DBE/SBE Program
Supporting small and disadvantaged businesses
What is the DBE/SBE Program?
The RTD Small Business Office's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Small Business Enterprise (DBE/SBE) Program creates a level playing field, removing barriers and assisting in the development of businesses like yours. We are focused on building a stronger Colorado economy by certifying firms, ensuring compliance of goals set, and providing training so DBE/SBEs can grow and thrive in this competitive industry. The Small Business Office is part of RTD's Civil Rights Division.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
- Established to accommodate historically under-utilized businesses
- Goals set for federally funded projects with subcontracting potential
- Certification granted through the State of Colorado
Small Business Enterprise
- Established to accommodate small businesses in a race-neutral and gender-neutral framework
- Goals set for locally funded projects with subcontracting potential
- Certification granted through RTD
- Eligible firms are classified by personal net worth and average gross receipts
DBE/SBE certification
When competing for contracts, an SBE certificate accompanied with a DBE certificate is key to gaining a competitive edge. Firms should seek certification for all programs they qualify for, as individual contracting opportunities may have established goals for SBEs, DBEs or both.
Become certifiedOnce you have been certified, check our current solicitations for business opportunities and get on our bidders list.
More about DBE/SBE
The DBE/SBE Program was established by RTD to foster equal opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses by reducing unnecessary obstacles that prevent growth.
Read the DBE Program Policy StatementIn accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal which represents the percentage of work to be accomplished by DBE prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and material suppliers for professional services, construction and procurement contracts on federal-aid transit projects and grants during the Federal Fiscal Years of 2020-2022, beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2022. The overall proposed DBE goal for FFY 2020-2022 is 20.3%. The DBE Goal Methodology and all information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Executive Offices located at 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice. Written comments of this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the RTD Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Regions VII and VIII, Byron Rogers Federal Building – 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, Colorado 80202.
In accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal which represents the percentage of work to be accomplished by DBE prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and material suppliers for professional services, construction and procurement contracts on federal-aid transit projects and grants during the Federal Fiscal Years of 2020-2022, beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2022. The overall proposed DBE goal for FFY 2020-2022 is 20.3%. The DBE Goal Methodology and all information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Executive Offices located at 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice. Written comments of this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the RTD Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Regions VII and VIII, Byron Rogers Federal Building – 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, Colorado 80202.
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Network news
May 2019
Read RTD's 2020-2022 DBE Goal NoticeIn accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal which represents the percentage of work to be accomplished by DBE prime contractors, subcontractors, consultants, vendors and material suppliers for professional services, construction and procurement contracts on federal-aid transit projects and grants during the Federal Fiscal Years of 2020-2022, beginning October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2022. The overall proposed DBE goal for FFY 2020-2022 is 20.3%. The DBE Goal Methodology and all information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Executive Offices located at 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the publication of this notice. Written comments of this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the RTD Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Regions VII and VIII, Byron Rogers Federal Building – 1961 Stout Street, Suite 13-301, Denver, Colorado 80202.
June 2016
Read RTD's 2017-2019 DBE Goal NoticeIn accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation as set forth in 49 C.F.R. Part 26, as amended, the Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colorado, hereby notifies the public that it is recommending the following Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for applicable professional services, construction and procurement contracts during Fiscal Years of 2017-2019, beginning October 1, 2017 and ending September 30, 2019. The overall total DBE goal for Fiscal Year 2017-2019 is 24%. Information pertaining to this goal and a description of how it was selected is available for inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) at the Regional Transportation District Administrative Offices, 1660 Blake Street, Denver, Colorado 80202 for 30 calendar days following the date of publication of this notice. Written comments on this goal will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. The comments are for informational purposes only and may be sent to the Civil Rights Division, same address, AND to the Regional Civil Rights Officer, Federal Transit Administration, Region 8, Byron Rogers Federal Building, 1961 Stout Street, Denver, CO 80202.
Dec 2015
- WIN Honors USDOT Secretary Foxx During Visit
- New Fare Policies Take Effect
- RTD's Senior Leadership Connects with Small Business Owners
- ADA Office Reaches Out at Auraria Campus Festival
- FasTracks Update: University of Colorado A Line Opening April 22
- Solicitation Opportunities
Spotlight
RTD asset managers, Gilmore Construction join Winners Circle
Honorees ‘spotlighted’ for helping workers see long-term benefits of transit careers.
Read moreRTD FasTracks Small Business Success Story
The RTD Civil Rights Division’s Small Business Office would like to present the RTD FasTracks Small Business Success Story. This is a commemorative video to capture the outstanding accomplishments and success stories of small, minority, disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses that helped build RTD’s multi-modal expansion project known as FasTracks.