Code of Conduct

RTD is committed to offering safe, clean, reliable, courteous, accessible, and cost-effective transportation throughout the District to all constituents.

RTD strives to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and has equal access to transportation. In order to provide for the safety, convenience, and comfort of all persons, RTD has established this Code of Conduct (Code) setting forth rules prohibiting certain conduct that may adversely affect use, operation, or occupancy of RTD vehicles (including RTD buses, Access-a-Ride vehicles, FlexRide vehicles, light rail vehicles, and commuter rail vehicles), facilities (including bus and rail stations, parking facilities, bus stops, bus shelters, plazas and fountains, and administrative, operational, and maintenance facilities), or property.

Prior to enforcement, RTD will make every attempt to first educate a person on conduct prohibited by this Code. However, any person who engages in prohibited conduct may be subject to enforcement ranging from a verbal or written warning, immediate suspension, or a criminal citation (see Section 5: “Enforcement”).

Conduct prohibited by this Code is subject to reasonable modification under the Americans with Disabilities Act (see Section 4: “The ADA and Reasonable Modification”).

This Code of Conduct was initially approved on December 20, 2016 by RTD’s Board of Directors and thereafter amended on July 21, 2020.

A person, including any combination of persons of any nature whatsoever (including but not limited to companies, clubs, associations, corporations, partnerships, and public entities) is prohibited from committing, attempting to commit, or assisting any other person or combination of persons to commit, the following acts in or on any RTD vehicle, facility, or property.

Fares / Locations

1. Being within any RTD fare-paid zone without prior payment of the proper fare.
2. Riding an RTD vehicle without proper fare or complying with RTD fare payment management systems (including but not limited to: failure to obtain and keep evidence of payment such as transfers and tickets; failure to validate a mobile ticket; and failure to tap smart card media in accordance with RTD procedures).
3. Failing to possess or to purchase, upon request, valid fare when at an RTD transportation facility or station, or failure to validate a mobile ticket prior to boarding an RTD vehicle.
4. Failing to obey any request from RTD to stand behind warning strips (including yellow tactile strips) or within other safe locations on RTD vehicles or property.
5. Failing to leave an RTD vehicle once fare has expired or upon reaching the fare zone for which fare was purchased.
6. Unauthorized presence in or on any RTD vehicle, facility, or property after hours of operation or after the vehicle has reached its final destination.
7. Unauthorized presence on any RTD property that is not open to the public.
8. Crossing RTD rail tracks at any location other than at a traffic- or pedestrian-controlled intersection or at a designated pedestrian crossing.
9. Violating the terms of or failing to have possession of an RTD Facilities Vendor License or Use Permit when required. Commercial activity and certain other activities that, for example, involve use of equipment or may attract large crowds require such a license or permit.

Smoking / Eating / Drinking / Littering

10. Smoking or vaping any substance including but not limited to tobacco (as defined in the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act), or use of chewing tobacco, on any RTD vehicle or within any prohibited area. “Prohibited area” for purposes of this rule includes:
    1. Any RTD facility or property where smoking is prohibited by state or local law.
    2. Any indoor RTD facility.
    3. Any outdoor or enclosed RTD facility or property where “no smoking” signs are posted.
    4. The area within a radius of 15 feet of the main entry or doorway to an indoor RTD facility.
11. Consuming any alcoholic beverage or marijuana or possessing an open container of any alcoholic beverage or marijuana in or on any RTD vehicle, facility, or property.
12. Eating on any RTD vehicle unless and solely to the extent that it is medically necessary.
13. Drinking any beverage without a lid on any RTD vehicle.
14. Distributing or posting handbills on RTD vehicles or property, or on vehicles parked on RTD property, except as otherwise authorized by RTD’s Facilities Use Policy.
15. Littering (including spilled food or liquids).

Disturbances

16. Exhibiting disruptive behavior that disturbs the reasonable comfort of other passengers or RTD personnel, including but not limited to disruptively loud talking or mobile phone use (use of mobile phone speakers is prohibited).
17. Operating any device used to listen to music or other sound (other than a mobile phone when being used for communications) without earphones or at such a loudness level that the sound still causes a disturbance.
18. Use of a bull horn or similar device to willfully disrupt the provision of transit services or public safety.
19. Soliciting or otherwise engaging in unwanted conversation with any other person while such person is a captive audience (i.e., while standing in line for or riding in a vehicle).
20. Engaging in activities not authorized by RTD’s Facilities Use Policy.

Occupancy

21. Taking any animal into an RTD indoor facility, onto a vehicle or within a fare paid zone unless: (1) the animal is intended and trained to assist a person with a disability; (2) the animal is in training to assist a person with a disability; or (3) the animal is in an appropriate animal carrier (including locked, standard commercial containers in the underfloor luggage bays of regional bus coaches). 
    All dogs must have proof of current vaccinations required by the local jurisdictions in which the animals are traveling.
22. Obstructing passengers with disabilities from accessing features necessary to enable passengers with disabilities to use transit services such as ramps, lifts, and high blocks.
23. Possessing or transporting articles, baggage, or packages (except mobility aids) that restrict the safe movement of passengers on or around transit vehicles or otherwise disrupting the use of transit.
24. Possessing or transporting any flammable liquid, combustible material, or other dangerous or hazardous item or substance such as gasoline, kerosene, or propane, including in a canister or machinery. These items are also prohibited: car batteries; dollies; full-size grocery carts; and large furniture items.
25. Carrying any weapon, dangerous instrument (including but not limited to switchblade knife, gravity knife, box cutter, straight razor, razor blade not wrapped or enclosed in a protective covering, or sword), or any other item intended for use as a weapon, except to the extent and in the manner authorized by law. 
    Legal firearms may be carried if they are unloaded and carried in an enclosed container that completely conceals the item from view and identification as a weapon. This paragraph does not apply to law enforcement personnel or to persons to whom a concealed-carry license for such weapon has been duly issued and is in force.
26. Writing, marking, scribbling, defacing, or causing destruction on or to any RTD vehicle or property in any manner.
27. Intentionally occupying more than one seat of an RTD vehicle or facility (subject to ADA reasonable modification; see Code Section IV).
28. Sleeping or dozing where such activity may cause concern for the person’s wellbeing. In these cases, RTD may conduct a wellness check.
29. Entering or remaining on RTD property or vehicle while a person is so severely impaired by the consumption of alcohol or by the taking of any drugs that the person is unable to function safely in the environment of a transit system.
30. Camping without a permit.
31. Storing personal property (except for designated areas such as bike lockers/racks when using transit) without a permit.
32. Occupying or traversing landscaped areas (other than lawns intended for public use).
33. Blocking or impeding the movement of another person or blocking a seat or an aisle, elevator, escalator, pathway, door, or stairway with one’s body (sitting, standing, or lying down) or any object (except a mobility aid), or interfering with the operations or facilities maintenance in a way that poses a danger, unreasonably impedes a patron’s movement or ability to sit or displaces a person (subject to ADA reasonable modification; see Code Section 4).
34. Failing to clear a designated wheelchair/mobility device area upon RTD request.
35. Impeding the safe boarding or exiting of passengers or restricting the opening or closing of doors.
36. Unplugging a plug already being used in an electrical or data outlet, in any RTD vehicle or facility, to charge a personal device.

Wheeled devices

37. Using or riding a skateboard, inline or roller skates, bicycle, scooter, Segway, hoverboard, or other wheeled personal transportation device (unless used as a mobility aid for an individual with a disability) in or on any RTD vehicle, facility, or property (strollers, non-ridden and non-straddled bicycles, and wheeled luggage are permitted).
38. Using any wheeled device unsafely (i.e., in a manner that could cause injury to the rider or other patrons).
39. Placing a bicycle on any RTD vehicle in other than designated locations or without staying next to the bicycle.

Sanitation

40. Bathing or washing clothes in RTD restrooms.
41. Leaving needles in RTD restrooms except in designated Sharps Disposal Containers.
42. Failure to wear footwear, shirts/tops, and pants/shorts/skirts on or in any RTD vehicle or facility (subject to ADA reasonable modification; see Code Section 4).
43. Putting shoes/feet up on any seat in an RTD facility or vehicle.
44. Intentionally soiling any seat or other area (other than designated trash receptacles) with liquids, soils, greases, oils, foods, litter, urine, feces, other bodily fluids, or any other substances.
45. Intentionally causing a repulsive odor so extreme and unavoidable that it causes a nuisance, unreasonably interferes with the use, operation, or enjoyment of an RTD vehicle or facility, or creates a direct threat or unsafe condition. (subject to ADA reasonable modification; see Code Section 4).
46. Spitting, urinating, or defecating other than in facilities intended for such purposes.
47. Engaging in public nudity or exposing one’s anus or genitals.

Other Prohibited or Illegal Activity

48. Any illegal activity under any applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation, including but not limited to: assault; menacing; theft; possession of illegal drugs; counterfeiting; littering; vandalism; hindering public transportation (CRS 18-9-114); and endangering public transportation (CRS 18-9-115).
49. Failure to comply with a reasonable request from an RTD employee or representative related to RTD operational policies.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), transportation entities are required to make reasonable modifications to their policies, practices, and procedures to avoid discrimination and ensure that their programs are accessible to individuals with disabilities. In accordance with this directive, RTD will make every effort, to the maximum extent feasible, to ensure that a person with a disability has access to, and benefits from, its services. 

RTD will make reasonable modifications to its policies, programs, and procedures applicable to its transportation services when necessary to avoid discrimination and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

There may be certain situations when RTD’s policies and procedures do not achieve ADA objectives/accessibility. A modification to these policies and procedures may be needed to ensure that a passenger with a disability has access to our services.

Examples of reasonable modification can be found on RTD’s website under Accessibility. When making a reasonable modification for an individual with a disability, the modification is not intended to:

•  cause a direct threat to the health and safety of others;

•  create undue financial and administrative burdens;

•  constitute a fundamental alteration to a service;

•  be more than necessary to provide equal access to an RTD service.

Any questions or concerns on reasonable modification should be directed to RTD’s Division of Civil Rights, ADA Managers Office: 303-299-2221.

RTD will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in the administration of this Code of Conduct.

If violations of this Code of Conduct appear or are claimed to be caused by a disability, RTD personnel are to contact Dispatch or Security for advice and assistance.

Enforcement will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. A person who engages in any of the above prohibited conduct (Section III) may be warned and/or ordered to immediately exit the RTD vehicle, facility, or property by a law enforcement officer, an RTD Transit Security Officer, an RTD Bus/Light Rail/Commuter Rail Line Supervisor, or other authorized RTD personnel. Such personnel are authorized to issue an order to the person to exit RTD property for up to the remainder of the service day.

Situations where a person refuses to leave an RTD vehicle, facility, or property after being ordered to do so may be considered trespassing and may be referred to law enforcement personnel.

A person who engages in any of the above prohibited conduct may also, or instead, be issued a suspension by RTD, suspending the person from all RTD vehicles, properties, and services for a determined amount of time pursuant to RTD’s Service Suspension policy and procedures.

A person ordered to leave or suspended from RTD property will not be entitled to any refund of unused fare media that may expire during the time of the person’s exclusion.

Suspension or orders to exit RTD property may be appealed pursuant to RTD’s Service Suspension policy and procedures.

In addition to any other enforcement under this Code, riding an RTD vehicle without evidence that the proper fare has been paid may be treated in accordance with Colorado Traffic Code, C.R.S. § 42-4- 1416.

In addition to any other enforcement under this Code, illegal activity may result in a citation under any applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance, including C.R.S. § 18-9-114 - Hindering Transportation (Class 2 Misdemeanor), and C.R.S. § 18-9-115 - Endangering Public Transportation and Utility Transmission (Class 3 Felony).

This Code of Conduct does not seek to limit, replace, or conflict with any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance and does not limit or prevent any law enforcement agency or entity from taking any lawful action against any person in or on any RTD vehicle, facility, or property.