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SB26-150 would implement the recommendations from the RTD Accountability Committee
DENVER, CO – The House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee today passed legislation to modernize and improve the Regional Transportation District (RTD). SB26-150, sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Jamie Jackson, passed on a vote of 9-4.
“RTD reform has been a big priority for me in the legislature, and I am excited that we are taking a big step to create a more robust and reliable transit system,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “The RTD Accountability Committee did a terrific job recommending necessary changes so we can create safe, accessible public transit across the Denver Metro Area. This bill implements recommendations from the committee to deliver on Colorado’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and get Coloradans where they need to go.”
“Working people deserve high-quality transit systems, which is why we’re bringing this bill to improve mass transit safety, reliability and accessibility,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “The unfortunate reality is that RTD isn’t delivering, and after many years of waiting for improvements, time is up and Coloradans are rightly out of patience. We must reform RTD’s leadership to get this agency on the right track. Mass transit plays an important role in reaching our climate goals, saving Coloradans money on transportation and creating transit-oriented housing. This legislation will make changes to better align RTD with the needs of our communities.”
SB26-150 would make a number of changes to the RTD board in order to create a governing board that is more functional and well-equipped to make decisions in pursuit of a world-class transit system. These changes include:
Reducing the current 15-member board to nine, increasing efficiency and bringing it in line with the majority of transit boards in the country;
Preserving five seats up for election, ensuring that the majority of the board remains democratically elected;
Making the remaining four seats at-large appointments, ensuring that the board will have expertise in finance, land use, transportation planning, disproportionately impacted communities, and/or labor;
Requiring one of the board members to be appointed in consultation with the Denver Regional Council of Governments and at least one board member to be an Amalgamated Transit Union member, guaranteeing that the voices of local governments and labor are represented;
Raising board and chairperson salaries to attract high-quality candidates; and
Increasing structure and clarity for the board by requiring that specific authorities and responsibilities be set for each board member.
New RTD districts would be drawn in advance of the 2028 election, creating an entirely new board by January 1, 2029, with plans in place to achieve staggered turnover of the board starting in 2031. Additionally, the bill would require that RTD complete a study and adopt a plan for implementing improved paratransit services by December 31, 2027.
The bill would also require a review of the new RTD board structure after 15 years, guaranteeing a review of the new structure to assess its effectiveness over time, including representation, expertise, ridership, and financial performance.
The RTD Accountability Committee was created by SB25-161, also sponsored by Rep. Froelich. As a result of the bill, the Committee delivered its recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor Polis earlier this year.