High-Volume Events

What is a high-volume event?

High-volume events are activities that attract a large number of attendees within a concentrated area and timeframe. This surge in people results in an increased demand for transportation and requires effective crowd management. High-volume events can include concerts, sporting games, festivals, parades, and other major activities that significantly impact travel patterns and necessitate coordinated, pre-planning efforts and operational plans.

Pre-Planning Efforts

When preparing for high-volume events, RTD takes several operational factors into consideration. From the start and end times of events and the expected number of attendees to the venue’s location and infrastructure constraints, the agency uses several factors to determine the number of staff and transit vehicles required to deliver service. RTD also regularly monitors several metro area calendars and venue schedules to flag events that are slated to take place near bus stops and rail stations. Staff then compiles a multi-month lookahead calendar to develop event-specific operational plans.

At RTD, supplemental service for high-volume events refers to additional transit trips or vehicles deployed to meet increased customer demand. These operational plans build on RTD’s regular service levels, with the extent of supplemental services determined by available staff and resources. Based on anticipated crowd sizes and transit usage, RTD may lengthen trains, stage extra vehicles for quick deployment, dispatch support staff to manage crowds, add signage and temporary barriers to assist with queuing, and employ a range of communication tactics to keep customers informed.

RTD considers several operational factors when preparing for high-volume events:

• The start and end times
• The venue's proximity to transit stops and stations
• Simultaneous events occurring across the metro area
• Anticipated attendance
• Number of staff and transit vehicles required
• Infrastructure constraints (e.g., station size and rail signal and power)

Customer Support

RTD provides several tools and resources to assist customers attending high-volume events in the Denver metro area. In addition to friendly and helpful operators and on-site staff, here's a list of five tips:

1. Plan ahead, be patient, and prepare for large crowds
2. Sign up for Service Alerts
3. Check RTD's website for bus and rail schedules
4. Download the RTD Transit Watch app to report any safety or security issues
5. Customer Care agents are available seven days a week by calling 303.299.6000 

Board Resolution

On October 28, 2025, RTD's Board adopted a resolution focused on enhancing high-volume event services. The resolution outlines several requirements for creating the plan, including the necessary staffing levels and financial resources, revenue projection estimates, sponsorship opportunities, and a marketing strategy. The plan must also adhere to all federal regulations and requirements. Work on creating the plan has commenced, and the full plan will be shared with RTD’s Board in February 2026.

The Board anticipates taking action related to the details of the comprehensive plan in March, and if adopted, any approved operational adjustments or service level increases would begin in May 2026.