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SB26-150 would implement the recommendations from the RTD Accountability Committee
DENVER, CO – The House 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 39-26.
“Our bill is about providing a strong transit system for all parts of the metro area for workers, youth, seniors and people with disabilities,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “RTD has unfortunately not been able to bounce back since the pandemic the way that other transit agencies around the country have, and it is clear that change is needed to deliver reliable transit for Coloradans. Thanks to the help of the RTD Accountability Committee, we are reimagining the Denver Metro Area’s transit system to provide transit that hardworking people can depend on.”
“This bill is about ensuring that our regional transit system actually works for the people who rely on it,” said Rep. Jamie Jackson, D-Aurora. “As the Denver Metro Area expands, it is crucial that we have a transit system that meets the needs of our growing communities. This bill would implement a long-term plan to improve para-transit services, modernize the RTD board to be more effective and strengthen accountability to rebuild Coloradans’ trust.”
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 develop 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 elected seats up for election, ensuring that the majority of the board remains democratically elected;
Making the remaining four seats at-large appointments by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, 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 efficiency 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. Current board members and those elected in the 2026 election would continue to serve until the 2028 election. 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.
Additionally, the bill would require that RTD commission a study and adopt a plan for implementing improved paratransit services by December 31, 2027. The study must include a needs assessment and analysis of current service for riders with disabilities, an assessment of barriers faced by paratransit riders, and measurable performance metrics to measure progress.
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.