Two RTD buses at Colfax and Broadway
Service DeliveryService Disruption

RTD prepares for demonstrations in downtown Denver and metro area Saturday

Tina Jaquez

DENVER (March 26, 2026) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is taking steps to prepare for an expected presence of demonstrators Saturday in downtown Denver and throughout the metro area. RTD maintains several contingency plans that can be readily implemented if an external event disrupts fixed-route bus and rail services. RTD is expecting an uptick in ridership due to the demonstrations and the Denver Summit Football Club game at Empower Field at Mile High.

Demonstrations could impact service to RTD bus routes that serve the downtown area. Twenty-three routes that may be disrupted include 0, 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 15L, 16, 19, 20, 28, 32, 38, 43, 44, 48, 52, 83L, 120X, ART, FF and FREE. Rail lines with possible detours or disruptions include D, E, H, L, and W.

The agency maintains a common operating plan across all service modes, and staff has been in contact with external entities, including the Denver Police Department (DPD), to receive updates and risk assessments. Additionally, RTD’s Transit Police Department (RTD-PD) now operates out of two new substations, one in Englewood and the other at the Downtown Boulder Station. These coordinated efforts ensure RTD can quickly incorporate information from its public safety partners and readily deploy agency resources as needed or warranted throughout the RTD service area. RTD-PD will also increase patrols and officer presence to support the personal safety and security of customers and employees.

Customers are encouraged to prepare in advance for travel to and from the downtown areas by using RTD’s Next Ride app to plan trips, view Service Alerts, and stay ahead of potential detours in the event of street closures. RTD’s trip planner tool shows all transit options from a customer’s current location, and it provides real-time updates about detours and disruptions.

While RTD is focused on being prepared for the demonstrators with a potential to disrupt services, it can be difficult to predict crowd actions in the moment. Agency staff will actively monitor events in real time to support public safety and, to the greatest extent possible, minimize service disruptions. RTD’s primary goal is to ensure its employees and customers are able to safely connect to their destinations before, during, and after all planned and unplanned events. 

Rail Service 
As long as it is safe to continue operations, light rail and commuter rail services to Denver Union Station will continue as scheduled. If Union Station is closed for safety reasons, connections will not be provided to that facility, and services will continue to operate along the remainder of each individual rail line. 

H and D lines could be detoured to Denver Union Station and the L Line could be suspended if crowds become large enough to impact rail service.


Bus Service
Bus service into downtown Denver will continue, as scheduled, unless streets are closed or it is deemed unsafe for operations. If it is feasible and safe, buses will be rerouted around street closures to continue service. If Union Station is closed for safety reasons, bus service will not be provided at that facility.

Helpful Tips

 

Written by Tina Jaquez