Denver region voters approve Ballot Issue 7A | |
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Voters in Tuesday’s general election said yes to Ballot Issue 7A, which allows RTD to keep tax revenue that otherwise would be returned to voters under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). About 69% of voters approved the measure, according to unofficial results from the Colorado Secretary of State.
“Approval of this ballot measure reaffirms the region’s commitment to public transit,” RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “It allows RTD to continue focusing on the Denver metro area’s current and future mobility needs and avoids potential negative impacts to RTD’s current revenue sources.”
To review all general election results from the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, click here.
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Formerly called Operation Give-a-Gift, RTD is reintroducing its donation activities under a new look and name: RTD Gives.
Building upon the success of the more recent National Volunteer Month donation drive in April, Communications and Engagement launches RTD Gives this month, benefiting Broomfield-based nonprofit A Precious Child.
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After 50-plus years, one of RTD's longest-serving employees has retired | In working for an employer as dynamic as RTD, every individual at the agency can say they have experienced a lot of change. One colleague among us, Terry Vicek, has lived the entirety of RTD’s history – because his career in public transit predates the agency’s operations. Vicek, an undercover ride monitor, retired last month after providing more than five decades of service to the Denver metro region. | |
Introducing the new ServiceNow Employee Center IT support portal | | |
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The world continues to race into the digital sphere. Tasks that used to be completed on pen and paper are now done in the virtual space. Filing cabinets have been emptied and replaced by cloud storage. Meetings and project collaborations have moved from the conference rooms to Microsoft Teams. Homes, coffee shops and parks are now considered suitable office spaces, thanks to the internet. | |
In this ever-evolving, technology-focused world, RTD has had to adapt internally and externally. This has created a demand for a more innovative way for employees to obtain technology support, to allow the agency’s Information Technology (IT) department to be able to handle the influx of tickets. Now, employees can get help with technology faster and more efficiently than ever before, thanks to the ServiceNow Employee Center IT support portal. | |
Honoring Native American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month: advancing transportation equity | |
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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 celebrate Native American Indian and Alaskan Native (NAIAN) Heritage Month this November, RTD reflects on the invaluable contributions of Indigenous peoples to our shared history, culture and community. This month offers an opportunity to acknowledge the rich traditions and heritage of Native American and Alaskan Native communities while recognizing the ongoing challenges they face, particularly in accessing equitable transportation. This year's theme, "Celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity," emphasizes the importance of self-governance and the essential role Tribes play in decisions impacting their communities and lands. As Tribal sovereignty is recognized through this theme, the federal government's trust responsibility is reaffirmed. The federal trust responsibility is an obligation to uphold the highest standards of accountability and trust toward Indian tribes.
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New light rail, bus operators graduate from training Friday | |
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A joint graduation ceremony for RTD’s newest bus and light rail operators was held Friday in Blake Conference Room T&D. Twenty-six bus operators, four light rail operators and one light rail instructor were honored. Congratulations to each of you!
From left to right and starting with the front row, bus operators are: Carlos Biorggio, Michael Miller, Daniel Malugwe, Shanique Jones and Brian Grubbs; middle row: Nancy Chitwood, Suequia Davis, Sagar Acharya, Ian Johnson and Anthony Morales; and back row: Devon’Naiye Alexander, Yohannes Woldu, Anthony Jackson, Marco Pedroza, Jerimiah Von Akre and Austin Sekerka.
From left to right, the newest members of the light rail team are: Joseph Rios-Pineda (operator), Glenn Balzer (operator), Simon Giavaras (instructor), Tyler Lanckriet (operator) and Nathaniel Youngdale-Rodriguez (operator).
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RTD staff, local leaders take part in Denver groundbreaking | | |
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From left to right: Bill Sirois, Senior Manager of Transit-Oriented Communities, and Chessy Brady, Transit-Oriented Development Manager, joined Jeff Shanahan, owner of Shanahan Development, and local leaders at the Oct. 30 groundbreaking for The Hattie McDaniel, a condo development in Five Points that includes 62 affordable units. | |
RTD’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Policy encourages the agency to prioritize affordable housing, and it began working with Denver city staff more than 10 years ago to plan for such a development. The event featured comments from Stefka Fanchi, CEO, Elevation Community Land Trust; Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; Shanahan; Jamie Rife, Executive Director, Denver Department of Housing Stability; and RTD Board Chair Erik Davidson. Also in attendance was RTD Director Michael Guzman, in whose district the project resides. | |
Blake Street celebrates Halloween with games, treats | |
In honor of Halloween on Thursday, staff at RTD’s Blake Street headquarters took a break from their work to play yard games, enjoy sweet treats and listen to spooky music in the atrium. Many came in costume! | |
East Metro recognizes retirement of longtime bus operator | |
On Friday, East Metro employees celebrated bus operator Sam Munoz's 20-year career with cake, sodas, chips and pastries. Colleagues also signed a large card to wish him the best moving forward. Best wishes to Munoz on his well-earned retirement! | |
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 specialist's attention to detail helps customer book trip | |
I spoke with Sharra Bennett, who booked a FlexRide trip to my hard-to-find address. She took the time to explain everything to me, and she repeated the information to me to make sure she understood everything.
> Read more <
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Operator remains professional during tense situation with customer | |
Route 105 operator James Schreffler, who arrived at Southmoor Station at 6:12 a.m. this morning, handled a tense situation masterfully. When the bus arrived, there were quite a few buses ahead of us, including another Route 105 bus.
> Read more <
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Larry Kier
Supervisor, LRV Maintenance (formerly Business Analyst, Physical Assets)
Orion Parks
Street Supervisor (formerly Bus Operator)
Crystal Baca
Street Supervisor (formerly Bus Operator)
Alejandro Martinez
Transit Police Officer (formerly Rail Laborer, CRT)
Any employees interested in similar opportunities in the future should visit RTD's Careers page.
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November's Operator of the Month is Ike Veiga from Platte Division. Veiga was selected for his outstanding dedication to getting new bus operators up to speed. He has received numerous positive comments from his colleagues, highlighting his impactful approach to training. Thanks to his thorough guidance and expertise, Veiga consistently sets operators up for success, creating a solid foundation for their roles. His efforts play a crucial part in making lives better through connections every day. | |
Salaried employees: Open enrollment is underway | |
RTD helps empower youth voices at the National Youth Transportation Equity Covening | Guest article drafted by Martin Romero, Manager of Transit Equity | |
Civil Rights Division Director Carl Green Jr., right, takes a photograph with Executive Director of National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Jacob Smith. | |
The Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Transit Equity Office proudly partnered with the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) to host the 2024 National Youth Transportation Equity Convening (NYTECx2024) in Denver on Sept. 21, marking the first time this impactful event has taken place in the city. Bringing together over 300 youth leaders, policymakers, transportation experts and community advocates from across the United States, this event was a remarkable convergence of ideas focused on building equitable, sustainable and inclusive transportation systems. | |
Repairs completed at four RTD Park-n-Ride garages | | |
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RTD has completed a large-scale construction project that began in July 2023 to conduct repair work at four Park-n-Ride garages across the district: US-36·Sheridan, Lincoln, US-36·Table Mesa and University stations. The work, which was finalized at the end of October, involved removing and replacing concrete joint sealant throughout the parking structures, along with minor concrete repairs. A two-year project to make similar repairs at the Nine Mile Station Park-n-Ride is underway. | | |
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RTD mourns the passing of N Line certified train engineer Dane Ross, who died Nov. 1.
Ross joined RTD in 2017. His teammates recalled: “Dane talked to everyone. He will always be known for believing the N Line was platinum service. He will be greatly missed by the many friends and colleagues who had the privilege of working with him throughout his dedicated years of service.”
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If you need to speak to someone about this loss, please contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 1.800.284.1819. Employees in Rail Operations are also invited to contact Phil Washington at 303.299.6232. | |
From Wellness: November is American Diabetes Month | | |
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November is recognized as American Diabetes Month. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects 11.6% of the American population, so chances are that someone you know has been diagnosed with diabetes. | |
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. | | |
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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, Chippewa tribe
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