RTD to offer special downtown holiday service through Jan. 3 following completion of rail reconstruction work near Colfax at Auraria Station

DENVER (Nov. 17, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will resume light rail service in Denver’s Downtown Loop for the holidays, following the successful, on-time completion of an 86-day project to fully reconstruct the light rail crossing near the intersection of Kalamath Street and Colfax Avenue.

Daily light rail service will temporarily operate every 15 minutes, 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. between I-25•Broadway and 30th•Downing stations. The special holiday service will be available to customers from Friday, Nov. 28, through Saturday, Jan. 3, ahead of RTD’s January service changes. All currently adjusted light rail lines and their destinations, including H Line service terminating at Southmoor Station and the D Line rerouting into Denver Union Station, will remain in place until RTD’s January service changes take effect on Sunday, Jan. 4. At that time, RTD will resume its regular light rail service on the D, H, and L lines.

The work that was completed at the Kalamath Crossing is part of a multi-year, $152 million project to fully reconstruct miles of light rail track in downtown Denver, the first project of this magnitude in RTD’s history. During the initial phase, which took place in 2024, crews reconstructed five intersections in Denver’s Downtown Loop. The full-depth reconstruction process involved removing all current track infrastructure, concrete, rail, ties, and ballast.

“Maintaining RTD’s infrastructure is essential to preserving previous investments that were made in the region’s mass transportation system,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. “The on-time completion of this phase of the project demonstrates RTD’s commitment to safely and efficiently maintaining its assets and limiting disruptions for customers. This work is so much more than a maintenance project. It ensures that RTD can continue providing a viable transit network for future generations.”

“After two months of steady work, these critical transit improvements have reached the final stretch,” said Angel Peña, RTD’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer. “With less than two weeks left, RTD's staff, contractors, and stakeholders are driving this effort forward. The teams kept the schedule moving, partners resolved issues quickly, and everyone stayed aligned on the goal. The continued commitment of everyone will ensure we finish strong.”

RTD will start work on the subsequent phases of its Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project in 2026, and some phases may simultaneously occur. The agency’s project team, comprising of staff and consultants, is in the process of finalizing comprehensive plans and timelines for the upcoming phases, which include: 

• Colfax Avenue alignment reconstruction 
• Downtown Loop midblock sections
• Welton Street Corridor design work

Continued Connections and Alternative Service

Ahead of a full return of regular service across on Jan. 4, the following options are available to support customers:

• D Line trains will continue serving Denver Union Station, and customers can easily connect to the Downtown Loop using the 16th Street FreeRide or Free MetroRide. D Line trains will maintain their current, 15-minute frequencies between Littleton•Mineral Station and Denver Union Station.
• The H Line will continue operating between Florida and Southmoor stations, and customers traveling downtown will need to transfer to an E Line train. The E and H lines will both maintain 15-minute frequencies to support cross-platform transfers at Southmoor Station.
• The L Line is temporarily suspended, and Route 43 is available to support customers with continued connections along the downtown corridor.
• Bus Route 16 and Route ART also provide alternate service to the Colfax at Auraria Station.
• The Holiday Train will provide connections every 15 minutes between I-25•Broadway and 30th•Downing stations.

Customers are encouraged to sign up for RTD’s Service Alerts, use the agency’s NextRide app, or contact customer support. RTD’s Customer Care agents are available 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays by calling 303.299.6000.

An overview of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project is available at rtd-denver.com/railproject, and the agency will continue to regularly post updated timelines and information as future plans are finalized.