RTD connects with community through more than 160 events in 2025
RTD’s Community Engagement team works to increase ridership through transit-focused education in RTD’s communities. In 2025, the team participated in 167 ridership education events, interacting directly with more than 17,000 customers and community members. Some of the most popular events included the Rockies home opener and the Parade of Lights.
Brandon Figliolino, Community Engagement Manager, and Austin Nettleton, Senior Specialist, Public Relations, walk with Dinger to the Rockies home opener in April.
“My favorite ridership education event took place when RTD collaborated with the International Rescue Committee to teach refugees and new arrivals how to use public transportation earlier this summer,” said Gabriel Martinez, Community Engagement Specialist. “When a person first comes to a new country, there’s so much to do: job search, take kids to school, go to medical appointments, and more. Showing newcomers how to use public transportation was one of the best ways to empower someone starting a new life here.”
Community Engagement Specialist Gabriel Martinez teaches newcomers how to purchase RTD tickets from a vending machine at the Colorado Station.
Promoting Zero Fare for Youth has been a key objective of the Community Engagement team this year. Youth Engagement Specialist Taylor Curtis educated more than 11,000 youth about the program, which allows customers ages 19 and younger to ride RTD services at no cost.
"The 9th Grade Academy at East High was a standout moment for me this year!” said Curtis. “Training all 600 incoming freshmen students on how to use transit to get to school was a big lift. Seeing students leave feeling more confident, independent, and ready to navigate their commute was something that makes our team proud."
Taylor Curtis, Youth Engagement Specialist, educates incoming 9th graders at Denver’s East High School about RTD services and the Zero Fare for Youth program.
Youth Engagement Specialist Taylor Curtis (center left) led more than 30 RTD employees in the 2025 Parade of Lights.
To request an appearance by RTD’s Community Engagement team, visit the RTD webpage. Follow RTD on social media afor event recaps and to learn more about our work.