Public transit system serving Denver, Colorado metropolitan area
Regional Transportation District| Company type | Public transit authority |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Denver , United States |
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Area served | Denver metropolitan area |
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| Products | Light rail, commuter rail, bus services |
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| Website | rtd-denver.com |
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The Regional Transportation District (RTD) manages an extensive public transit system that serves Denver, Colorado, and its surrounding metropolitan region, offering both light rail and commuter rail operations. , the urban rail network comprises 77 stations distributed across 10 lines: A, B, D, E, G, H, L, N, R, and W.
Stations are designed as open-air facilities equipped with canopies to shield passengers from weather elements. RTD prioritizes community integration in station design, emphasizing three primary components: the platform, the transition plaza, and intermodal connectivity. Platforms generally support trains up to four cars long and come in side, island, or side-center layouts. The transition plaza serves to link passenger services with various intermodal transport options. Additionally, stations display public artwork through RTD’s "Art-n-Transit" initiative, which incorporates standalone pieces as well as integrated design features.
Light rail operations commenced on October 8, 1994, featuring fourteen stations along the original 5.3-mile Central Corridor extending from 30th & Downing station to I-25 & Broadway station. The first expansion was inaugurated on July 14, 2000, adding 8.7 miles and five new stations reaching Littleton–Mineral station. In 2002, a 1.8-mile branch connected 10th & Osage station to Union Station. By November 2006, a southeast extension introduced 19 miles and thirteen additional stations linking I-25 & Broadway to areas in Aurora and Lone Tree. The W Line began service on April 26, 2013, adding 12.1 miles and eleven stations between Auraria West station and Golden. The first commuter rail route, the A Line connecting to Denver International Airport, started operations on April 22, 2016.
Prior to 2024, RTD utilized a zone-based fare structure divided into zones A, B, C according to distance from downtown Denver plus a distinct airport zone. Effective January 1, 2024, RTD transitioned to a flat fare system for all stations except for Denver Airport station, which retains a premium airport fare.
Stations
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Transfer stations designated for passenger interchange
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Terminal stations marking line endpoints
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Stations serving as both transfer points and terminals
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Future stations
The Regional Transportation District is executing FasTracks, a comprehensive $6.9 billion public transit initiative spanning twelve years that began in 2013. This project encompasses six new corridors—comprising light rail, diesel, and electric commuter rail lines—covering approximately , with staggered inaugurations from 2013 through 2017. The initial segment to open was the West Corridor, linking Denver and Golden, which commenced operations on April 26, 2013. The first commuter rail service, the University of Colorado A Line, connecting Denver to Denver International Airport, started on April 22, 2016. Subsequently, the G Line launched in April 2019, followed by the North Metro Rail Line (N line) beginning service in September 2020.
Former stations
By 2019, three stations on the D Line in downtown Denver were decommissioned: 29th & Welton station, 14th & California station, and 14th & Stout station.
See also
Notes
External links
