Use of RTD Facilities Policy
Purpose
This Policy defines the activities that RTD expressly permits and prohibits at our facilities,
along with the requirements for a use permit, vendor license or lease.
"RTD Facilities," as used in this Policy, means any real property owned or controlled by
RTD, including the airspace above such property, to the extent of RTD's rights therein,
and accessible to the public, including but not limited to transit centers, bus and light rail
stations and Park-n-Rides.
"RTD Facilities," as used in this Policy, does not include the following:
- Commercial space on RTD property that is normally subject to a lease or permanent
or semi-permanent use agreement is between RTD and the lessee or licensee;
- Newsracks are subject to RTD's separate Newsrack Policy; and
- Space normally reserved for paid advertising is subject to RTD's Advertising Policy.
Permitted activities at RTD Facilities
RTD representatives shall not prohibit expressive activity on or in RTD facilities, subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions that protect the public health or safety or
that concern the provision of transit service, the flow of traffic on or in RTD Facilities or
that interferes with the safe and efficient operation of RTD facilities.
The following activities are permitted at RTD facilities excluding the interior spaces of
Market Street Station, Civic Center Station, Boulder Terminal and train platforms, subject
to the requirements for any RTD-issued use permit or vendor license, if required, and
provided that such activities do not interfere or impede transit activities or otherwise
involve prohibited behavior:
- Public speaking, demonstrations, picketing, campaigning, leafleting, petitioning or
distribution of written, non-Commercial or promotional materials;
- Artistic performances;
- Solicitation for religious, social or political causes
Any person using RTD facilities for non-transit activities permitted pursuant to this Policy
does so at his or her own risk and RTD assumes no liability by issuance of this Policy.
Prohibited behavior at RTD facilities
- No person shall perform any act that interferes with or may tend to interfere with
the provision of transit service, obstructs or may tend to obstruct the flow of traffic
on or in RTD facilities or interferes with or may tend to interfere with the safe and
efficient operation of RTD facilities. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to,
amplified sound that interferes with announcements or is otherwise disruptive to
transit activities.
- No person shall violate local, state or federal laws, rules, regulations or ordinances,
including but not limited to Theft of Public Transportation Services, C.R.S. § 18-4-
802; Hindering Transportation, C.R.S. § 18-9-114; Endangering Public
Transportation, C.R.S. § 18-9-115; and Throwing Missiles at Vehicles, C.R.S. § 18-
9-116. Such prohibited behavior includes conduct that causes physical harm,
jeopardizes public or individual safety, or creates a reasonable apprehension of
imminent physical harm.
- No person shall restrict reasonable access to or from RTD facilities, including but
not limited to elevators, escalators, stairways, doorways, walkways, windows,
wheelchair high blocks, ramps, bus stops, ticket vending machines, ticket counters,
light rail platforms, and transit vehicle interior space.
- No person shall engage in activities that require a use permit or vendor license, as
specified in this Policy, without such permit or license.
- No person shall solicit from transit passengers who are not reasonably free to leave,
e.g. while waiting at a bus stop or light rail station or waiting in line to purchase
transit passes.
- No person shall bring alcoholic beverages on or in RTD facilities, except as
specifically allowed by RTD.
- No person shall damage or permanently alter RTD property; no ropes shall be
anchored to any elevated surface; and no stakes shall be driven into the surface of
RTD property or any appurtenance thereto.
- Any and all materials, including equipment, trash, and recycling, that are brought
onto RTD property by any person shall be removed upon such person's departure.
- No person shall falsely misrepresent himself or herself, through words, signs,
leaflets, attire or otherwise, as an agent, employee, affiliate, or representative of
RTD.
- No person shall interfere with any construction, renovation or maintenance being
performed on or in RTD Facilities. All persons shall obey any directions or signage
prohibiting access to certain areas due to construction, renovation or maintenance.
- No person shall post or adhere any sign, poster, notice, advertisement, leaflet or
written matter to any RTD facilities without the express written permission of RTD.
- No person shall post or leave any leaflet, paper, or written material on vehicles
parked on or at RTD facilities.
- No person shall engage in activity that is obscene, defamatory, or consists of
fighting words or specific threats of serious bodily injury. No person shall incite
imminent lawless action.
- No person shall engage in commercial activity, public speaking, demonstrations,
picketing, campaigning, leafleting, petitioning or distribution of written, noncommercial
materials, artistic performances, and solicitation for religious, social or
political causes, or other organized activity in the interior spaces of Market Street
Station, Civic Center Station or Boulder Terminal.
- On light rail platforms, no person shall engage in organized activity utilizing any
equipment placed on the ground, such as tables, chairs, boxes, or coolers, or
involving more than two people.
Use Permits
A use permit is required for daily use of RTD facilities for non-commercial activities at RTD
transit centers, Park-n-Rides, light rail stations (not platforms), bus stops and Denver Union
Station, if the activity involves one of the following:
- The activity is directed at broad public participation that reasonably could involve a
gathering of more than 5 people at any one time; or
- The activity requires any equipment be placed on the ground, such as tables,
chairs, boxes, or coolers; or
- The activity is a private gathering that reasonably anticipates more than 5 people in
attendance.
Use permits are not available for the interior spaces at Market Street Station, Civic Center
Station and Boulder Terminal.
Use permits are issued by RTD's Property Management Office and are granted on a firstcome, first-served basis according to availability and the operational requirements of the property.
Procedure to Obtain a Daily Use Permit
A Request for a Daily Use Permit form is available here on RTD's website, RTD's Blake Street
office, and from RTD's Real Property group. The entity or individual requesting a daily use
permit must submit this form to RTD Real Property Management by mail to 1560
Broadway, Suite 650, Denver CO 80202, or by fax to 303.299.2116. Failure to
complete the form may result in refusal to issue a permit. The completed form must be
submitted at least 15 business days before the date of the activity that is the subject of
the permit requested.
Questions regarding use permits should be directed to RTD Property Management at
303.299.2440.
Terms
Any use permit issued by RTD will not be denied based on the content of the activity or
expression but may be subject to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions as
follows:
- RTD's Real Property Manager, RTD's General Counsel's office and RTD's Safety,
Security and Facilities department, RTD's Bus or Rail Operations, and RTD's
Assistant General Manager for Planning and Development must approve the permit.
- The permittee must agree to indemnify and hold RTD harmless from and against all
actions, demands, claims, costs or losses, including but not limited to allegations of
negligence against RTD, for injury to persons and/or property arising out of or
resulting from the use of RTD premises by the permittee, its employees, agents,
invitees and/or licensees.
- The permittee must obtain and demonstrate to RTD proof of liability insurance in
the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, covering at a minimum its
obligations stated in this Policy.
- The permittee must agree not to engage in any of the behavior prohibited at RTD
facilities, as stated in this Policy.
- When the activities allowed by the use permit have concluded, the permittee must
clean up and remove all trash and other equipment from the premises.
- The permittee must maintain RTD facilities in good condition and repair any
damage or destruction of property.
- The permit also may contain other reasonable time, place and manner restrictions
specific to the activities involved.
- A venue fee will be required if food or drinks are served. A deposit will be required
if it is reasonably anticipated that the planned activities may require additional
cleaning services by RTD.
- A permit will be only for those activities and for the time period specifically stated
in the permit.
- RTD may revoke any permit if the activities performed at RTD facilities violate the
activities specifically prohibited by this Policy, pose a danger to public safety, or
unreasonably interfere with RTD operations.
- Use permits are non-transferable.
Appeal of a Denial of a Request for a Daily Use Permit
Any appeal or protest of a decision to deny a request for a daily use permit shall be made
within two business days, in writing, stating "Appeal/Protest of Denial for Use Permit, Attn: Real Property Manager" or by fax at 303.299.2116. RTD's Real
Property Manager shall have the sole authority to interpret and apply this
Policy and procedure.
Vendor licenses, multi-day and special events
RTD's Property Management Office also handles requests for vendor licenses, multi-day,
ongoing, or recurring use of RTD Facilities and other special events. Any inquiries for
vendor licenses or special events should contact RTD's Property Management Office at
303.299.2440 or by fax at 303.299.2116.
A vendor license is required for any commercial activity. Commercial activity includes (1)
the advertising, display, sale, lease, offer for sale or lease, or distribution of food, goods,
services or entertainment and (2) the solicitation of money or payment for food, goods,
services or entertainment.
In addition, certain areas of Denver Union Station and other property owned by RTD may
be available for special events. Multi-day, ongoing, or recurring use of RTD Facilities and
other special events involving an entire venue require a specific license, lease or other
written agreement with RTD.
