A message from the GM/CEO regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget and strategic decisions | | |
In a memo sent Monday to all employees, General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson provided additional details regarding the development of RTD’s budget for the coming fiscal year. “As you have likely seen in recent media coverage, federal, state, and local governments and private businesses alike are weathering financially challenging times and are having to tighten belts in order to ensure long-term sustainability,” she wrote. “RTD is no different in that respect, and the FY 2026 Proposed Budget reflects the circumstances in which we collectively find ourselves.”
Every effort is being made, she said, to ensure that the FY 2026 Proposed Budget minimizes impacts to transit service delivery, retains the agency’s employees and supports RTD’s Strategic Plan, criteria Johnson initially shared Sept. 2. More details and a timeline for the budget are outlined in the memo, linked below.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Week 2: Stay secure from AI-powered threats | Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way cybercriminals operate. Social engineering — tricking people into giving up personal information — is just the beginning. Hackers and scammers now use AI to make phishing emails and other scams look more real than ever. These attacks can happen at work or during personal time, so it’s important to stay alert and informed. | | |
Building bridges through dialogue: Gabbing with Gabe and Gisa highlights disability-related complaint process | |
On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Office within RTD’s Civil Rights Division hosted the latest installment of "Gabbing with Gabe and Gisa," a quarterly community listening event meant to strengthen connections between RTD and the community of people with disabilities. Held at the agency’s headquarters, this session focused on one of the most important aspects of accessibility and accountability — RTD’s disability-related complaint process.
Led by Gabe Christie, ADA Manager, and Gisa McCray Simmons, Civil Rights Outreach Specialist, the event provided an open and informative space for dialogue between RTD and the community. Participants discussed pressing issues affecting people with disabilities who rely on RTD’s fixed routes, Access-a-Ride and Access-on-Demand services.
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| Jesus Encinas, LRV Electro Mechanic (10 years) | | | | “I graduated from Colorado Aero Tech, and I was a flight mechanic for about 17 years. I traveled all over the world working on airplanes. My job was to transport military personnel and make sure the plane was airworthy. I've been to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Okinawa, Ireland, Afghanistan. And even though I was in the civilian military, it's just amazing, the kind of things you see. It was great to be a part of it." | | | |
Last week, crews finished installing the initial layer of ballast on both sides of Kalamath Street and began installing concrete ties and rail along the southbound tracks, with a total of 144 ties installed.
On Saturday, a strong wind weather event caused challenges for crews working in the construction zone, as gusts knocked down a section of the construction fence on the east side of Kalamath Street. Crews quickly restored the downed fencing and reinforced it with sandbags to prevent further issues.
| Project Lookahead: Week of Oct. 6-12 | This week, crews will continue to place ties and rail. Additionally, crews will begin welding rail on the southbound track and constructing the seasonally appropriate-named "skeleton track" for the northbound track. Skeleton tracks refer to sections of railway under construction that resemble the final appearance of the track, but do not yet have the additional welds and components needed to safely operate trains and vehicles on the tracks. The double right-lane closure will stay in effect all week. | 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’s dedication to details, service improves the lives of his customers | I wanted to give a commendation to your Route FF1 driver, John McMahon, from Union Station to Boulder today. He is a great driver, pays attention to details and helps people with their luggage. He goes above and beyond to make his passengers welcomed. Kudos to him! | | Bus operator keeps rides smooth and relaxing for customers | My husband and I frequently take the Route AT bus to and from the airport, and today's ride was extremely pleasant. DeAnna Osborne is an excellent driver. She is very conscientious and drives so smoothly, as well as being an overall pleasant lady. This truly was one of the best rides we have had on RTD. | | Technical Training instructor/supervisor shows RTD-PD officers how to shut down buses during emergencies | | |
While the instructors of Bus Maintenance’s Technical Training team primarily focus on the continuous training and skill development of the department’s mechanics, Instructor/Supervisor Jon Paul Mitchell’s class on Oct. 1 looked quite a bit different than his usual crop of students, with over 40 RTD Transit Police officers learning how to immobilize each of the four different types of buses that make up the agency’s bus fleet.
In the event of an emergency, first responders need to understand how to safely, quickly and effectively disable a bus. Through the training, officers learned what parts to look for or features to use that can shut down a bus in under a minute. The remaining Transit Police officers who did not participate in the first session will complete the training later this month.
| | Expanded college fair is happening now at District Shops | |
Today, in the paint bay of District Shops, RTD employees are taking advantage of the opportunity to chat with representatives from 18 universities, community colleges and professional development organizations, learning about ways they can continue furthering their education and skills through academic degree programs and certifications at the second college fair event of the year.
The event continues through 4 p.m. Click the link below to view a list of participating institutions and to learn about RTD’s Professional Development Program.
| | At news conference, RTD joins Denver DOTI, CDOT and DPD to discuss increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2025 | | |
Last Thursday, media were invited to a joint news conference held by Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI), Denver Police Department (DPD), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and RTD at CDOT’s headquarters to raise awareness of an increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2025 and encourage all Denverites to play a role in making streets safer.
At the event, Timothy Tyran, RTD’s Chief Safety Officer and Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance, provided remarks alongside CDOT Chief of Staff Sally Chafee, DPD Traffic Investigations Detective Josh Koen and DOTI Executive Director Amy Ford. Tyran discussed the agency’s role in promoting pedestrian safety and provided tips on how to stay safe around busy streets and train tracks. “RTD and myself are wholeheartedly committed to safety, but we cannot do it alone,” he said. “We need every pedestrian, every customer to be proactive, alert and responsible. So let’s work together to make sure that every walk and every ride is safe.”
| | 16th Street reopens at milestone celebration Saturday | | |
Much like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, Denver’s 16th Street finally spread its wings and showed off its three-year-long makeover at a special event on Saturday, and RTD was right there to celebrate.
General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson joined Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and other city leaders on stage, providing remarks about the rejuvenated shopping and entertainment corridor and promoting the 16th Street FreeRide, which provides block-by-block service along the entire corridor between Union and Civic Center stations.
16th Street began its remodel in 2022. Throughout the renovation process, old infrastructure was completely removed, replaced with a reconfigured layout with wider sidewalks, mature trees and a new granite paver system with improved surface friction and drainage. New art installations, both static and interactive, were installed along the corridor, as well as new digital signs that aim to improve wayfinding for visitors. As of Sunday, RTD’s 16th Street FreeRide buses now operate on an adjusted transitway, with wider sidewalks and safer passageways for pedestrians in the area.
Event attendees and visitors alike enjoyed free activities, handouts, live music — including a performance by renowned alternative rock/hip-hop band Flobots — and endless entertainment along the entire 1.25-mile-long 16th Street corridor. RTD is proud to have been a partner on this project and looks forward to seeing how the corridor evolves.
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5 years
Michael Karol-Chik
Materials Handling and Purchasing Manager
Christopher Daiker
Transit Police Sergeant
Wyatt Lymber
Incident Support Desk Supervisor
10 years
Steve Martingano
Chief of Police and Emergency Management
Norman Ferguson
Train Operator
Ephrem Getachew
Bus Operator
Bob Hong
Light Rail MOW Supervisor
Mauricio Ovalle
Bilingual Information Specialist
James Ray
Distribution Clerk
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15 years
Patrick Stanley
Civil Engineering Manager
Phoenix Blackstone
Bus Operator
Mario Garcia
Support Vehicle Certified Mechanic
Teresa Thompson
LRT Service & Cleaning Supervisor
Marvin Bauer
LRV Electro Mechanic
Tonia White
Sales/Information Representative
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20 years
Cheryl Jones
Parts Clerk
DeAnna Osborne
Bus Operator
Tameka McMillan
ADA Investigator/Specialist
Sydner Uphoff
Undercover Ride Monitor
ice Sergeant)
25 years
Claude Vigil
Construction Engineer II
30 years
Joseph Ocansey
LRV Electro Mechanic
Kevin Whitaker
Service Person
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Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Robert Avila | This week’s best-dressed operator is student operator Robert Avila, currently based out of District Shops. Looking good, Robert! |
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Windows 11 to be installed on RTD-owned computers | |
Starting this month, RTD’s Information Technology (IT) Department will begin the process of installing Windows 11, the current iteration of Microsoft’s Windows operating system, on all agency-owned Windows-based laptops and computers over the next few months.
This change comes in response to Microsoft announcing it is ending support of its Windows 10 operating system on Oct. 14. All devices with that version of the operating system installed will no longer receive critical security updates, opening them up to detrimental security risks. All Windows 10 devices will receive one final security update at the end of this month and then will no longer receive any future updates from Microsoft. To ensure the agency remains secure from cyber threats, RTD is requiring all Windows-based devices, such as laptops and computers, to upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible.
RTD employees will start receiving emails within the next couple of weeks from Information Technology with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to install Windows 11 in the days and weeks ahead. Once the upgrade begins, the process can take between 30 minutes to an hour to finish. During this initial step, the computer can still be used. After that, users will have two hours to restart their computers to complete the upgrade. The restart process itself can take 15-30 minutes, depending on the age and configuration of the user’s PC.
Be on the lookout for more information once the upgrade process begins rolling out, and contact IT’s Service Desk team by clicking the link below and opening a ticket. Those who cannot access a computer can call 303.299.6100 for support.
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| RTD honored as 2025 Asian Chamber of Commerce Corporate Partner of the Year | | | | Of five nominees, the selection committee chose RTD on the basis of demonstrating exceptional commitment to supporting Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) small businesses, community organizations and initiatives. This award celebrates corporations that have gone above and beyond in their partnerships, providing significant resources, mentorship or opportunities to foster business growth. | | Asian Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Fran Campbell commended RTD for its impact on empowering AAPI entrepreneurs, strengthening cultural inclusion, promoting economic justice, and creating a more inclusive and equitable business environment. On behalf of the agency, RTD’s Small Business Opportunity Office accepted the award Friday at the ACC’s annual gala at Ameristar Casino and Resort in Black Hawk. | | |
GM/CEO article on asset renewal featured in HNTB InTransit | In an article published today in HNTB InTransit, General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson outlines RTD’s current focus on long‑term sustainability and asset renewal, ensuring that the agency safeguards public investment in the transit network for decades to come. "What began as a period of rapid expansion to meet the needs of a growing population has matured into a new era — one defined by sustaining and renewing the assets that keep our system strong,” she wrote. The piece notes that RTD’s shift from system buildout to long-term sustainability is guided by a strategic plan that shapes how to approach renewal and maintain a state of good repair. |
| 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 want to tell my daughter this: it pays to persevere. If you persevere for long enough, your dreams may just come true."
— Yang Yue
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