January 17, 2024

 
 

Take care of yourself during Mental Wellness Month

Two employees standing by a bus

RTD's greatest asset is its employees, and your overall well-being supports our collective ability to make lives better through connections. January is Mental Wellness Month, and mental wellness, like physical wellness, is important in achieving optimal health and happiness.


The Global Wellness Institute describes mental wellness as an inner resource that is dynamic, renewable and positive. It helps us build resilience, grow and flourish in all facets of our lives.

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Longtime RTD Board Director Kate Williams steps down

Director Kate Williams at a podium

Kate Williams, who has represented District A on the RTD Board since 2017, has announced her resignation due to serious health issues.


Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has the authority to appoint a replacement to fill the position through January 2025, when a new director is sworn in from the November election.

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Congratulations to January's retirees

Please extend your appreciation and good wishes to two of our colleagues who retire from RTD this month. Platte division supervisor Jack Reader, who served the agency for 17 years, and Boulder bus operator Tina Lucido, who departs after 13 years, are both retiring in January. Thank you for all you have done, and enjoy this next phase of life!

Ugly holiday sweater contest winners announced

The competition was fierce in RTD’s first Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest, and the winners have been chosen! Following a round of voting by employees, individual and team winners have been announced in six categories.

Brian Mueller

First Place

Individual


Brian Mueller

Capital Programs

Matt Druffel

Second Place

Individual


Matt Druffel

Capital Programs

Steven Butcher

Third Place

Individual


Steven Butcher

Finance

 
Market Development Team

First Place

Team


Market

Development

Engineering Construction

Second Place

Team


Engineering Construction

Communications and Engagement

Third Place

Team


Communications and Engagement

 

Individual winners received a medal, and teams received a plaque to display in their work area. Communications and Engagement appreciates all employees who participated in the end-of-the-year event.

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Dialogue with Debra held last week at Platte Division

Dialogue with Debra thumbnail
Watch on the Hub

The most recent Dialogue with Debra was held on Thursday, Jan. 11, at Platte, and video from the forum is available on the Hub. The all-employee forum addressed topics from the agency's new fare structure and employee events to the soon-to-be-underway organizational design and workplace assessment.

Responses to all unanswered questions from last week's forum will be posted on the Hub. The next Dialogue with Debra will be at Mariposa on March 20, and employees are encouraged to email questions ahead of time to generalmanager@rtd-denver.com.

 

Agency leadership honors Transit Police colleagues for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

On Jan. 10, members of RTD's Leadership Team visited the Transit Police Department in honor of Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a national day of recognition for the dedication and service shown by individuals working in this demanding field. Officers appreciated the show of support and personal thanks, noted Deputy Chief Steve Martingano.

 
Employee Spotlight

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.

Commuter Rail crew shows collaboration and passion

On the cold morning of Jan. 9, a mechanical issue left a train disabled at Eastlake•124th Station during the morning peak. Engineer Rocky Bishop and conductor James Russell were operating a different train on the alignment. While heading north, and knowing that the disabled train was already late beyond recovery, they made the astute decision to pick up southbound customers at Thornton Crossroads•104th and Northglenn•112th stations.

> Read more <

Officers focus on customer safety during bomb threat

RTD Transit Police officers Dominick Castiglione, Brian Beary and Erik Giles demonstrated exceptional dedication and professionalism in handling a bomb threat involving a bus near Sheridan Boulevard and West 82nd Avenue in Arvada. Despite the tense situation, the officers ensured the safety of passengers and the bus operator during the process. The vehicle was inspected by Westminster Police Department and the Denver County Sheriff canine unit, and no suspicious items were located.

> Read more <

General Manager and CEO outlines next steps for Northwest Rail at legislative breakfast  

The northwest metro region’s annual legislative breakfast, hosted on Jan. 9 by Commuting Solutions and the Northwest Mayors and Commissioners Coalition, brought together civic and business leaders, state legislators and experts from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Discussions at the event included clean energy, transportation and economic development.


General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson outlined the steps RTD is taking to develop a prudent and realistic plan to deliver on promises made to the Northwest region through the Northwest Rail Peak Service Study and in working with the Front Range Passenger Rail District. 

Johnson (left) participates in a panel discussion exploring transit aspirations in Colorado with Ann Rajewski, Executive Director, Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, and Shoshana Lew, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Transportation.

Discounted tickets available for upcoming Avalanche games

Avalanche game inside Ball Arena

RTD has partnered with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment to offer discounted tickets to select Colorado Avalanche home games at Ball Arena this season.

Avs Access
 

Thanks to all employees who assembled holiday gifts

Communications and Engagement extends its appreciation to all team members who assisted last month by assembling and distributing holiday gift bags. These items were hand-delivered to divisions for distribution to employees as an end-of-the-year token of appreciation.

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Debra Johnson

Debra's Quote of the Week

“We often think that there is just one way to look at things – the way we always have. In fact, there are an infinite number of ways to look at most everything. An open mind allows for a multitude of perspectives from which to choose in any given moment.”


– Jeffrey R. Anderson

 
 
 
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