RTD announces Lili Tran as new chief people officer
DENVER (Dec. 22, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has selected Lili Tran as the agency’s new chief people officer (CPO) following a nationwide search. Tran brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources involving public service, public safety, and nonprofit sectors primarily in Denver and Colorado Springs. She has extensive experience in highly regulated, public-facing, unionized environments, and a proven record of strengthening skilled workforces and building productive labor partnerships. Tran will officially join RTD on Jan. 5, 2026. She fills the role following the departure of the agency’s previous CPO earlier this month.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to serve as chief people officer at RTD. Our dedicated employees are the driving force behind our mission of making lives better through connections,” said Tran. “I am committed to equipping every member of our team with the resources, training, and support necessary to advance that mission by providing safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation services that serve our communities across the Denver metro area."
Most recently, Tran served as chief of staff for Denver Rescue Mission, where she led a transformative campaign to elevate employee experience, including initiatives that reduced overall employee turnover. Previously, she served as chief human resources officer for the Colorado Department of Human Services and led statewide negotiations for the Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWINS) collective bargaining agreement representing 27,000 employees, the first agreement of its kind in Colorado state government. Tran also worked for the City and County of Denver as director of human resources for public safety, overseeing more than 7,000 civilian and sworn employees while successfully managing labor relations and negotiations across six collective bargaining agreements.
Tran holds a Master of Business Administration, with dual concentrations in HR management and leadership, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, both from the University of Colorado. She holds three professional certifications, Society for Human Resource Management, Human Resources Certification Institute, and Public Sector Human Resources Association. Tran is also a member of the SHRM Executive Network. Outside of her executive roles, Tran is deeply committed to civic engagement and mentorship through her work on the El Pomar Emerging Leaders Program’s Asian American Advisory Council and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs School of Business Career Coaching Program.