Senate Bill 25-161 Revised

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning transit reform, and, in connection therewith,

• Page 1, Line 102creating study, planning, and reporting requirements;

• Page 1, Line 103increasing coordination among transit agencies,

• Page 1, Line 104government, and planning organizations; authorizing

• Page 1, Line 105the regional transportation district to enter into

• Page 1, Line 106service partnership agreements; creating a regional

• Page 1, Line 107transportation district accountability committee;

• Page 1, Line 108requiring the regional transportation district to

• Page 1, Line 109emphasize ridership growth, worker retention, safety,

• Page 1, Line 110and statewide climate goals; and making an

• Page 1, Line 111appropriation.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

The bill makes the following changes for the purpose of improving the performance of the regional transportation district (RTD):

• Authorizes RTD to enter into a service partnership agreement with a local government, institution of higher education, or other entity to expand services within RTD's service territory (section 2 of the bill);
• Requires RTD, in discharging its responsibilities, to (section 3):
• Align with statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets, "Transportation Vision 2035" goals, and mode choice targets as will be developed according to Senate Bill 25-030, if enacted;
• Create worker retention goals;
• Adhere to the requirements of "General Directive 24-1: Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers", issued on September 25, 2024, by the federal transit administration of the United States department of transportation; and
• Develop performance measures to evaluate its progress in aligning with state climate goals and achieving its worker retention goals;
• Requires RTD to create a 10-year strategic plan no later than April 10, 2026, and a comprehensive operational analysis no less frequently than every 5 years beginning in 2026, and to report quarterly to the RTD board of directors regarding the plan and analysis (section 4);
• Requires RTD, in conjunction with the creation of its 10-year strategic plan, to study or contract with a third party to study and identify opportunities to increase funding to achieve the goals, measures, and targets identified in the 10-year strategic plan (section 4);
• Requires RTD to create, maintain, and publish on its website information and dashboards related to capital projects, ridership and service information, planned service changes, workforce statistics, and transit safety (section 4);
• Requires RTD to update its service policies and standards, its equitable transit-oriented development policy, and its service buy-up policy, to create specific communication protocols, and to implement parking and transportation demand management strategies and policies (section 4);
• Requires RTD to periodically notify the Denver regional council of governments (DRCOG) and the department of local affairs of any known infrastructure gaps that exist within specific areas of a transit-oriented community within RTD's service territory (section 4);
• Requires RTD to modernize and advertise its EcoPass and low-income fare discount programs (section 4);
• Adds 2 nonvoting ex officio members to the RTD board of directors (RTD board), to be appointed by the executive director of the department of transportation and by DRCOG (sections 6 and 8); and
• Prohibits write-in candidates for the RTD board (section 7).
• Requiring the transportation commission to develop and publish best practices and technical assistance materials concerning the creation of regional transportation authorities to increase funding for transit and to provide additional transit services within the state (section 5); and
• Creating an RTD accountability committee within the Colorado energy office that consists of 13 appointed members. On or before January 30, 2026, the commission is required to provide recommendations to the transportation committees of the general assembly concerning the governance structure and compensation of the RTD board and executive leadership, the representation of local governments and state agencies within RTD, and RTD's workforce retention (section 9).

The bill also requires other entities to analyze opportunities for the improvement of transit services by:

• Page 3, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 3, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-102, add (2) as follows:

• Page 3, Line 332-9-102.  Legislative declaration. (2)  The general assembly further finds and declares that:

• Page 3, Line 4(a)  Transportation is critical to daily life and commerce,

• Page 3, Line 5yet our methods contribute to several challenges facing the

• Page 3, Line 6region, including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, affordability, public health, safety, accessibility, and equity;

• Page 4, Line 1(b)  Expanding mass transportation presents a vital

• Page 4, Line 2opportunity to reduce household transportation costs,

• Page 4, Line 3decrease pollution, reduce congestion, minimize fatalities and

• Page 4, Line 4serious injuries while improving access to key destinations,

• Page 4, Line 5particularly for transit-reliant populations, and stimulate regional economic development; and

• Page 4, Line 6(c)  Therefore, the regional transportation district shall

• Page 4, Line 7prioritize providing fast, frequent, reliable, and safe service to maximize ridership levels across the region.

• Page 4, Line 8SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-119, amend (1) introductory portion and (1)(y); and add (1)(z) as follows:

• Page 4, Line 932-9-119.  Additional powers of district. (1)  In addition to any

• Page 4, Line 10other powers granted to the district in this article article 9, the district has the following powers:

• Page 4, Line 11(y)  To exercise all or any part or combination of the powers granted in this article article 9; and

• Page 4, Line 12(z)  To enter into a service partnership agreement with a

• Page 4, Line 13local government, institution of higher education, business or

• Page 4, Line 14housing entity, or special district to expand services within the

• Page 4, Line 15district's service territory, or beyond the boundaries of the district as authorized by law, by:

• Page 4, Line 16(I)  Sharing resources and the means of providing transportation system projects or services; or

• Page 4, Line 17(II)  Cooperating on the research, development, or implementation of transportation system projects or services.

• Page 4, Line 18SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-119.5, add (2)(e) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 132-9-119.5.  Competition to provide vehicular service within

• Page 5, Line 2the regional transportation district - definition. (2) (e) (I)  To provide

• Page 5, Line 3vehicular service other than fixed-route service, the district or

• Page 5, Line 4a qualified private business, nonprofit organization, or local

• Page 5, Line 5government shall demonstrate that at least two of the three

• Page 5, Line 6following conditions apply to the proposed service compared to a fixed-route service:

• Page 5, Line 7(A)  A fixed-route service is less cost effective per passenger mile;

• Page 5, Line 8(B)  A fixed-route service would produce more carbon emissions; or

• Page 5, Line 9(C)  A fixed-route service would provide less service in

• Page 5, Line 10terms of numbers of passengers carried and passenger miles traveled.

• Page 5, Line 11(II)  As used in this subsection (2)(e), "fixed-route service" means vehicular service on a predetermined route and schedule.

• Page 5, Line 12(III)  This subsection (2)(e) does not apply to vehicular

• Page 5, Line 13services for individuals with disabilities or to vehicular services established before May 1, 2025.

• Page 5, Line 14SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-119.7, repeal (1); and add (10) , (11), and (12) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 1532-9-119.7.  Cost efficiency of transit services - climate goals -

• Page 5, Line 16employee retention goals - reporting - plans. (1)  The general assembly

• Page 5, Line 17hereby finds and declares that surface transportation in the Denver

• Page 5, Line 18metropolitan area is a major problem confronting not only the citizens of

• Page 5, Line 19the metropolitan area but also the citizens of the entire state of Colorado.

• Page 6, Line 1The general assembly further finds that, although mass transportation is

• Page 6, Line 2one component of an effective surface transportation system, the

• Page 6, Line 3allocation of resources to mass transportation must be made in light of all

• Page 6, Line 4surface transportation needs. The general assembly further finds that the

• Page 6, Line 5district should be organized efficiently, economically, and on a

• Page 6, Line 6demand-responsive basis and that the district should consider least-cost alternatives in discharging its responsibilities.

• Page 6, Line 7(10)  In discharging its responsibilities, the district shall

• Page 6, Line 8align with the greenhouse gas reduction targets set forth in

• Page 6, Line 9section 25-7-102 (2)(g); the goals set forth in the governor's

• Page 6, Line 10"Transportation Vision 2035", which includes an eighty-three

• Page 6, Line 11percent increase in transit service by 2035; and the mode choice

• Page 6, Line 12targets developed pursuant to section 43-1-138, as added by

• Page 6, Line 13Senate Bill 25-030, enacted in 2025. The district shall develop

• Page 6, Line 14performance measures to evaluate its progress in aligning with

• Page 6, Line 15these state climate goals. In assessing climate impact, the

• Page 6, Line 16district shall consider the extent to which its services reduce

• Page 6, Line 17vehicle miles traveled by increasing transit ridership and

• Page 6, Line 18encouraging the development of dense, walkable, and less

• Page 6, Line 19car-dependent communities near transit stations and corridors throughout the district's geographic service area.

• Page 6, Line 20(11)  The district shall establish goals for employee

• Page 6, Line 21retention. The district shall develop performance measures to evaluate its progress toward its employee retention goals.

• Page 6, Line 22(12)  The district shall adhere to the requirements of

• Page 6, Line 23"General Directive 24-1: Required Actions Regarding Assaults

• Page 6, Line 24on Transit Workers", issued on September 25, 2024, by the

• Page 7, Line 1federal transit administration of the United States department of transportation.

• Page 7, Line 2(13) (a)  On or before December 15, 2025, the district shall

• Page 7, Line 3report to the transportation legislation review committee

• Page 7, Line 4created in section 43-2-145 (1)(a) on the district's five-year

• Page 7, Line 5financial forecast, debt capacity, and use of agency reserve

• Page 7, Line 6accounts. The report must include a comparison of comparable transit agencies in other states.

• Page 7, Line 7(b)  This subsection (13) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

• Page 7, Line 8SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 32-9-165, 32-9-166, 32-9-167, and 32-9-168 as follows:

• Page 7, Line 932-9-165.  Planning - ten-year plan - comprehensive

• Page 7, Line 10operational analysis - reporting - funding study - transit-oriented

• Page 7, Line 11community infrastructure. (1) Ten-year strategic plan. (a)  No later

• Page 7, Line 12than September 30, 2026, the district shall create a ten-year strategic plan. The plan must:

• Page 7, Line 13(I)  In collaboration with local governments and the

• Page 7, Line 14district subregional service councils, identify performance

• Page 7, Line 15measures and targets for service, ridership, enrollment in the

• Page 7, Line 16district's EcoPass program and income-based fare discount

• Page 7, Line 17program, and the percentages of residences and jobs within

• Page 7, Line 18one-quarter mile of a frequent transit route. The performance

• Page 7, Line 19measures and targets must align with state and regional goals for mode choice, land use, climate, equity, and safety;

• Page 7, Line 20(II)  Identify transportation facilities and services,

• Page 7, Line 21including the expansion or improvement of existing facilities and

• Page 7, Line 22services, required to meet service and ridership goals

• Page 8, Line 1throughout the district's geographic service area over the ten-year period;

• Page 8, Line 2(III)  Include a fiscally constrained plan outlining the

• Page 8, Line 3transit projects and services that are expected to be funded

• Page 8, Line 4with the current budget, which must be updated periodically if the funding picture changes substantially;

• Page 8, Line 5(IV)  Include a fiscally unconstrained option that

• Page 8, Line 6describes service and investments needed to meet the district's

• Page 8, Line 7identified performance measures and targets for service,

• Page 8, Line 8ridership, and the percentages of residences and jobs within one-quarter mile of a frequent transit route; and

• Page 8, Line 9(V)  Identify expected environmental, social, and economic

• Page 8, Line 10impacts of the recommendations contained in the transportation plan.

• Page 8, Line 11(b)  For each service, facility, or capital project identified

• Page 8, Line 12in the ten-year plan, the plan must specify and regularly update as circumstances change:

• Page 8, Line 13(I)  The time frame during which the project is expected to be completed;

• Page 8, Line 14(II)  The total estimated amount of funding required to complete the project; and

• Page 8, Line 15(III)  Funding opportunities that account for the total

• Page 8, Line 16estimated amount of funding for the project, including the

• Page 8, Line 17amount of funding from each funding source that has been

• Page 8, Line 18allocated for the project or is anticipated to be allocated for the project.

• Page 8, Line 19(c)  The district shall update the ten-year strategic plan

• Page 9, Line 1in conjunction with each major update to the Denver regional council of governments regional transportation plan.

• Page 9, Line 2(d)  In creating the ten-year strategic plan, the district

• Page 9, Line 3shall coordinate with the department of transportation, the

• Page 9, Line 4Denver regional council of governments, and local governments within the district's service territory.

• Page 9, Line 5(e)  In conjunction with the creation of its ten-year

• Page 9, Line 6strategic plan, the district shall study and identify or contract

• Page 9, Line 7with a third party to study and identify opportunities to

• Page 9, Line 8increase the district's funding to achieve the goals, measures, and targets identified in the ten-year strategic plan.

• Page 9, Line 9(2)  Comprehensive operational analysis.No later than April

• Page 9, Line 1010, 2026, and no less frequently than every five years

• Page 9, Line 11thereafter, the district shall create a comprehensive operational analysis. The analysis must:

• Page 9, Line 12(a)  Assess existing services and travel patterns;

• Page 9, Line 13(b)  Evaluate the district's financial capacity and funding opportunities;

• Page 9, Line 14(c)  Identify specific transit routes or services for

• Page 9, Line 15implementation as identified in the fiscally constrained projects

• Page 9, Line 16list of the applicable ten-year plan required by subsection (1) of this section; and

• Page 9, Line 17(d)  Make recommendations on achieving the goals

• Page 9, Line 18identified in the applicable ten-year plan required by subsection (1) of this section.

• Page 9, Line 19(3) Reports. (a) (I)  During each legislative interim, the

• Page 9, Line 20district shall present a report on its progress in delivering the

• Page 10, Line 1projects identified in the ten-year strategic plan described in

• Page 10, Line 2subsection (1) of this section and the comprehensive operational

• Page 10, Line 3analysis described in subsection (2) of this section to the

• Page 10, Line 4transportation legislation review committee created in section

• Page 10, Line 543-2-145 (1)(a). As part of the report, the district shall provide

• Page 10, Line 6guidance to the committee as to how to access and understand

• Page 10, Line 7the plan and analysis, and the committee may, if it determines

• Page 10, Line 8that the plan or analysis does not include all the information

• Page 10, Line 9required by subsection (1) or (2) of this section, instruct the

• Page 10, Line 10district to ensure that any missing information is promptly added.

• Page 10, Line 11(II)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 10, Line 12(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in this subsection (3) continues indefinitely.

• Page 10, Line 13(b)  The district shall report quarterly to its board of

• Page 10, Line 14directors on its progress in developing and delivering the

• Page 10, Line 15ten-year strategic plan described in subsection (1) of this

• Page 10, Line 16section and the comprehensive operational analysis described in subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 10, Line 17(4)  Transit-oriented community infrastructure.The district

• Page 10, Line 18shall periodically notify the Denver regional council of

• Page 10, Line 19governments and the department of local affairs of any known

• Page 10, Line 20infrastructure gaps that exist within a transit center, as

• Page 10, Line 21defined in section 29-35-202 (9), within the district's service territory.

• Page 10, Line 2232-9-166.  Information dashboards. (1)  The district shall

• Page 10, Line 23create, maintain, and publish on its public website:

• (a)  A public accountability dashboard that shows:

• Page 11, Line 1(I)  By transit route:

• Page 11, Line 2(A)  Data on ridership, including total ridership and weekend and weekday ridership;

• Page 11, Line 3(B)  On-time performance, including a clear definition of what constitutes on-time performance;

• Page 11, Line 4(C)  Farebox recovery ratio;

• (D)  Boardings per hour; and

• Page 11, Line 5(E)  Reliability of service; and

• Page 11, Line 6(II)  Progress toward meeting performance targets relating to ridership growth and service provision;

• Page 11, Line 7(b)  A public accountability dashboard that shows the

• Page 11, Line 8district's workforce statistics regarding employee retention, recruitment, and vacancies;

• Page 11, Line 9(c)  A public accountability dashboard on transit safety, including data on passenger safety and driver safety;

• Page 11, Line 10(d)  A public accountability dashboard that provides, at

• Page 11, Line 11a minimum, accessible and transparent summary information

• Page 11, Line 12regarding each of the district's in-progress capital projects that

• Page 11, Line 13exceeds ten million dollars; the funding status of each project,

• Page 11, Line 14including the project's total funding and expenditures to date;

• Page 11, Line 15and the district's progress toward the completion of each project;

• Page 11, Line 16(e)  A summary page for planned service changes that

• Page 11, Line 17includes detailed timing changes; the reasons for any planned

• Page 11, Line 18changes; and the impacts of the planned changes, including

• Page 11, Line 19effects on local transfers; and

• Page 12, Line 1(f)  The district's progress toward meeting the

• Page 12, Line 2performance measures and targets identified in its ten-year

• Page 12, Line 3strategic plan pursuant to section 32-5-165 (1). The district shall update this progress on a quarterly basis.

• Page 12, Line 4(2)  The district shall first create and publish the

• Page 12, Line 5information required by subsection (1) of this section no later than December 1, 2025.

• Page 12, Line 6(3)  The district shall review and update the dashboards at least quarterly.

• Page 12, Line 732-9-167.  Required policy updates - service policies and

• Page 12, Line 8standards - equitable transit-oriented development policy - service

• Page 12, Line 9buy-up policy - communication protocols - parking policies and

• Page 12, Line 10strategies. (1)  On or before December 31, 2025, and every two

• Page 12, Line 11years thereafter, the district shall update its service policies and standards to:

• Page 12, Line 12(a)  Define and map transit propensity based on population

• Page 12, Line 13density, income, diversity, motor vehicle ownership, and other characteristics that influence transit ridership;

• Page 12, Line 14(b)  Establish a clear and transparent process for service

• Page 12, Line 15changes, under which proposed changes include publicly

• Page 12, Line 16accessible information outlining the reasons for the changes

• Page 12, Line 17and how they align with identified performance measures and the comprehensive operational analysis;

• Page 12, Line 18(c)  Work with entities hosting special events to facilitate

• Page 12, Line 19increased ridership to and from the events, so long as the

• Page 12, Line 20facilitation of increased ridership is additive to existing service;

• Page 12, Line 21and

• Page 13, Line 1(d)  Evaluate and set clear and objective standards for

• Page 13, Line 2the productivity of existing routes and services, including

• Page 13, Line 3providing for service adjustments on those routes if they do not meet the identified standards.

• Page 13, Line 4(2)  On or before April 10, 2026, the district shall update its equitable transit-oriented development policy to:

• Page 13, Line 5(a)  Align with applicable transit-oriented policies and

• Page 13, Line 6housing opportunity goals as described in part 2 of article 35 of title 29;

• Page 13, Line 7(b)  Align with applicable local government parking requirements as described in part 3 of article 35 of title 29; and

• Page 13, Line 8(c)  Enable the development of affordable housing and

• Page 13, Line 9dense, walkable, mixed-used communities near transit stations and routes.

• Page 13, Line 10(3) (a)  On or before December 31, 2025, the district shall

• Page 13, Line 11update its service buy-up policy in consultation with

• Page 13, Line 12stakeholders, including local governments, to outline a process

• Page 13, Line 13for local governments and business partners to propose to purchase additional services from the district.

• Page 13, Line 14(b)  The district shall evaluate these additional service

• Page 13, Line 15proposals and, where feasible, create plans to accommodate the proposals.

• Page 13, Line 16(4)  On or before December 31, 2025, the district shall

• Page 13, Line 17create and periodically update, as necessary, a policy outlining communication protocols for:

• Page 13, Line 18(a)  Planned and unplanned service disruptions;

• Page 13, Line 19(b)  Service substitutions; and

• Page 14, Line 1(c)  Contingency plans for service disruptions and substitutions.

• Page 14, Line 2(5)  The district shall work with local governments within

• Page 14, Line 3its service territory to implement parking and transportation

• Page 14, Line 4demand management strategies and policies to optimize the use

• Page 14, Line 5of new and existing parking supply, as identified in the best

• Page 14, Line 6practices and technical assistance materials developed pursuant to section 29-35-305.

• Page 14, Line 732-9-168.  EcoPass program - bulk purchasers - apartment

• Page 14, Line 8building survey - report - definitions. (1)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 14, Line 9(a)  "Bulk purchaser" means an entity that has a legal

• Page 14, Line 10relationship with and that provides goods or services to a group

• Page 14, Line 11of employees, residents, or members. "Bulk purchaser" includes,

• Page 14, Line 12without limitation, an employer, a building owner or manager,

• Page 14, Line 13a local government, a business improvement district, a business

• Page 14, Line 14or trade association, a homeowners' association, a neighborhood

• Page 14, Line 15association, a nonprofit organization, or any combination of such entities.

• Page 14, Line 16(b)  "Covered development" means a developmentthat

• Page 14, Line 17contains or is intended to contain fifty units or more, that is in

• Page 14, Line 18an area covered by the requirements of part 3 of article 35 of

• Page 14, Line 19title 29, and that has received land use approval for a

• Page 14, Line 20multifamily residential development; adaptive re-use for

• Page 14, Line 21residential purposes; or adaptive re-use mixed-use purposes that include at least fifty percent of use for residential purposes.

• Page 14, Line 22(c)  "EcoPass program" means a program operated by the

• Page 15, Line 1district that provides annual prepaid transit passes for

• Page 15, Line 2unlimited usage of the district's transit services. "EcoPass

• Page 15, Line 3program" includes the EcoPass and Neighborhood EcoPass programs, or their successor programs.

• Page 15, Line 4(2) (a)  The district shall administer an outreach program

• Page 15, Line 5to promote the EcoPass program to bulk purchasers. In

• Page 15, Line 6conducting outreach, the district shall present the following information to the bulk purchaser:

• Page 15, Line 7(I)  Succinct information on current and planned transit

• Page 15, Line 8service within the area relevant to the bulk purchaser,

• Page 15, Line 9including information on the proximity, frequency, and popularity of applicable transit routes; and

• Page 15, Line 10(II)  The estimated per-user cost expressed in per-year and

• Page 15, Line 11per-month terms. If the bulk purchaser is an employer, the

• Page 15, Line 12per-user cost must include the amount of the alternative

• Page 15, Line 13transportation options tax credit allowed pursuant to section 39-22-509.

• Page 15, Line 14(b)  The outreach program must include periodic proactive

• Page 15, Line 15outreach to bulk purchasers. In conducting proactive outreach,

• Page 15, Line 16the district shall prioritize bulk purchasers in and near transit

• Page 15, Line 17centers, as defined in section 29-35-202 (9), neighborhood

• Page 15, Line 18centers, as defined in section 29-35-202 (5), and applicable transit service areas, as defined in section 29-35-302 (3).

• Page 15, Line 19(c)  The district shall conduct the outreach program in

• Page 15, Line 20coordination with the Denver regional council of governments

• Page 15, Line 21and with transportation management associations that partner

• Page 15, Line 22with the Denver regional council of government's "Way to Go" program.

• Page 16, Line 1(d)  The district shall provide transparent and accessible

• Page 16, Line 2pricing information for the EcoPass program on its public-facing

• Page 16, Line 3website, which must include any geographic price differentiation.

• Page 16, Line 4(3) (a)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 16, Line 5minimize the administrative workload for bulk purchasers and

• Page 16, Line 6the recipients of bulk-purchased EcoPasses, including the bulk purchaser's employees, residents, or members.

• Page 16, Line 7(b)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 16, Line 8enroll all recipients of bulk-purchased EcoPasses at one time,

• Page 16, Line 9rather than enrolling a bulk purchaser's employees, residents, or members on an individual basis.

• Page 16, Line 10(c)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 16, Line 11allow a group of related bulk purchasers that seeks to provide

• Page 16, Line 12bulk-purchased EcoPasses to employees, residents, or members

• Page 16, Line 13of each related bulk purchaser to apply with one application for enrollment in the EcoPass Program

• Page 16, Line 14(d) (I)  The district shall update the neighborhood EcoPass program pricing strategy by July 1, 2026.

• Page 16, Line 15(II)  This subsection (3)(d) is repealed, effective January 1, 2027.

• Page 16, Line 16(e)  The district shall compensate a bulk purchaser of a

• Page 16, Line 17neighborhood EcoPass to defray administrative costs at a

• Page 16, Line 18reasonable amount and through a method determined by the district.

• Page 16, Line 19(f)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 17, Line 1minimize the administrative workload for bulk purchasers and

• Page 17, Line 2the recipients of bulk-purchased EcoPasses, as well as take steps

• Page 17, Line 3to improve utilization by EcoPass holders, by including guaranteed ride home services along with each bulk EcoPass.

• Page 17, Line 4(4) (a)  No later than June 30, 2026, or one year after the

• Page 17, Line 5date that the first resident moves into a covered development,

• Page 17, Line 6whichever is later, the covered development shall survey its

• Page 17, Line 7residents about the residents' interest in having the covered

• Page 17, Line 8development provide bulk-purchased EcoPasses to its residents.

• Page 17, Line 9The survey must include the per-user cost of the bulk-purchased EcoPasses, as provided by the district.

• Page 17, Line 10(b)  If a majority of respondents respond to the survey

• Page 17, Line 11that they would like the covered development to provide

• Page 17, Line 12bulk-purchased EcoPasses, the covered development shall

• Page 17, Line 13enroll in the EcoPass program for its residents. The owner or

• Page 17, Line 14manager of the covered development is the centralized payer of

• Page 17, Line 15the costs and fees associated with the EcoPass program, which it may recoup from its residents.

• Page 17, Line 16(c)  On or before January 1, 2026, the district shall create

• Page 17, Line 17and publish an online survey tool that covered developments may use to conduct the survey required by this subsection (4).

• Page 17, Line 18(5) (a)  On or before January 31, 2026, and on or before

• Page 17, Line 19each January 31 thereafter, the district shall report on the

• Page 17, Line 20EcoPass program to a joint session of the house of

• Page 17, Line 21representatives transportation, housing, and local government

• Page 17, Line 22committee and the senate transportation and energy committee,

• Page 17, Line 23or their successor committees. The report must include information concerning:

• Page 18, Line 1(I)  The district's outreach efforts, as described in

• Page 18, Line 2subsection (2) of this section, including quantitative details on the district's proactive outreach;

• Page 18, Line 3(II)  The district's administrative efforts, as described in subsection (3) of this section; and

• Page 18, Line 4(III)  The survey required for covered developments, as

• Page 18, Line 5described in subsection (4) of this section, including the number and results of the surveys conducted.

• Page 18, Line 6(b)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 18, Line 7(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in this subsection (5)(a) continues indefinitely.

• Page 18, Line 9SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 43-1-106, amend (15) introductory portion; and add (15)(f) as follows:

• Page 18, Line 1043-1-106.  Transportation commission - efficiency and

• Page 18, Line 11accountability committee - powers and duties - report - rules -

• Page 18, Line 12definitions. (15)  In addition to any other duties required by law, the commission shall have has the following charges:

• Page 18, Line 13(f)  On or before March 31, 2026, to develop and publish

• Page 18, Line 14best practices and technical assistance materials concerning

• Page 18, Line 15the creation of regional transportation authorities pursuant

• Page 18, Line 16to the "Regional Transportation Authority Law", part 6 of

• Page 18, Line 17article 4 of this title 43, to increase funding for transit and to provide additional transit services within the state.

• Page 18, Line 18SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-109.5, amend

• Page 18, Line 19(4) as follows:

• Page 19, Line 132-9-109.5.  Board of directors - membership - powers. (4)  All

• Page 19, Line 2powers, duties, functions, rights, and privileges vested in the district shall

• Page 19, Line 3be exercised and performed by the board; except that the exercise of any

• Page 19, Line 4executive, administrative, or ministerial powers may be delegated by the

• Page 19, Line 5board to officers and employees of the district. These powers, duties,

• Page 19, Line 6functions, rights, and privileges include, in addition to any other powers and duties specified in this article 9:

• Page 19, Line 7(a)  Setting policy objectives to be implemented by employees of the district;

• Page 19, Line 8(b)  Hiring and managing the district's general manager and chief executive officer;

• Page 19, Line 9(c)  Overseeing the district's general counsel;

• Page 19, Line 10(d)  Developing, adopting, and overseeing the district's

• Page 19, Line 11budget, including an annual capital budget with project costs and financing mechanisms;

• Page 19, Line 12(e)  Developing and approving the district's ten-year strategic plan and comprehensive operational analysis;

• Page 19, Line 13(f)  Engaging with constituents, local governments, the

• Page 19, Line 14department of transportation, the Denver regional council of

• Page 19, Line 15governments, transit agencies, and community partners to

• Page 19, Line 16obtain input and feedback on the district's decisions and operations;

• Page 19, Line 17(g)  Pursuing opportunities to grow transit ridership and make transit services competitive with driving;

• Page 19, Line 18(h)  Developing and promoting strategies and legislation

• Page 19, Line 19to ensure that the district has the resources it needs to

• Page 19, Line 20implement its strategic ten-year plan;

• Page 20, Line 1(i)  Meeting quarterly with the department of

• Page 20, Line 2transportation and with the Denver regional council of

• Page 20, Line 3governments and meeting biannually with any labor

• Page 20, Line 4organization, as defined in 24-34-401 (6), that represents some or all district employees;

• Page 20, Line 5(j)  Performing an annual review of the district's chief financial officer, in the district's discretion; and

• Page 20, Line 6(k)  Conducting an annual financial audit of the district.

• Page 20, Line 7SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-111, add (5)(g) as follows:

• Page 20, Line 832-9-111.  Election of directors - dates - terms. (5) (g) (I)  A

• Page 20, Line 9candidate for elected director is not eligible for election as a write-in candidate.

• Page 20, Line 10(II) (A)  If, for any district election, there is not a

• Page 20, Line 11candidate for director who is nominated for election pursuant

• Page 20, Line 12to this section, a director is appointed in lieu of the director

• Page 20, Line 13being elected by the eligible electors of the district. In such

• Page 20, Line 14case, a director is appointed by the board of county

• Page 20, Line 15commissioners of the county in which the director district is

• Page 20, Line 16located or, in the case of a director district in a city and

• Page 20, Line 17county, the director is appointed by the mayor of the city and

• Page 20, Line 18county with the approval of the city council. In the case of a

• Page 20, Line 19director district that contains territory in two or more

• Page 20, Line 20counties, or in a city and county and in one or more counties, a

• Page 20, Line 21director is appointed by the board of county commissioners of

• Page 20, Line 22the county in which the largest number of eligible electors of

• Page 21, Line 1the director district reside; except that, if the largest number

• Page 21, Line 2of eligible electors of the director district reside in the city and

• Page 21, Line 3county, the director is appointed by the mayor of the city and county with the approval of the city council.

• Page 21, Line 4(B)  A director appointed pursuant to this subsection

• Page 21, Line 5(5)(g)(II) serves until the next regular November election, at

• Page 21, Line 6which the director position is filled by election pursuant to this section.

• Page 21, Line 8SECTION 9.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-38.5-123 as follows:

• Page 21, Line 924-38.5-123.  Regional transportation district accountability

• Page 21, Line 10committee - creation - membership - report - definitions - repeal.

• Page 21, Line 11(1)  Definitions.As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 21, Line 12(a)  "Colorado energy office" or "office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101.

• Page 21, Line 13(b)  "District" means the regional transportation district created in article 9 of title 32.

• Page 21, Line 14(c)  "RTD accountability committee" or "committee" means

• Page 21, Line 15the regional transportation district accountability committee created in subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 21, Line 16(2) Membership. (a)  There is created in the Colorado

• Page 21, Line 17energy office the regional transportation district

• Page 21, Line 18accountability committee. The purpose of the committee is to

• Page 21, Line 19evaluate and make recommendations concerning the district as

• Page 21, Line 20described in subsection (3) of this section.

• Page 22, Line 1(b)  The committee consists of fourteen voting members and one ex officio nonvoting member as follows:

• Page 22, Line 2(I)  Six voting members appointed by the governor,

• Page 22, Line 3including one member who is a former member of the board of

• Page 22, Line 4directors of the district, one member who is a current member of

• Page 22, Line 5the board of directors of the district, and four members who collectively have expertise in the following areas:

• Page 22, Line 6(A)  Local government within the district's service area;

• (B)  Financial planning and management;

• Page 22, Line 7(C)  Multimodal transportation; and

• (D)  Environmental organization;

• Page 22, Line 8(II)  Three voting members appointed by the president of

• Page 22, Line 9the senate, including one member who is twenty-two years of

• Page 22, Line 10age or younger and who uses district services, and two members who collectively have expertise in the following areas:

• Page 22, Line 11(A)  Workforce development; and

• (B)  Transportation equity;

• Page 22, Line 12(III)  One voting member who has expertise in economic development, appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

• Page 22, Line 13(IV)  Three voting members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, including:

• Page 22, Line 14(A)  One member who represents transit riders with disabilities;

• Page 22, Line 15(B)  One member who represents the labor organization

• Page 22, Line 16that represents a plurality of transit workers of the district; and

• Page 22, Line 17(C)  One member who has expertise in urban planning;

• Page 23, Line 1(V)  One voting member who has expertise in safety for the

• Page 23, Line 2public and transit workers, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and

• Page 23, Line 3(VI)  One ex officio nonvoting member who is a current

• Page 23, Line 4member of the board of directors of the district, appointed by the board of directors of the district.

• Page 23, Line 5(c)  The committee shall select one of its members to serve as chair of the committee.

• Page 23, Line 6(d) (I)  The appointing authorities shall make the

• Page 23, Line 7appointments described in subsection (2) of this section no later than August 1, 2025.

• Page 23, Line 8(II)  Each member of the committee serves at the pleasure

• Page 23, Line 9of the appointing authority. The term of appointment is for the duration of the committee's existence.

• Page 23, Line 10(III)  If a vacancy occurs on the committee for any reason,

• Page 23, Line 11the original appointing authority shall appoint an individual to

• Page 23, Line 12fill the vacancy as soon as possible after the vacancy occurs.

• Page 23, Line 13In making the vacancy appointment, the appointing authority

• Page 23, Line 14shall ensure that the committee maintains the expertise required by subsection (2)(b)(II) of this section.

• Page 23, Line 15(e)  Each member of the committee serves without compensation.

• Page 23, Line 16(f)  Members of the committee may participate remotely in committee meetings and other activities.

• Page 23, Line 17(g)  The office shall be available to assist the committee in carrying out its duties.

• Page 23, Line 18(3) Evaluation and recommendations. (a)  The purpose of the committee is to evaluate and make recommendations on:

• Page 24, Line 1(I)  The governance structure of the board of directors and executive leadership of the district;

• Page 24, Line 2(II)  Compensation for the board of directors and executive leadership of the district;

• Page 24, Line 3(III)  The paratransit services provided within the

• Page 24, Line 4district's geographic service area. As used in this subsection

• Page 24, Line 5(3)(a)(III), "paratransit services" means complementary parallel

• Page 24, Line 6transit services for individuals with disabilities who are unable

• Page 24, Line 7to utilize regular or fixed-route transit services for some or all of their transit needs.

• Page 24, Line 8(IV)  How transit services within the district can be

• Page 24, Line 9expanded while ensuring good-paying jobs with benefits for

• Page 24, Line 10transit service and maintenance providers, given state investments to expand transit in the state;

• Page 24, Line 11(V)  How transit services within the district may be served

• Page 24, Line 12by implementing employer harmony agreements that protect

• Page 24, Line 13against labor disputes and other disruptions that can lead to

• Page 24, Line 14workforce retention challenges and service reliability and safety concerns;

• Page 24, Line 15(VI)  The representation of local governments and state agencies within the district; and

• Page 24, Line 16(VII)  The district's workforce retention.

• Page 24, Line 17(b)  The committee's work is intended to build on the work

• Page 24, Line 18of the previous RTD accountability committee created in 2020.

• Page 24, Line 19The committee should begin its evaluation pursuant to this

• Page 24, Line 20subsection (3) with an assessment of the status of each

• Page 25, Line 1recommendation included in the previous RTD accountability

• Page 25, Line 2committee's July 2021 final report, including assessment of

• Page 25, Line 3existing district subregional service councils and identification

• Page 25, Line 4of opportunities to improve the scope and effectiveness of the service councils.

• Page 25, Line 5(c)  On or before January 30, 2026, the committee shall

• Page 25, Line 6submit a report to the governor, the house of representatives

• Page 25, Line 7transportation, housing, and local government committee, and

• Page 25, Line 8the senate transportation and energy committee, or their

• Page 25, Line 9successor committees, that includes a summary of the work

• Page 25, Line 10accomplished by the RTD accountability committee, the findings

• Page 25, Line 11of its evaluation, and any recommendations to the general assembly concerning matters evaluated by the committee.

• Page 25, Line 12(4)  Repeal.This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

• Page 25, Line 13SECTION 10.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 43-4-1204, amend

• Page 25, Line 14(3)(c)(I), (3)(d) introductory portion, (3)(d)(II)(A), (3)(d)(II)(B), and (3)(d)(II)(C); and add (3)(e) as follows:

• Page 25, Line 1543-4-1204.  Production fee for clean transit imposed by the

• Page 25, Line 16enterprise - local transit operations program - local transit grant

• Page 25, Line 17program - rail funding program - cash funds - report. (3) (c)  Pursuant

• Page 25, Line 18to the purposes of the local transit operations program, the enterprise shall

• Page 25, Line 19allocate money from the local transit operations cash fund to eligible

• Page 25, Line 20entities using a formula developed by the board, which shall be based on

• Page 25, Line 21population, population density, local zoning, transit ridership, vehicle

• Page 25, Line 22revenue miles, share of disproportionately impacted community

• Page 25, Line 23population, and other transit-related criteria. An eligible entity that is

• Page 25, Line 24awarded money from the local transit operations cash fund shall:

• Page 26, Line 1(I)  Prior to receiving any money, submit the eligible entity's most

• Page 26, Line 2recent service improvement plan or system optimization plan

• Page 26, Line 3comprehensive operational analysis to the board and describe how

• Page 26, Line 4the money would be used to expand transit service, increase transit

• Page 26, Line 5frequency, improve system-wide transit connectivity, and meet the other purposes described in subsection (3)(b) of this section;

• Page 26, Line 6(d)  An eligible entity, except for a nonprofit organization,

• Page 26, Line 7awarded money pursuant to subsection (3)(c) of this section that provides

• Page 26, Line 8service to areas with a population of one million individuals or more shall:

• Page 26, Line 9(II)  Create, maintain, and regularly update the following on the eligible entity's website:

• Page 26, Line 10(A)  An annual update regarding the eligible entity's financial plan

• Page 26, Line 11that includes a detailed report of all the eligible entity's capital projects that are in progress and that exceed ten million dollars;

• Page 26, Line 12(B)  A quarterly update regarding all of the eligible entity's capital

• Page 26, Line 13projects that are in progress and that exceed ten million dollars,

• Page 26, Line 14including a project schedule and project expenditure information for each project;

• Page 26, Line 15(C)  A public accountability dashboard that provides, at a

• Page 26, Line 16minimum, accessible and transparent summary information regarding

• Page 26, Line 17each of the eligible entity's capital projects that is in progress and that

• Page 26, Line 18exceeds ten million dollars; the funding status of each project,

• Page 26, Line 19including the project's total funding and expenditures to date; and the eligible entity's progress toward the completion of each project;

• Page 26, Line 20(e)  For money awarded pursuant to subsection (3)(c) of

• Page 26, Line 21this section that is awarded no later than the state fiscal year

• Page 27, Line 1beginning on July 1, 2025, an eligible entity may be exempt from

• Page 27, Line 2the reporting requirements of subsections (3)(c)(I) and (3)(d) of

• Page 27, Line 3this section, in the enterprise's discretion, if the eligible entity

• Page 27, Line 4submits to the enterprise by July 1, 2025, a plan outlining how it will meet the reporting requirements.

• Page 27, Line 5SECTION 11.  Appropriation. For the 2025-26 state fiscal year,

• Page 27, Line 6$146,720 is appropriated to the office of the governor for use by the

• Page 27, Line 7Colorado energy office. This appropriation is from the general fund and

• Page 27, Line 8is based on an assumption that the office will require an additional 0.1

• Page 27, Line 9FTE. To implement this act, the office may use this appropriation for program administration.

• Page 27, Line 10SECTION 12.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds,

• Page 27, Line 11determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate

• Page 27, Line 12preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

• Page 27, Line 13the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.