RTD expands elevator program for safe, welcoming transit experience at stations

Reprogrammed elevator doors cut calls for service related to unwanted activity and elevator maintenance by up to 77% as RTD expands the initiative to 16 stations systemwide

DENVER (July 9, 2026) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has expanded its proven Customer Experience Elevator Program to seven more locations in 2026, building on the program’s success in reducing unwanted behavior and maintenance calls. Reprogramming public elevator doors to remain open when not in use significantly deters security-related calls and criminal activities at RTD stations – in many cases by more than 50%. The effort supports employee and community safety for a secure and welcoming transit experience.

The program launched in March 2024 as a 90-day pilot at three high-usage light rail stations—Colorado, Nine Mile, and Southmoor—spearheaded by the RTD Transit Police Department (RTD-PD). After clear reductions in customer complaints, maintenance issues, and overall calls for service, RTD expanded the program throughout 2025, reaching 10 total stations by year’s end.

Through June 2026, RTD has added seven more locations to the program: Arapahoe at Village Center, County Line, Dayton, Dry Creek, Lincoln, Thornton Crossroads•104th Avenue, and – not included in the original pilot – the parking garage at Nine Mile Station. The agency will continue to expand the program throughout this year.

“RTD is immensely pleased that the Customer Experience Elevator Program continues to deliver reduced overall incidents and calls for service at the locations,” said RTD-PD Chief of Police and Emergency Management Steve Martingano. “Our goal continues to be to employ tactics that will support a transit environment that is a welcoming, convenient, and enjoyable experience for all customers. The program demonstrates the effectiveness of environmental design tactics that RTD-PD has implemented across the district and contributes to the overall efforts across the system to further enhance safety.”

“By reprogramming the elevator doors to remain open when not in use, we’ve significantly improved security at our stations,” added RTD Manager of Facilities Maintenance Sean Moran. “This simple operational change has created a cleaner and more secure environment for customers and maintenance staff alike. The RTD Facilities team remains committed to partnering with Transit Police to implement improvements that keep the system accessible and a more welcoming transit environment for everyone.”

RTD stations year-over-year: reprogramming reduces calls for service

Year-over-year results from RTD’s elevator reprogramming strategy continue to support a safer, cleaner, and welcoming transit experience for our community. Sheridan, Lakewood•Wadsworth, Colfax, and Florida experienced the largest reductions in reports of unwanted behavior or criminal activity.

Results from June 2024-September 2025 reprogramming

• Sheridan Station experienced a 77% reduction in overall calls for service, which includes reports of unwanted activity and illicit drug activity, as well as maintenance-related calls. Prior to the elevator reprogramming, RTD received 570 calls for service in 2024 compared to 127 calls in 2025.
• Lakewood•Wadsworth Station experienced a 76% decrease in reports of illicit drug activity, decreasing from 414 reports in 2024 to 96 in 2025 to 18 through May 2026, the latest data available. Reprogramming this station also resulted in a 62% reduction in calls for service dropping from 2024 (852) to 2025 (316). This location also experienced a significant drop in maintenance calls – 55% – decreasing in 2024 (128) to 2025 (57). 

Year-over-year results depict safer stations

• Colfax Station experienced an almost 45% reduction in calls for service decreasing in 2024 (567) to 2025 (312). Reports of illicit drug activity dropped by 55% comparing 2024 (213) compared with 2025 (94).
• With fewer than 10 calls prior to reprogramming, the Jefferson County Government Center•Golden Station continued to experience low service-related calls and no calls reporting illicit drug activity from 2024 to 2026.

Results from October 2025 reprogramming 

• Florida Station experienced a 50% reduction in calls for service, dropping from 2024 (333) to 2025 (166). Reports of illicit drug activity also dropped 73% from 2024 (84) to 2025 (22). Maintenance calls decreased from 2024 (64) to 2025 (21) and through May 2026 – the latest data available – the location has logged four maintenance calls. 

Year-over-year comparison of elevator reprogramming

• US 36 & Broomfield Station elevator reprogramming led to a 25% reduction in calls for service, decreasing from 2024 (40) to 2025 (30). 

Results from December 2025 reprogramming 

• RidgeGate Station experienced a 50% reduction in calls for service from 2024 to 2025 and a reduction from three to no reports of narcotics activity during that same period. 

How RTD selects locations

Elevator reprogramming is based on security-related and maintenance data analyzed by the Transit Police Department and the elevator model’s capability for reprogramming. Taking approximately 90 minutes to two hours per elevator at a cost of $436.08 per hour, the program is an affordable investment for contributing to the community’s sense of safety and reduced calls for maintenance and service.

Looking ahead

RTD owns and operates 79 public-facing elevators and will continue to broaden the program beyond the 17 locations reprogrammed to date. By the end of summer, RTD anticipates extending the program to include University, Orchard, and Belleview stations, with further reprogramming planned at Louisiana•Pearl and US 36 & McCaslin stations. More stations remain under consideration contingent upon the ability to reprogram other elevator models.

Crime prevention by design

The elevator program is part of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) – an initiative RTD has undertaken since 2022 across the agency’s entire service area. Related efforts include upgrading lights, installing TV monitors that display security feeds as well as smoke detectors in public restrooms. CPTED is a multi-faceted approach to reducing crime and deterring offenders at stations, stops, and facilities.

“The program demonstrates the environmental design tactics that RTD-PD is employing provide significant benefits and are replicable to other locations. We’re deploying these efforts across our transit environment to continue enhancing security for our customers and employees,” said Martingano.

For more information about the Customer Experience Elevator Program, visit here. To learn about the dozens of tactics RTD is employing for a Welcoming Transit Environment, visit the Safety and Security page here.