RTD Hidden Gems - Bus Route 32
Lifelong transit enthusiast and high school senior, Jackson Ledesma, breaks down why he considers five of RTD’s bus routes to be hidden gems – routes worth being a part of one’s travel.
Read on for the first in the series: RTD hidden gems – Top 5 bus routes for taking a trip.
Route 32 – West 32nd Avenue
Civic Center Station to Olde Town Arvada Station
Downtown - Highlands - West Highlands - Wheat Ridge – Arvada
Route 32 is one of the jewels of northwest Denver. Originally launched in March 1978 to connect downtown Denver to Stapleton Airport, it took its current form in 2020, running between downtown and west Denver. The route connects diverse communities across northwest Denver, from Olde Town Arvada and Wheat Ridge, through the dense streetcar suburbs of the West Highlands, Highlands, LoHi, and into downtown.
When taking Route 32, I can connect from routes at Civic Center Station or Union Station—both conveniently located along the route’s origin downtown—and ride up through LoHi and towards West Highlands. It would be remiss not to hop off at Platte Street and enjoy the seasonal Platte Valley Trolley, which operates along the riverbank to the Downtown Aquarium and even farther to Empower Field.
Further along the route, the 32 stops conveniently near the original Little Man Ice Cream. The locally renowned ice cream shop features a variety of tempting flavors and sits beside an iconic 28-foot tall 1950s-era milk can that oozes nostalgia.
Just across Federal Boulevard, Route 32 circulates through the West Highland neighborhood, making stops at Julian, Meade and Osceola streets. The route is a great way to explore either the seasonal Highlands Farmers Market along 32nd Avenue or enjoy international cuisine at Highland Square.
The 32 also provides quick and convenient travel to North High School, stopping at the end of the school’s driveway. On the way to or from class, students and visitors can stop at local restaurants and bakeries along 32nd Avenue that showcase the neighborhood’s vibrant culture—just one example of RTD’s mission to make lives better through connections.
RTD operates over 100 bus routes across Denver and surrounding counties. Operating thousands of daily departures, RTD buses transport nearly 43 million customers every year. RTD’s busiest bus routes are Route 0 on Broadway, Route 15 on Colfax and Route 31 on Federal Boulevard. But this hidden gem is worth a look.