RTD announces Zero Fare to Vote days to support voter participation

Take RTD services at no cost to reach voting centers and ballot boxes on National Vote Early Day, Oct. 24, and Election Day, Nov. 3

DENVER (Oct. 22, 2026) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD)will offer zero fares systemwide on all bus and rail services, as well as paratransit and FlexRide services on National Vote Early Day, Saturday, Oct. 24, and Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. The no-cost fares are intended to make ballot drop boxes and voting centers more accessible.

Voters can plan their trips using the dedicated “Plan a Trip to Vote” page available at app.rtd-denver.com/vote and through the RTD homepage. Visitors to the homepage can scroll to the “Find voting locations near you” section to begin planning their trip. The trip-planning tool allows customers to select “Drop Box”, “Early Voting”, and “Open Now” to view voting center or ballot drop box locations.

Customers also can select the “Vote” flag icon from the NextRide web app to view polling centers and drop box locations. Ballot drop box and polling locations are based on information provided by the Colorado Secretary of State’s office.

“Providing zero-fare transit on election and early voting days makes it easier for people to reach polling places and ballot drop-off locations,” RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “The team and I take great pride in supporting voters as they take part in this important civic responsibility.”

National Vote Early Day is a nonpartisan effort to raise awareness about available early voting options and to encourage early voting. This year, National Vote Early Day falls on a Saturday, when select polling centers may be closed. Customers are encouraged to first confirm their polling centers’ hours of operation before embarking on their journeys. Voters can still take advantage of zero-cost fares and utilize RTD’s services to reach a ballot drop box.

Voters turning in ballots after Oct. 26 – the last recommended day to return ballots by mail – can deliver their ballot in person at a drop box location. Colorado voters can find their nearest ballot drop box or voting center by visiting GoVoteColorado.gov and use the NextRide web app and select the "Vote" icon to find the best route. Voters can look up polling center locations, open dates and hours at GoVoteColorado.gov. Eligible voters must have returned their ballot to a drop box or voting center, or be in line to vote by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, for their ballot to be counted.

Colorado voters can visit GoVoteColorado.gov to: 

• Register to vote or update their voter registration 
• Find their local county clerk and recorder’s office 
• Find a nearby ballot drop box or voting center 
• Sign up to track their ballot using BallotTrax 
• Find accurate election information 

RTD first offered two Zero Fare to Vote days in 2022 to make it even easier for voters to participate in general elections. In 2024, the agency’s Board of Directors approved the two zero-fare days for future general election National Vote Early and General Election days.