengagement@rtd-denver.com).
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November's Operator of the Month is Boulder Division's Mike Burgoa. Burgoa was selected by Boulder leadership for his dedication to customer excellence and creating a welcoming transit environment while prioritizing the safety and security of his customers. Burgoa was operating his bus along Route FF1 when he was made aware of a Route LD1 bus that had experienced a mechanical failure, rendering the bus unable to move. He relayed to his customers that he was going to pull over close to the bus and pick up its customers to finish their trip to Union Station. He also made sure that his fellow operator driving the Route LD1 bus was OK, and that help was on the way before finishing his trip. |
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Shawn Hughes
Street Supervisor (formerly Bus Operator)
Carolyn Browner
Street Supervisor (formerly Bus Operator)
Marta Lovato
Street Supervisor (formerly Bus Operator)
Keith Degolier
Lead Instructor, Bus Operations (formerly Bus Instructor/Bus Operator)
Brandon Steinkamp
Lead Instructor, Bus Operations (formerly Dispatcher)
Brenden Morgan
Treasury Director (formerly Senior Manager, Debt and Investments)
Darin Smith
Shared Technical Services Manager (formerly IT Operations Coordinator)
Jared McCauley
Associate General Counsel (formerly Assistant General Counsel)
Rachael Williams
Division Supervisor, Light Rail Transportation (formerly Certified Train Operator)
Jeffery Reynolds
Division Supervisor, Light Rail Transportation (formerly Certified Train Operator)
Daniel Finch
Division Supervisor, Light Rail Transportation (formerly Certified Train Operator)
Eric Mannes
Lead Instructor, Light Rail Transportation (formerly Instructor, Light Rail Transportation)
Maria Quiel
Service & Cleaning Supervisor (formerly Service Person)
Dain Caldwell
Senior Buyer (formerly Buyer)
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: Moussa Diallo | This week’s best dressed operator is operator-in-training Moussa Diallo, currently based out of District Shops. Thanks, Moussa, for hitting the ground running and looking good while doing so! |
| | Salaried employees and Transit Police officers have until Nov. 17 to log into Workday and make their health care selections for the next year. As a reminder, Health Savings (HSA) and Flexible Spending (FSA) accounts must be manually opted into every year. | |
Employees are strongly encouraged to log into Workday and verify their coverage, even if they intend to continue with the selections made last year.
Employees who need a refresher on Open Enrollment can log into Workday Learning and take an optional training course.
Please direct any questions about Open Enrollment to the Benefits team (benefits@rtd-denver.com).
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| From Cybersecurity: An easier way to stay secure is coming soon | |
RTD is moving into a new era of keeping employees' work computers and applications safe while making it easier than ever to access agency applications without needing a password.
Beginning this month, RTD's Cybersecurity Department will be rolling out new tools that let employees sign into their RTD-issued laptops or desktop computers, as well as cloud-based applications, quickly and securely without needing a password. These new passwordless, phish-resistant methods are simple, fast to use, and more secure than traditional passwords. The best part is employees will no longer need to change their passwords every 90 days!
More information regarding these new ways to sign in will be shared at a later date.
| | Wellbeing Connection: Kick the smoking habit to the curb permanently | |
Cigarette smoking remains the most preventable cause of serious illness and death in the United States. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 10.2% of Coloradans smoked cigarettes in 2023. Secondhand smoke can cause stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults.
The good news is that quitting smoking at any age significantly reduces health risks. Continue reading to learn more about the resources available to RTD employees to help them ditch the habit for good and live a healthier and longer life.
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From Cybersecurity: Here are Phishing Tournament winners | |
Throughout October, RTD’s Cybersecurity Department challenged employees to correctly report simulated phishing attempts sent to their email addresses as part of the inaugural Phishing Tournament during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Employees who correctly reported all simulated phishing attempts were entered to win prizes. This year’s winners are:
- Joey Bell
- Michael Powell
- Norma Escobar
- Raymond Kelley
- Sean McVeigh
The Cybersecurity Department thanks all employees who participated in the Phishing Tournament, as well as those who completed all training modules through the KnowBe4 learning portal, for their commitment to staying on top of their cybersecurity awareness and keeping themselves and the agency safe from cyber threats.
Remember, when encountering a suspicious email, use the Phish Alert button (PAB) in Outlook to report it and help stop such messages from reaching other people’s inboxes.
For suspicious activity, contact the IT Service Desk at 303.299.6100 or submit a ticket through the IT Service Portal by selecting “Report an Issue.” For physical security threats, call the Transit Police Security Command Center immediately at 303.299.2911. Have questions? Contact CSAware@training.rtd-denver.com.
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The next OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony is Nov. 14 | |
Swing by the atrium at Blake Street at 1 p.m. next Friday and congratulate the agency’s next class of bus and light rail operators at November’s OneRTD Operator Graduation Ceremony! Graduates are welcome to invite family and friends to the celebration.
Anyone unable to attend in person can watch a livestream of the ceremony on the agency’s YouTube channel. Click the link below, then select the "Notify Me" button to be notified via email when the livestream begins.
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| 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 | |
"I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man."
— Sun Bear
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| What did you think of this edition of Inside Connections? | | | | |
Need to report a concern with a vehicle, bus route, rail line or customer facility? Fill out the OneRTD Care Reporting Form by clicking the link below. |
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