D Line (RTD)
| Company type | Public transit service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Denver , United States |
Area served | Denver–Aurora metropolitan area, Colorado |
| Products | Light rail transit service |
| Website | www |
The D Line operates as a light rail service within the Regional Transportation District, catering to the Denver–Aurora metropolitan region in Colorado. Established in 1994 as the transit system’s first route, it initially connected 30th & Downing in the Five Points neighborhood through downtown Denver to I-25 & Broadway along the Central Corridor. In July 2000, the line was extended along the Southwest Corridor. Since it was originally the only line and thus unbranded, it received the D Line designation after the Central Platte Valley Spur opened in 2002.
Route
The northern endpoint of the D Line is located at 18th Street within downtown Denver. Trains departing from Littleton proceed via 14th Street and California Street to arrive downtown, then exit through Stout Street. The route follows Stout Street and Colfax Avenue before merging onto the Colorado Joint Line, concluding at Mineral Avenue in Littleton.
Previously, the line’s northern reach extended to Five Points; however, with the introduction of the L Line in January 2018, service was truncated to terminate downtown.
In fiscal year 2023, annual ridership totaled approximately 2.66 million boardings, underscoring its significance as a major transit corridor within RTD’s light rail system.
Stations
FasTracks
As part of the voter-approved FasTracks initiative passed in 2004, plans are underway to extend the D Line by adding a southern terminus station at C-470 and Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch, featuring approximately 1,000 parking spaces. An environmental assessment was finalized in 2010 and station design concepts were created; nonetheless, construction remains unfunded with no projected start date. Additionally, this evaluation suggested a potential intermediate stop at C-470 and South Erickson Boulevard that was not included in the original proposal.
The FasTracks program also envisions an infill station near West Bates Avenue in Englewood, situated between Evans and Englewood stations. Despite its approval in 2004, development on this station has yet to commence.