RTD’s Community Engagement team keeps agency’s relationship with Denver region strong

RTD exists to serve the transit needs of Denver metro area communities. From Longmont to Lone Tree, Golden to Aurora and everywhere in between, RTD helps customers travel to places of work, education, recreation, and beyond. To provide excellent service, the agency must have strong ties not only to its customers, but also to its community partners and nonprofit organizations that help educate current and future transit users about RTD services and ongoing initiatives. RTD’s Community Engagement team is responsible for supporting the development and sustained collaboration among the agency, customers and community at large.

Housed in the Communications and Engagement Department, RTD’s small but mighty Community Engagement Team seeks out and collaborates with community stakeholders. The team of two identifies ways to maintain positive relationships with customers, organizations and key community influencers.

"Our work highlights the importance of active engagement with the community to secure the overall success, reliability and effectiveness of our services,” said Brian Rosenstein, Senior Specialist of Community Engagement.

Maintaining these close partnerships with community stakeholders and customers requires creative thinking, and that is where the Community Engagement team shines brightest.

“Community Engagement is more than giving a presentation or tabling at a community event,” Manager of Community Engagement, Brandon Figliolino said. “It’s about making thoughtful connections with people.”

Some of the ways the team has demonstrated RTD’s strategic priority of Community Value has been through transit-themed story times, where families of all ages can listen to an RTD team member read a book and explore a local bus. From developing online campaigns to educating customers how to combine biking trips with transit, to marching in the beloved 9News Parade of Lights, the team knows the importance of having a strong physical presence in the community. They also provide guidance on effective community engagement strategies for other areas of the agency that do not primarily do outreach to customers.

This year, the team will be hosting and joining various community events and festivals to educate and inspire public transit use. Some of the big events lined up in 2024 include:

  • Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade
  • Cinco de Mayo Festival
  • Colorado Rockies home opener
  • Memorial Day Parade
  • Juneteenth Parade
  • Pride Parade
  • Bike to Work Day
  • 9News Parade of Lights

These events are subject to change. In addition to joining community celebrations, the team is preparing to host and support various open house events related to the upcoming coping panel and downtown rail reconstruction projects.

“Volunteering as an ambassador for open houses and public meetings is an excellent way to support RTD’s strategic priority of Customer Excellence, while also getting the chance to meet individuals from other areas of the agency,” Figliolino said.

While the team takes point on coordinating many outreach events, partnerships and relationships, it takes a village to keep these healthy. The team welcomes employees to help at many of the parades and outreach events they host. Employees are encouraged to check out Inside Connections and the Hub each week for participation information about events held by the Community Engagement team.

Want to get involved? Contact the Community Engagement team at [email protected] to learn more.