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In honor of Rail Safety Week, meet four colleagues for whom safety is always top of mind | |
During Rail Safety Week, taking placenow through Sunday, RTD is joining communities across North America to remind the public that safety around railroad crossings and train tracks is everyone’s responsibility. Staff are at stations throughout the week to answer questions and connect with customers. The agency operates a total of 10 rail lines spanning more than 114 miles of track.
In recognition of this important week, our rail colleagues have identified four employees who show a strong commitment to safety in their railroad role. Read on to see why each was nominated and to learn more about them.
| | Ray Richards, Signal/Traction Power Maintainer, Light Rail Operations | | Venessa Stone, LRV Operator Training Manager, Light Rail Operations | | |
Ben Bolei, Signal Maintainer, Commuter Rail Operations | | Dustun Martinez, Field Supervisor, Commuter Rail Operations | | |
District Shops Showdown: Colleagues face off in friendly competition during 2025 Bus Roadeo | | As the sun rose over the eastern plains Saturday morning, the District Shops parking lot transformed into a tight, winding obstacle course designed to challenge the skills of the agency's most seasoned bus operators. Cones lined the pavement, hundreds of employees and their families filled the event grounds, and the agency’s best bus operators and mechanics prepared to put their skills to the test at the 2025 RTD Bus Roadeo. However, at the end of the day, only the best of the best would come out victorious, etching their name in RTD history as the best operators, mechanics and service workers throughout the entire agency. | | RTD recognizes Information Technology, Cybersecurity employees this National IT Professionals Day | | |
Yesterday was National Information Technology (IT) Professionals Day, a day that recognizes the hard work of all American IT employees in keeping their organizations safe from cyber threats, domestic and abroad. At RTD, IT and cybersecurity professionals play a critical role in the daily operations of the agency. From radio communications to real-time vehicle tracking to cybersecurity to employee technical support, RTD’s IT and Cybersecurity departments keep the agency on track to fulfill its mission of making lives better through connections.
Meet four employees who play key roles in the upkeep and security of IT infrastructure, and learn more about the work they do to keep RTD safe.
| | Brandy Hunter, Supervisor, Collaboration Platforms | Linda Ray House, Technical Documentation Specialist, Cybersecurity | | Will Thomas, Asset Manager, Information Technology | Ryan Welsh, Technical Support Analyst I | | FreeRide set to return to 16th Street on Oct. 5 | | |
| On Friday, RTD announced it plans to return its no-cost bus shuttle service to the full length of 16th Street on Sunday, Oct. 5. At the start of service that day, the 16th Street FreeRide will resume normal operations between Denver Union Station and Civic Center Station. | | | Week two progress report is available to view | |
Notable progress detailed in the report includes installation of temporary construction fencing and overhead catenary wire protection in the construction zone; equipment, materials and temporary facilities were dropped off at the work site; project information banners near the work site were installed in strategic locations for maximum visibility; and all necessary permits were obtained.
Additionally, community outreach meetings were held with community groups and a project hotline was established for the public to share concerns and ask questions. The hotline can be reached at 720.902.8817.
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| 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 sees customer sprinting to bus, stops and pulls over before leaving gate | I was sprinting through Union Station because my connection was behind. The operator, Raquel Mitchell, started to pull away from the gate but stopped and pulled over before getting too far from the gate’s door. She waited just for me. I really appreciated that because I had plans that evening and missing this bus would’ve meant eating dinner late. It’s those little acts of humanity and kindness that make me really appreciate taking public transit. | | Communications employee steps in to fill vacant deejay duty at the 2025 Bus Roadeo | I want to highlight the enthusiasm and creativity of my colleague Austin Nettleton, Senior Specialist, Public Relations. Aside from the fact that Austin is a leader on our team for Internal Communications every single week, he quickly answered the call to deejay for the Bus Roadeo. Austin immediately said yes and started brainstorming how he could make this memorable for our teams attending the event. | | |
Employees and their families enjoy the 2025 Bus Roadeo | | |
While the competition was fierce at the 2025 Bus Roadeo, the fun was even more intense. Attendees enjoyed a number of fun activities to complement the ongoing competition taking place on the other side of the parking lot fence, including face painting, chalk art, watching a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, voting in the Auto and Bike Show, facility tours, yard games and chair massages, the latter made possible by RTD’s Wellbeing team. Those in attendance heard a variety of tunes spun by in-house deejay Austin Nettleton and had the opportunity to request their favorite songs to be played to the masses! Breakfast from Santiago’s was provided for those who arrived early, and burgers, brats and other Americana staples were served for lunch by the Dog Haus.
Click the link below to check out more photos from the 2025 Bus Roadeo and to view a recap of the event filmed by RTD videographer Mark Morarie.
| | Welcome to RTD’s newest employees! | Twenty-eight employees joined the agency at Monday’s orientation. Thanks to each of you for bringing your skills and talents to RTD! | | Employees conduct public outreach for Rail Safety Week | | |
This week, RTD is teaming up with Denver Transit Operators (DTO) and Operation Lifesaver to promote Rail Safety Week. RTD and DTO staff, as well as Operation Lifesaver volunteers, have been out at rail stations sharing with customers tips and tricks to stay safe when around railroad crossings and train tracks. Through today, personnel will have conducted outreach at four stations: Peoria, Central Park, I-25•Broadway and Olde Town Arvada.
7-9 a.m. tomorrow, staff will be hosting Rail Safety Week activations at the light rail and commuter rail platforms at Union Station. The week will conclude with one more event 7-9 a.m. Friday at Commerce City•72nd Avenue Station.
Click the links below to view a photo gallery from the events to date and learn more about Rail Safety Week, including ways to stay safe around railroad tracks.
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Bourbon Stanford
Bus Operator (26 years)
Fredric Opp
Bus Operator (21 years)
Trudy Bates
Business Support (12 years)
Brad Todaro
Network Engineer (8 years)
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Best Dressed Operator of the Week: Shante Nicole Simpson | This week’s best-dressed operator is East Metro’s Shante Nicole Simpson! Congratulations, Shante, and thanks for keeping in line with the dress code and staying stylish while doing so. |
| Community Engagement launches employee Transit Academy | | | | The program, to be piloted next month, is modeled after civic academies that educate community members on the basic functions of government in a fun, informative environment. The purpose of the pilot is to identify whether this type of programming improves individuals’ understanding of and interest in transit operations. | | Want to assist with fall, winter events? It's time to sign up! | With the change in seasons comes new opportunities to connect with RTD customers and community members. While December may seem far away, Community Engagement has been planning autumn and winter programming since July. | | BOOnion Station Trick or Treat Street | Every Halloween, Denver Union Station is transformed into a spooky station, filled with ghosts and fairies and superheroes. Join RTD at the “pumpkin patch,” where we will pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. Family members are encouraged to attend. A couple of spots remain; secure one by clicking the link below. | | For a third consecutive year, RTD is marching through the streets of downtown Denver to recognize the many holidays celebrated in the community. Note that participation in this parade is limited to 30 employees (no family members). Good news: More than two dozen spaces are still available. | | Winter programming opportunities | | RTD is expanding its customer appreciation offerings this winter to include a story time on the Winter Parade Bus, caroling at stations and a visit with Santa! Three “surprise and delight” events are also scheduled where gingerbread cookies will be distributed to customers at stations. Team members interested in one or more of these events should complete the interest form by clicking the link below. | | |
Civil Rights celebrate staff growth, development | |
The Civil Rights Division is proud to recognize new certified Contract Compliance Administrators (CCA) and Master Compliance Administrators (MCA) within the agency.
Aug. 11-15, Colorado hosted the annual National Training Institute (NTI) of the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA), an educational program to certify professionals as CCA and MCA professionals. The program focused on managing compliance aspects on contracts with federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Transportation. On Aug. 15, Crystal Kirklin, Small Business Office (SBO) Compliance Officer; Urvashi Shrestha, SBO Compliance Specialist; and Civil Rights Director Carl Green Jr. graduated with CCA certifications, while Jose L. Chirinos, SBO Compliance Officer, completed his MCA certification.
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Impact Team training planned for next month | |
In summer 2024, RTD formed and deployed its first customer experience outreach pilot program called the Impact Team. The pilot program’s initial cohort of nearly 40 employees from across the agency proved a success, completing over 60 assignments at various stations across the district.
The original intent was to transition the pilot into a full-time team of RTD employees solely focused on Impact Team outreach. However, for the near future, the agency will continue to leverage the enthusiasm of its employee volunteers.
To support employees who may be interested in volunteering for an Impact Team assignment or activities hosted by Community Engagement, an in-person classroom training session will take place 8:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Blake Street. Coffee and breakfast bites will be provided.
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| Next Facts-n-Snacks: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness | | | | Join emergency management specialists Amelia Iraheta and Natt Cohen next week as they share tips and advice on how to stay prepared in the event of an emergency. Session details are below. Invites to the sessions will be sent tomorrow via Outlook. Links to the virtual sessions will be added to the Facts-n-Snacks page on the Hub. | |
- Session 1 (virtual, Microsoft Teams): 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22
- Session 2 (virtual, Microsoft Teams): 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23
- Session 3 (in-person, District Shops mezzanine, LoDo classroom): Noon Thursday, Sept. 25
Please send questions, concerns or issues to Senior Specialist, Public Relations Austin Nettleton (austin.nettleton@rtd-denver.com).
| | From Cybersecurity: Account takeovers by emotional predators | Scammers are hijacking social media accounts on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, often by figuring out usernames and passwords. Once inside, they pose as the account owner to share fake posts that often include emotional details, creating a sense of urgency and driving people into action. These scams often include stories like being mugged in a city and needing help, being in a car accident and needing money, or that a loved one passed away and their belongings are being sold. | | Reminder: Report potential issues through new OneRTD Care Reporting Form | |
Employees can use the form to report issues encountered around the district, such as concerns with vehicles and unplanned service impacts, stop and facility conditions, safety concerns and problems with station signage.
Click the link below to access the form. It also permanently resides on the Hub, The RTD Bulletin, the quick links at the bottom of Inside Connections and public information displays via a scannable QR code.
| | What's the latest with Benefits and Wellbeing? | | |
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Prospective candidates can visit Platte Division 2-5 p.m. Sept. 24 to inquire about a variety of open positions within Bus Transportation and Maintenance, including operators and mechanics. Contingent job offers will be made at the fair for those who meet the qualifications. A signing bonus of $4,000, paid out in installments, is available for candidates who are hired and complete training.
Learn more about the careers RTD offers by clicking the link below.
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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 | |
"You are perfectly cast in your life. I can’t imagine anyone but you in the role. Go play."
— Lin-Manuel Miranda
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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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