RTD Celebrates Hispanic-Latine Heritage Month Sept. 15

Hispanic Heritage Week was established in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to honor the traditions, cultures and impact of Americans with ancestry in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Two decades later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation expanding the observance to a full month, stretching from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Oct. 12, known across much of Latin America as Día de la Raza, adds further significance as a day honoring the blending of Indigenous, African and European heritage.

RTD recognizes that public transit serves as a vehicle of justice—connecting communities to opportunity, ensuring access for all and carrying forward the values of equity that strengthen our region.

Leaders and Legacy

The artwork by Dez Merworth highlights the legacies of Hispanic and Latine changemakers whose work inspires transit equity and social justice today:

• Sylvia Rivera, a Puerto Rican–Venezuelan American activist, fought fearlessly for LGBTQ+ and transgender rights.
• Sonia Pierre, a Haitian Dominican human rights leader, challenged systemic exclusion and advocated for fair treatment.
• Daphne Frias, a Dominican American youth activist with cerebral palsy who advocates for disability rights and climate justice.
• Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, championed labor rights and dignity for workers.
• Carlos Santana, a Mexican-born musician, broke barriers with his fusion of cultures in sound.
• Roberto Clemente, Puerto Rican baseball legend and humanitarian.
• Martina Arroyo, an Afro–Puerto Rican opera singer, expanded representation in the arts.

Champions of Transportation Equity

• Federico Peña, the first Hispanic mayor of Denver and later U.S. Secretary of Transportation, ensured that investments in mobility expanded opportunities for underserved communities, laying the foundation for more equitable access in cities nationwide.
• Flora Castillo is the first Latina to serve as Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) from 2012 to 2013. Through her advocacy, she has advanced policies that prioritize accessibility, sustainability and inclusion.

Celebrate in Denver

In honor of Hispanic-Latine Heritage Month, RTD encourages employees and community members to celebrate resilience and culture by participating in local events:

• Unapologetically Chicano (Sept.5.-Oct.24): Presented by the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC), this exhibit showcases vibrant Chicano artistry and heritage.

• Yo Soy: Mariposas Sin Fronteras (Sept.13-Oct. 15):A Denver Botanic Gardens initiative blending art, storytelling and community connection.
• Latin Beats: Sonidos de las Americas(7 p.m. Sept. 25): – The Mexican Cultural Center and Colorado Symphony present a free concert celebrating Latin culture’s influence on music in the Americas.
• Shop at Hijos Del Sol Boutique: Support Latino artisans at the Latino Cultural Arts Center. Twenty-five percent of sales fund Latin Cultural Arts Center (LCAC) programs and events.

Tying Heritage to Transit Equity

RTD celebrates Hispanic Latine Heritage Month by honoring their legacies and recognizing that transit is more than a service — it is a civil right. Accessible buses, equitable service distribution, multilingual communication and community partnerships ensure that every customer can rely on RTD to connect them to the people, places and opportunities that shape their lives.