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RTD-PD Detective Bureau officially launches today | |
As of this morning, RTD's Transit Police Department (RTD-PD) Detective Bureau is fully operational and able to start investigating and prosecuting crimes. The department laid the groundwork in January for the bureau to pursue investigations that occur on RTD property across jurisdictions. Since then, RTD-PD worked to establish bureau protocols across eight counties and 40 municipalities within RTD’s service area to formally prosecute personal crimes, involving any threat or use of force, and felony-level narcotics violations across the agency’s system or property.
The bureau includes five full-time detectives and a victim's advocate program specialist. The agency also stood up a property and evidence room to manage intake, storage and release of these items in accordance with RTD-PD policy.
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| LiVE Program growth expands affordable transit access | RTD’s LiVE program, an income-based discount initiative launched in July 2019, has experienced steady growth. According to RTD’s August 2025 Customer and Community Engagement report, LiVE now serves 18,424 active participants, a 26 percent jump since August 2024. This growth demonstrates not only the continued demand for affordable public transit but also the effectiveness of recent improvements in the application process. | | At Chat with the Chief, employees can ask safety, security questions | |
Do you have a question about safety or security? For five weeks starting Oct. 29, Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano will be visiting operating divisions to field employee inquiries in person.
“I want the audience to engage in conversation,” he said. “This is your time to tell me what you’re seeing and how we can be working better as a team – the OneRTD philosophy.”
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Week 3: Gear up to be ransomware ready | Ransomware is like a mid-game boss that keeps coming back stronger. It’s a type of malware that locks up systems or encrypts data until the victim pays a ransom. Cybercriminals use it to demand huge payouts, often leaving even the most skilled of information technology teams scrambling. Most attacks start with a phishing email, where a victim clicks a link or downloads an attachment, and the malware quietly gets to work. It searches for important files, encrypts them and then shows a ransom note with payment instructions and a deadline. Victims must choose between paying a high price or trying to recover without the decryption keys, which can be slow and sometimes impossible. |
| RTD balances reliability, emissions reductions through fleet investment | | | | RTD is taking another step in its long-term Facilities and Fleet Transition Plan by investing $539 million over the next five years to replace aging diesel buses with more efficient, clean-diesel buses. The move ensures RTD can continue delivering safe and reliable transit services while positioning the agency for a gradual shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles. | | Click the links below to read more and to review the Facilities and Fleet Transition Plan. | | | Week six recap and project lookahead | |
Last week, crews placed rail and concrete ties on both sides of Kalamath Street. "Skeleton track" was assembled for both track A and B and crews performed 42 of 81 thermite welds. Trucks delivered more crossing panels for reconstruction of the tracks on Kalamath Street.
This week, crews will continue welding and grinding rail on the east side of Kalamath Street. Additionally, inspectors will perform ultrasonic testing on the completed welds to ensure the welds hold. This process uses high-frequency sound waves blasted into the rails to detect defects in the rail’s interior structure, making sure nothing is compromised that could cause an accident or track failure. Crews will continue to stage materials in the work zone ahead of reconstruction of the tracks on Kalamath Street.
| 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. | | Light rail operator provides excellent service to customer with bike | Operator Sergio Chavez did an excellent job. He was courteous, providing information and helping me get my bike off the train. I felt safe and comfortable and everything was on time. Ten out of 10 would recommend. | | Information specialist answers returning customer's many questions with respect | I just got off the phone with Crystal Estrada. She was kind, considerate and professional. I hadn't taken RTD in decades and had a lot of questions. She answered every single one with a smile in her voice. | | Board directors tour Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility | | |
Early Friday morning, RTD Directors Julien Bouquet, Chris Nicholson, Chris Gutschenritter, Michael Guzman, Ian Harwick and Matt Larsen were given a tour of the Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, home of the A, B and G lines, as well as the maintenance facility for the N Line.
The visit was led by Senior Manager of Commuter Rail Contract Services Mike Millage and Denver Transit Partners CEO Nate Morgan, who showcased facility amenities that included the Transit Police Communication and Operations Command centers. The group also toured of the facility’s shop floor, observed morning pull-outs and peeked inside a commuter rail train cab. Also taking part in the tour were General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson, Chief Operations Officer Patrick Preusser, Deputy Chief Operations Officer of Rail Operations Dave Jensen and additional RTD staff.
| | Welcome to RTD's newest employees | | Twenty-one employees joined the agency at Monday’s orientation. Welcome aboard! | | |
Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Chris Medina | This week’s best-dressed operator is Platte Division operator Chris Medina, currently based out of District Shops. Congratulations, Chris! |
| Agency hosts bus safety drill Tuesday at Platte | | |
RTD and local emergency agencies staged a large-scale training exercise this week to simulate an electric bus fire, as part of the agency's long-term shift toward electric vehicles and near-term enhanced safety planning.
The exercise took place at the Platte bus garage and involved approximately 100 participants, including staff from Bus Operations and Transit Police, along with members of the Denver Police and Denver Fire departments. The scenario simulated an all-electric 16th Street FreeRide bus catching fire while charging indoors near other vehicles, giving crews the chance to practice emergency procedures and improve coordination in a high-risk environment.
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Veterans: events next month will honor your service | |
This year, the agency seeks to recognize and honor the service of military veterans within its workforce and throughout the RTD district.
Through the design and coordination of Communications and Engagement, the agency will debut a commemorative Veterans Day-wrapped bus during a ceremonial recognition breakfast for military veteran employees on Tuesday, Nov. 11, starting promptly at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 8:30 a.m. at District Shops.
By Tuesday, Nov. 4, managers are asked to RSVP for the breakfast on behalf of their military veteran employees using the form linked here.
Members of the Leadership Team will visit Elati Division later that morning, taking their gratitude on the road while riding the newly wrapped bus. Military veteran employees from surrounding facilities are invited to join in celebration at Elati upon their arrival, which is anticipated to be around 9:30 a.m. Managers should direct questions concerning the Elati visit to Business Support II Greg Roberts (gregory.roberts@rtd-denver.com).
Please direct all additional questions to Business Program Manager Betsy Hinojosa (betsy.hinojosa@rtd-denver.com).
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| New business templates, updated brand book available on the Hub | |
Employees can access the latest business templates, such as the new PowerPoint templates and branding resources, via the Hub by clicking on “Marketing Resources” under the “Tools & Resources” drop-down menu on the toolbar.
Additionally, employees can access the latest version of the RTD Brand Book. This document provides guidelines, requirements and advice on how to use RTD branding in internal and external publications, such as proper logo usage, required fonts and font sizes, official brand colors and tips on how to adhere to the standards set in the book.
Click the links below or visit the Hub to access these resources.
| | Reminder: Greeting cards are available upon request via the Hub | |
Keep your employees motivated, happy and appreciated by ordering greeting cards! Departments can request greeting cards from the Communications and Engagement Department to share with employees for recognition, morale or other celebratory purposes. Four versions of greeting cards are available to choose from, which include thank-you cards, congratulatory cards, and two blank card variants, one with a red icon and the other with a blue icon.
Click the link below to fill out the request form.
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Update: High Block Procedure for People with Disabilities | |
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), RTD has updated its High Block Procedure for People with Disabilities, effective Oct. 1.
The procedure states that high blocks must remain clear of any impediments and obstacles that could restrict access at light rail stations. It also specifies that high blocks are reserved for customers with disabilities or using mobility aids, such as mobility scooters, wheelchairs or walkers. Customers with luggage, grocery carts, bicycles, e-bikes or any other non-mobility aids must board using the standard platforms.
Click the link below to view the document.
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CLARIFICATION: Because of an editing error, the words “ice Sergeant” appeared erroneously in the third column of the Work Anniversaries feature in last week’s edition of Inside Connections. No RTD personnel work for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Internal Communications team regrets the error. |
| 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 | |
"At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can."
— Frida Kahlo
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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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