Service Delivery

RTD provides connections to Independence weekend events

Pauline Haberman

Service will operate on a holiday schedule; customers are encouraged to check schedules 

DENVER (July 1, 2026) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD)is preparing for a packed weekend of events over Independence weekend as fans head downtown to attend major concerts and holiday events, including Ed Sheeran at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Deadbeats Backyard Jamboree at the Tivoli, Rockies games, fireworks, and drone shows.

Bus stops and rail stations are located near major downtown event venues, making public transit a safe and convenient way to attend the events. In anticipation of large crowds downtown, additional Transit Police and security personnel will be deployed across the system, with an increased presence at bus stops and rail stations.

RTD encourages customers to use the agency’s NextRide trip planning tool and type their event location into the destination field. RTD’s trip planner will show all transit options from a customer’s current location to the event. The navigation feature will list all train lines and bus routes, along with departure times, from the user’s location. Some key weekend events include:

Friday, July 3: Fireworks display after the Colorado Rockies game. Sunset Cinema, a free, outdoor movie series held at Sculpture Park in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, followed by a drone show, and a free, indoor Independence Eve concert at Boettcher Concert Hall in place of the annual outdoor event at Civic Center, which is under construction this year. RSVPs are encouraged at artscomplex.com/events. RTD will be operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Friday, July 3.

Saturday, July 4: Fireworks display after the Rockies game, Ed Sheeran concert at Empower Field at Mile High stadium with a grand finale fireworks show, and Deadbeats Backyard Jamboree at the Tivoli on the Auraria campus

Sunday, July 5: Don Toliver concert at Ball Arena

Rail Service
RTD provides service on the C, E and W lines, which connect to Auraria West, Empower Field at Mile High, Ball Arena, and Union stations, as well as on the A, B, G, and N lines, which also serve Union Station. RTD will add rail cars to the C, E, W, and N lines on Friday and Saturday, July 3-4, to accommodate expected increased ridership during downtown events including the Rockies games with fireworks at Coors Field, and the Ed Sheeran concert at Empower Field.

Last trains from Union Station on Friday, July 3 (holiday schedule):

Commuter rail platform

A Line: 12:30 a.m.

B Line: 11:09 p.m.

G Line: 12:01 a.m.

N Line: 10:26 p.m.

Light rail platform

C Line: 11:48 p.m.

E Line: 11:26 p.m.

W Line: 11:21 p.m.

Last trains from Union Station on Saturday, July 4 (regular Saturday schedule):

Commuter rail platform

A Line: 1 a.m.

B Line: 11:09 p.m.

G Line: 12:01 a.m.

N Line: 11:56 p.m.

Light rail platform

C Line: 1:48 a.m.

E Line: 1:56 a.m.

W Line: 1:51 a.m.

Check the RTD website or NextRide app for service times. Customers are encouraged to be patient and prepare for large crowds, especially following the events.

Bus Service
Empower Field at Mile High Stadium: Several local bus routes are available to accommodate customers attending Friday’s concert. Bus routes operating in the vicinity of Empower Field at Mile High Stadium include Route 30 (South Federal Boulevard) and Route 31 (North Federal Boulevard), as well as Routes 1, 15L, and 16.

Customers looking for an easy transfer to the C, E, or W lines at Denver Union Station can use the Flatiron Flyer and local Routes 0, 9, 10, 15, 20, and 32.

Parking

RTD’s Park-n-Rides provide easy and convenient access to reach downtown events by public transit. A full list of Park-n-Rides across the metro area is available online.

Helpful Tips

  • Be patient and prepare for large crowds, including on platforms, trains, and buses
  • Sign up for Service Alerts to receive information on detours, delays, and cancellations
  • Skip the line at ticket vending machines – download the RTD MyRide app and purchase a Day Pass online or use RTD’s new Tap-n-Ride contactless payment. Simply tap a Visa or Mastercard credit, debit, prepaid card, or mobile wallet directly on a validator to pay your fare and ride.
  • Check the RTD website before you travel for real-time schedules and to plan your trip
  • For additional route and schedule information, call RTD Customer Care at 303.299.6000. For Spanish, press 1. For all other languages, press 8 and tell the agent which language you speak. Translation support is available in over 200 languages. Agents are available 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • Report safety and security concerns 24/7 to RTD Transit Watch by contacting Transit Police in three convenient ways:
  • Elert form on RTD website: https://go.elerts.com/rtd?ref=WEBSITE
  • Call: 303.299.2911
  • Text: 303.434.9100
Written by Pauline Haberman