Senate Bill 25-161 Introduced

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 108adding nonvoting members to the regional

• Page 1, Line 109transportation district board of directors; and

• Page 1, Line 110requiring the regional transportation district to

• Page 1, Line 111emphasize ridership growth, worker retention, safety,

• Page 1, Line 112and statewide climate goals.

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 4, Line 1region, including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, affordability, public health, safety, accessibility, and equity;

• Page 4, Line 2(b)  Expanding mass transportation presents a vital

• Page 4, Line 3opportunity to reduce household transportation costs,

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

• Page 4, Line 5serious injuries while improving access to key destinations,

• Page 4, Line 6particularly for transit-reliant populations, and stimulate regional economic development; and

• Page 4, Line 7(c)  Therefore, the regional transportation district shall

• Page 4, Line 8prioritize providing fast, frequent, reliable, and safe service to maximize ridership levels.

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

• Page 4, Line 1032-9-119.  Additional powers of district. (1)  In addition to any

• Page 4, Line 11other powers granted to the district in this article article 9, the district has the following powers:

• Page 4, Line 12(y)  To exercise all or any part or combination of the powers granted in this article article 9; and

• Page 4, Line 13(z)  To enter into a service partnership agreement with a

• Page 4, Line 14local government, institution of higher education, business or

• Page 4, Line 15housing entity, or other person to expand services within the district's service territory 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, 32-9-119.7, repeal (1); and add (10) , (11), and (12) as follows:

• Page 5, Line 132-9-119.7.  Cost efficiency of transit services - climate goals -

• Page 5, Line 2employee retention goals - reporting - plans. (1)  The general assembly

• Page 5, Line 3hereby finds and declares that surface transportation in the Denver

• Page 5, Line 4metropolitan area is a major problem confronting not only the citizens of

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

• Page 5, Line 6The general assembly further finds that, although mass transportation is

• Page 5, Line 7one component of an effective surface transportation system, the

• Page 5, Line 8allocation of resources to mass transportation must be made in light of all

• Page 5, Line 9surface transportation needs. The general assembly further finds that the

• Page 5, Line 10district should be organized efficiently, economically, and on a

• Page 5, Line 11demand-responsive basis and that the district should consider least-cost alternatives in discharging its responsibilities.

• Page 5, Line 12(10)  In discharging its responsibilities, the district shall

• Page 5, Line 13align with the greenhouse gas reduction targets set forth in

• Page 5, Line 14section 25-7-102 (2)(g); the goals set forth in the governor's

• Page 5, Line 15"Transportation Vision 2035", which includes an eighty-three

• Page 5, Line 16percent increase in transit service by 2035; and the mode choice

• Page 5, Line 17targets developed pursuant to section 43-1-138, as added by

• Page 5, Line 18Senate Bill 25-030, enacted in 2025. The district shall develop

• Page 5, Line 19performance measures to evaluate its progress in aligning with

• Page 5, Line 20these state climate goals. In assessing climate impact, the

• Page 5, Line 21district shall consider the extent to which its services reduce

• Page 5, Line 22vehicle miles traveled by increasing transit ridership and

• Page 5, Line 23encouraging the development of dense, walkable, and less car-dependent communities near transit stations and corridors.

• Page 5, Line 24(11)  The district shall establish goals for employee

• Page 6, Line 1retention. The district shall develop performance measures to evaluate its progress toward its employee retention goals.

• Page 6, Line 2(12)  The district shall adhere to the requirements of

• Page 6, Line 3"General Directive 24-1: Required Actions Regarding Assaults

• Page 6, Line 4on Transit Workers", issued on September 25, 2024, by the

• Page 6, Line 5federal transit administration of the United States department of transportation.

• Page 6, Line 6SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 32-9-165, 32-9-166, 32-9-167, 32-9-168, and 32-9-169 as follows:

• Page 6, Line 732-9-165.  Planning - ten-year plan - comprehensive

• Page 6, Line 8operational analysis - reporting - funding study - transit-oriented

• Page 6, Line 9community infrastructure. (1) Ten-year strategic plan. (a)  No later

• Page 6, Line 10than April 10, 2026, the district shall create a ten-year strategic plan. The plan must:

• Page 6, Line 11(I)  In collaboration with local governments, identify

• Page 6, Line 12performance measures and targets for service, ridership,

• Page 6, Line 13enrollment in the district's EcoPass program and income-based

• Page 6, Line 14fare discount program, and the percentages of residences and

• Page 6, Line 15jobs within one-quarter mile of a frequent transit route. The

• Page 6, Line 16performance measures and targets must align with state and

• Page 6, Line 17regional goals for mode choice, land use, climate, equity, and safety;

• Page 6, Line 18(II)  Identify transportation facilities and services,

• Page 6, Line 19including the expansion or improvement of existing facilities and

• Page 6, Line 20services, required to meet service and ridership goals in the district's service territory over the ten-year period;

• Page 6, Line 21(III)  Include a fiscally constrained plan outlining the

• Page 7, Line 1transit projects and services that are expected to be funded

• Page 7, Line 2with the current budget, which must be updated periodically if the funding picture changes substantially;

• Page 7, Line 3(IV)  Include a fiscally unconstrained option that

• Page 7, Line 4describes service and investments needed to meet the district's

• Page 7, Line 5identified performance measures and targets for service,

• Page 7, Line 6ridership, and the percentages of residences and jobs within one-quarter mile of a frequent transit route; and

• Page 7, Line 7(V)  Identify expected environmental, social, and economic

• Page 7, Line 8impacts of the recommendations contained in the transportation plan.

• Page 7, Line 9(b)  For each service, facility, or capital project identified

• Page 7, Line 10in the ten-year plan, the plan must specify and regularly update as circumstances change:

• Page 7, Line 11(I)  The time frame during which the project is expected to be completed;

• Page 7, Line 12(II)  The total estimated amount of funding required to complete the project; and

• Page 7, Line 13(III)  Funding opportunities that account for the total

• Page 7, Line 14estimated amount of funding for the project, including the

• Page 7, Line 15amount of funding from each funding source that has been

• Page 7, Line 16allocated for the project or is anticipated to be allocated for the project.

• Page 7, Line 17(c)  The district shall update the ten-year strategic plan every four years.

• Page 7, Line 18(d)  In creating the ten-year strategic plan, the district

• Page 7, Line 19shall coordinate with the department of transportation, the

• Page 8, Line 1Denver regional council of governments, and local governments within the district's service territory.

• Page 8, Line 2(e)  In conjunction with the creation of its ten-year

• Page 8, Line 3strategic plan, the district shall study and identify or contract

• Page 8, Line 4with a third party to study and identify opportunities to

• Page 8, Line 5increase the district's funding to achieve the goals, measures, and targets identified in the ten-year strategic plan.

• Page 8, Line 6(2)  Comprehensive operational analysis.No later than April

• Page 8, Line 710, 2026, and no less frequently than every five years

• Page 8, Line 8thereafter, the district shall create a comprehensive operational analysis. The analysis must:

• Page 8, Line 9(a)  Assess existing services and travel patterns;

• Page 8, Line 10(b)  Evaluate the district's financial capacity and funding opportunities;

• Page 8, Line 11(c)  Identify specific transit routes or services for

• Page 8, Line 12implementation as identified in the fiscally constrained projects

• Page 8, Line 13list of the applicable ten-year plan required by subsection (1) of this section; and

• Page 8, Line 14(d)  Make recommendations on achieving the goals

• Page 8, Line 15identified in the applicable ten-year plan required by subsection (1) of this section.

• Page 8, Line 16(3) Reports. (a) (I)  During each legislative interim, the

• Page 8, Line 17district shall present a report on its progress in delivering the

• Page 8, Line 18projects identified in the ten-year strategic plan described in

• Page 8, Line 19subsection (1) of this section and the comprehensive operational

• Page 8, Line 20analysis described in subsection (2) of this section to the

• Page 8, Line 21transportation legislation review committee created in section

• Page 9, Line 143-2-145 (1)(a). As part of the report, the district shall provide

• Page 9, Line 2guidance to the committee as to how to access and understand

• Page 9, Line 3the plan and analysis, and the committee may, if it determines

• Page 9, Line 4that the plan or analysis does not include all the information

• Page 9, Line 5required by subsection (1) or (2) of this section, instruct the

• Page 9, Line 6district to ensure that any missing information is promptly added.

• Page 9, Line 7(II)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 9, Line 8(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in this subsection (3) continues indefinitely.

• Page 9, Line 9(b)  The district shall report quarterly to its board of

• Page 9, Line 10directors on its progress in developing and delivering the

• Page 9, Line 11ten-year strategic plan described in subsection (1) of this

• Page 9, Line 12section and the comprehensive operational analysis described in subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 9, Line 13(4)  Transit-oriented community infrastructure.The district

• Page 9, Line 14shall periodically notify the Denver regional council of

• Page 9, Line 15governments and the department of local affairs of any known

• Page 9, Line 16infrastructure gaps that exist within a transit center, as

• Page 9, Line 17defined in section 29-35-202 (9), within the district's service territory.

• Page 9, Line 1832-9-166.  Information dashboards. (1)  The district shall create, maintain, and publish on its public website:

• Page 9, Line 19(a)  A public accountability dashboard that shows:

• (I)  By transit route:

• Page 9, Line 20(A)  Data on ridership, including total ridership and

• Page 9, Line 21weekend and weekday ridership;

• Page 10, Line 1(B)  On-time performance, including a clear definition of what constitutes on-time performance;

• Page 10, Line 2(C)  Farebox recovery ratio;

• (D)  Boardings per hour; and

• Page 10, Line 3(E)  Reliability of service; and

• Page 10, Line 4(II)  Progress toward meeting performance targets relating to ridership growth and service provision;

• Page 10, Line 5(b)  A public accountability dashboard that shows the

• Page 10, Line 6district's workforce statistics regarding employee retention, recruitment, and vacancies;

• Page 10, Line 7(c)  A public accountability dashboard on transit safety, including data on passenger safety and driver safety;

• Page 10, Line 8(d)  A public accountability dashboard that provides, at

• Page 10, Line 9a minimum, accessible and transparent summary information

• Page 10, Line 10regarding each of the district's in-progress capital projects that

• Page 10, Line 11exceeds ten million dollars; the funding status of each project,

• Page 10, Line 12including the project's total funding and expenditures to date;

• Page 10, Line 13and the district's progress toward the completion of each project;

• Page 10, Line 14(e)  A summary page for planned service changes that

• Page 10, Line 15includes detailed timing changes; the reasons for any planned

• Page 10, Line 16changes; and the impacts of the planned changes, including effects on local transfers; and

• Page 10, Line 17(f)  The district's progress toward meeting the

• Page 10, Line 18performance measures and targets identified in its ten-year

• Page 10, Line 19strategic plan pursuant to section 32-5-165 (1). The district

• Page 10, Line 20shall update this progress on a quarterly basis.

• Page 11, Line 1(2)  The district shall first create and publish the

• Page 11, Line 2information required by subsection (1) of this section no later than December 1, 2025.

• Page 11, Line 3(3)  The district shall review and update the dashboards at least quarterly.

• Page 11, Line 432-9-167.  Required policy updates - service policies and

• Page 11, Line 5standards - equitable transit-oriented development policy - service

• Page 11, Line 6buy-up policy - communication protocols - parking policies and

• Page 11, Line 7strategies. (1)  On or before December 31, 2025, and every two

• Page 11, Line 8years thereafter, the district shall update its service policies and standards to:

• Page 11, Line 9(a)  Define and map transit propensity based on population

• Page 11, Line 10density, income, diversity, motor vehicle ownership, and other characteristics that influence transit ridership;

• Page 11, Line 11(b)  Establish a clear and transparent process for service

• Page 11, Line 12changes, under which proposed changes include publicly

• Page 11, Line 13accessible information outlining the reasons for the changes

• Page 11, Line 14and how they align with identified performance measures and the comprehensive operational analysis;

• Page 11, Line 15(c)  Work with entities hosting special events to facilitate

• Page 11, Line 16increased ridership to and from the events, so long as the

• Page 11, Line 17facilitation of increased ridership is additive to existing service; and

• Page 11, Line 18(d)  Evaluate and set clear and objective standards for

• Page 11, Line 19the productivity of existing routes, including providing for

• Page 11, Line 20service adjustments on those routes if they do not meet the

• Page 11, Line 21identified standards.

• Page 12, Line 1(2)  On or before April 10, 2026, the district shall update its equitable transit-oriented development policy to:

• Page 12, Line 2(a)  Align with applicable transit-oriented policies and

• Page 12, Line 3housing opportunity goals as described in part 2 of article 35 of title 29;

• Page 12, Line 4(b)  Align with applicable local government parking requirements as described in part 3 of article 35 of title 29; and

• Page 12, Line 5(c)  Enable the development of affordable housing and

• Page 12, Line 6dense, walkable, mixed-used communities near transit stations and routes.

• Page 12, Line 7(3) (a)  On or before December 31, 2025, the district shall

• Page 12, Line 8update its service buy-up policy in consultation with

• Page 12, Line 9stakeholders, including local governments, to outline a process

• Page 12, Line 10for local governments and business partners to propose to purchase additional services from the district.

• Page 12, Line 11(b)  The district shall evaluate these additional service

• Page 12, Line 12proposals and, where feasible, create plans to accommodate the proposals.

• Page 12, Line 13(4)  On or before December 31, 2025, the district shall

• Page 12, Line 14create and periodically update, as necessary, a policy outlining communication protocols for:

• Page 12, Line 15(a)  Planned and unplanned service disruptions;

• (b)  Service substitutions; and

• Page 12, Line 16(c)  Contingency plans for service disruptions and substitutions.

• Page 12, Line 17(5)  The district shall work with local governments within

• Page 12, Line 18its service territory to implement parking and transportation

• Page 13, Line 1demand management strategies and policies to optimize the use

• Page 13, Line 2of new and existing parking supply, as identified in the best

• Page 13, Line 3practices and technical assistance materials developed pursuant to section 29-35-305.

• Page 13, Line 432-9-168.  EcoPass program - bulk purchasers - apartment

• Page 13, Line 5building survey - report - definitions. (1)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 13, Line 6(a)  "Bulk purchaser" means an entity that has a legal

• Page 13, Line 7relationship with and that provides goods or services to a group

• Page 13, Line 8of employees, residents, or members. "Bulk purchaser" includes,

• Page 13, Line 9without limitation, an employer, a building owner or manager,

• Page 13, Line 10a local government, a business improvement district, a business

• Page 13, Line 11or trade association, a homeowners' association, a neighborhood

• Page 13, Line 12association, a nonprofit organization, or any combination of such entities.

• Page 13, Line 13(b)  "Covered development" means a development that is in

• Page 13, Line 14an area covered by the requirements of part 3 of article 35 of

• Page 13, Line 15title 29 and that has received land use approval after June 30,

• Page 13, Line 162025, for a multifamily residential development; adaptive re-use

• Page 13, Line 17for residential purposes; or adaptive re-use mixed-use purposes

• Page 13, Line 18that include at least fifty percent of use for residential purposes.

• Page 13, Line 19(c)  "EcoPass program" means a program operated by the

• Page 13, Line 20district that provides annual prepaid transit passes for

• Page 13, Line 21unlimited usage of the district's transit services. "EcoPass

• Page 13, Line 22program" includes the EcoPass and Neighborhood EcoPass

• Page 13, Line 23programs, or their successor programs.

• Page 14, Line 1(2) (a)  The district shall administer an outreach program

• Page 14, Line 2to promote the EcoPass program to bulk purchasers. In

• Page 14, Line 3conducting outreach, the district shall present the following information to the bulk purchaser:

• Page 14, Line 4(I)  Succinct information on current and planned transit

• Page 14, Line 5service within the area relevant to the bulk purchaser,

• Page 14, Line 6including information on the proximity, frequency, and popularity of applicable transit routes; and

• Page 14, Line 7(II)  The estimated per-user cost expressed in per-year and

• Page 14, Line 8per-month terms. If the bulk purchaser is an employer, the

• Page 14, Line 9per-user cost must include the amount of the alternative

• Page 14, Line 10transportation options tax credit allowed pursuant to section 39-22-509.

• Page 14, Line 11(b)  The outreach program must include periodic proactive

• Page 14, Line 12outreach to bulk purchasers. In conducting proactive outreach,

• Page 14, Line 13the district shall prioritize bulk purchasers in and near transit

• Page 14, Line 14centers, as defined in section 29-35-202 (9), neighborhood

• Page 14, Line 15centers, as defined in section 29-35-202 (5), and applicable transit service areas, as defined in section 29-35-302 (3).

• Page 14, Line 16(c)  The district shall conduct the outreach program in

• Page 14, Line 17coordination with the Denver regional council of governments

• Page 14, Line 18and with transportation management associations that partner

• Page 14, Line 19with the Denver regional council of government's "Way to Go" program.

• Page 14, Line 20(3) (a)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 14, Line 21minimize the administrative workload for bulk purchasers and

• Page 14, Line 22the recipients of bulk-purchased EcoPasses, including the bulk purchaser's employees, residents, or members.

• Page 15, Line 1(b)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 15, Line 2enroll all recipients of bulk-purchased EcoPasses at one time,

• Page 15, Line 3rather than enrolling a bulk purchaser's employees, residents, or members on an individual basis.

• Page 15, Line 4(c)  The district shall, to the greatest extent feasible,

• Page 15, Line 5allow a group of related bulk purchasers that seeks to provide

• Page 15, Line 6bulk-purchased EcoPasses to employees, residents, or members

• Page 15, Line 7of each related bulk purchaser to apply with one application for enrollment in the EcoPass Program.

• Page 15, Line 8(4) (a)  No later than one year after the date that the

• Page 15, Line 9first resident moves into a covered development, the covered

• Page 15, Line 10development shall survey its residents about the residents'

• Page 15, Line 11interest in having the covered development provide

• Page 15, Line 12bulk-purchased EcoPasses to its residents. The survey must

• Page 15, Line 13include the per-user cost of the bulk-purchased EcoPasses, as provided by the district.

• Page 15, Line 14(b)  If a majority of residents respond to the survey that

• Page 15, Line 15they would like the covered development to provide

• Page 15, Line 16bulk-purchased EcoPasses, the covered development shall

• Page 15, Line 17enroll in the EcoPass program for its residents. The owner or

• Page 15, Line 18manager of the covered development is the centralized payer of

• Page 15, Line 19the costs and fees associated with the EcoPass program, which it may recoup from its residents.

• Page 15, Line 20(c)  On or before January 1, 2026, the district shall create

• Page 15, Line 21and publish an online survey tool that covered developments

• Page 15, Line 22may use to conduct the survey required by this subsection (4).

• Page 16, Line 1(5) (a)  On or before January 31, 2026, and on or before

• Page 16, Line 2each January 31 thereafter, the district shall report on the

• Page 16, Line 3EcoPass program to a joint session of the house of

• Page 16, Line 4representatives transportation, housing, and local government

• Page 16, Line 5committee and the senate transportation and energy committee,

• Page 16, Line 6or their successor committees. The report must include information concerning:

• Page 16, Line 7(I)  The district's outreach efforts, as described in

• Page 16, Line 8subsection (2) of this section, including quantitative details on the district's proactive outreach;

• Page 16, Line 9(II)  The district's administrative efforts, as described in subsection (3) of this section; and

• Page 16, Line 10(III)  The survey required for covered developments, as

• Page 16, Line 11described in subsection (4) of this section, including the number and results of the surveys conducted.

• Page 16, Line 12(b)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 16, Line 13(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in this subsection (5)(a) continues indefinitely.

• Page 16, Line 1432-9-169.  Income-based fare discount program - enrollment

• Page 16, Line 15targets - reports - legislative declaration. (1)  Legislative declaration.The general assembly finds and declares that:

• Page 16, Line 16(a)  Individuals who qualify for public assistance often

• Page 16, Line 17face barriers to enrolling in benefits for which they are eligible, including administrative workload and stigma; and

• Page 16, Line 18(b)  To reduce these barriers, the regional transportation

• Page 16, Line 19district shall update the enrollment process for its

• Page 16, Line 20income-based fare discount program.

• Page 17, Line 1(2) Enrollment and eligibility certification. (a)  On or before

• Page 17, Line 2January 1, 2026, the district shall develop within the district's

• Page 17, Line 3mobile application a self-certification affidavit to apply and

• Page 17, Line 4qualify for the district's income-based fare discount program.

• Page 17, Line 5The district shall eliminate all other application methods for the income-based fare discount program.

• Page 17, Line 6(b)  Beginning on January 1, 2026, the district shall enroll

• Page 17, Line 7in the income-based fare discount program all applicants who

• Page 17, Line 8self-certify their eligibility via a self-certification affidavit described in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

• Page 17, Line 9(c)  At the expiration of an individual's three months of

• Page 17, Line 10initial enrollment in the income-based fare discount program,

• Page 17, Line 11the district may require the individual to provide proof of

• Page 17, Line 12eligibility beyond the self-certification affidavit. The district

• Page 17, Line 13shall accept multiple forms of proof of eligibility, including

• Page 17, Line 14proof of the individual's enrollment in a public assistance

• Page 17, Line 15program that the district determines qualifies the individual for eligibility for the income-based fare discount program.

• Page 17, Line 16(3)  The district shall widely publicize the change in

• Page 17, Line 17application procedure for the income-based fare discount

• Page 17, Line 18program and the availability of the self-certification affidavit described in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

• Page 17, Line 19(4)  Enrollment targets.The board of directors of the

• Page 17, Line 20district shall adopt enrollment targets for the income-based fare discount program.

• Page 17, Line 21(5) Reports. (a)  On or before January 31, 2026, and on or

• Page 17, Line 22before each January 31 thereafter, the district shall report on

• Page 18, Line 1its efforts to increase enrollment in the income-based fare

• Page 18, Line 2discount program to a joint session of the house of

• Page 18, Line 3representatives transportation, housing, and local government

• Page 18, Line 4committee and the senate transportation and energy committee,

• Page 18, Line 5or their successor committees. Notwithstanding the

• Page 18, Line 6requirement in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the requirement to

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

• Page 18, Line 8(b)  The district shall periodically report to the board on

• Page 18, Line 9its efforts to increase enrollment in and meet its established

• Page 18, Line 10enrollment targets for the income-based fare discount program.

• Page 18, Line 11SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 43-1-106, amend (15) introductory portion; and add (15)(f) as follows:

• Page 18, Line 1243-1-106.  Transportation commission - efficiency and

• Page 18, Line 13accountability committee - powers and duties - report - rules -

• Page 18, Line 14definitions. (15)  In addition to any other duties required by law, the commission shall have has the following charges:

• Page 18, Line 15(f)  On or before March 31, 2026, to develop and publish

• Page 18, Line 16best practices and technical assistance materials concerning

• Page 18, Line 17the creation of regional transportation authorities pursuant

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

• Page 18, Line 19article 4 of this title 43, to increase funding for transit and to provide additional transit services within the state.

• Page 18, Line 20SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-109.5, amend (1) and (4); and add (3.5) and (5) as follows:

• Page 18, Line 2132-9-109.5.  Board of directors - membership - powers -

• Page 19, Line 1legislative declaration - repeal. (1)  Effective January 1, 1983, the

• Page 19, Line 2governing body of the district shall be is a board of directors consisting

• Page 19, Line 3of fifteen persons voting members, each of whom is an eligible elector

• Page 19, Line 4residing within the director district, and two nonvoting ex officio

• Page 19, Line 5members appointed pursuant to subsection (3.5) of this section who represent the district at large.

• Page 19, Line 6(3.5) (a)  The two nonvoting ex officio directors of the

• Page 19, Line 7board are the executive director of the department of

• Page 19, Line 8transportation or the executive director's designee and an

• Page 19, Line 9individual appointed by the Denver regional council of

• Page 19, Line 10governments. The nonvoting ex officio directors must have expertise in public transportation.

• Page 19, Line 11(b) (I)  The executive director of the department of

• Page 19, Line 12transportation, if appointing a designee, and the Denver

• Page 19, Line 13regional council of governments shall designate their initial

• Page 19, Line 14appointees to the board no later than August 29, 2025. The term of the initial appointees ends on December 31, 2028.

• Page 19, Line 15(II)  After the initial term of the initial appointees, the

• Page 19, Line 16executive director of the department of transportation, if

• Page 19, Line 17appointing a designee, and the Denver regional council of

• Page 19, Line 18governments shall designate their appointees to the board on or before January 1, 2029, and every four years thereafter.

• Page 19, Line 19(c)  The nonvoting ex officio directors serve on the board as follows:

• Page 19, Line 20(I)  The ex officio directors may sit with the board and

• Page 19, Line 21participate in discussions of agenda items but shall not vote on

• Page 19, Line 22any matter coming before the board or make any motion regarding any matter before the board;

• Page 20, Line 1(II)  The ex officio directors may be compensated pursuant to section 32-9-117;

• Page 20, Line 2(III)  The ex officio directors must be provided the same

• Page 20, Line 3board materials as are provided to other members of the board, including any information that may be deemed confidential;

• Page 20, Line 4(IV)  The ex officio directors may participate in or attend

• Page 20, Line 5executive or closed sessions of the board subject to all board

• Page 20, Line 6rules, regulations, and policies, including but not limited to those relating to conflicts of interest and confidentiality;

• Page 20, Line 7(V)  An ex officio director shall not be elected as an officer of the board; and

• Page 20, Line 8(VI)  The ex officio directors shall observe all rules,

• Page 20, Line 9regulations, and policies applicable to members of the board and

• Page 20, Line 10any other conditions, restrictions, or requirements established

• Page 20, Line 11or directed by a vote of a majority of the voting directors of the board.

• Page 20, Line 12(4)  All powers, duties, functions, rights, and privileges vested in

• Page 20, Line 13the district shall be exercised and performed by the board; except that the

• Page 20, Line 14exercise of any executive, administrative, or ministerial powers may be

• Page 20, Line 15delegated by the board to officers and employees of the district. These

• Page 20, Line 16powers, duties, functions, rights, and privileges include, in

• Page 20, Line 17addition to any other powers and duties specified in this article 9:

• Page 20, Line 18(a)  Setting policy objectives to be implemented by employees of the district;

• Page 20, Line 19(b)  Hiring and managing the district's general manager and chief executive officer;

• Page 21, Line 1(c)  Overseeing the district's general counsel;

• Page 21, Line 2(d)  Developing, adopting, and overseeing the district's

• Page 21, Line 3budget, including an annual capital budget with project costs and financing mechanisms;

• Page 21, Line 4(e)  Developing and approving the district's ten-year strategic plan and comprehensive operational analysis;

• Page 21, Line 5(f)  Engaging with constituents, local governments, the

• Page 21, Line 6department of transportation, the Denver regional council of

• Page 21, Line 7governments, transit agencies, and community partners to

• Page 21, Line 8obtain input and feedback on the district's decisions and operations;

• Page 21, Line 9(g)  Pursuing opportunities to grow transit ridership and make transit services competitive with driving; and

• Page 21, Line 10(h)  Developing and promoting strategies and legislation

• Page 21, Line 11to ensure that the district has the resources it needs to implement its strategic ten-year plan.

• Page 21, Line 12(5) (a)  The general assembly finds and declares that

• Page 21, Line 13increased collaboration and support among the district, the

• Page 21, Line 14Denver regional council of governments, and the department of

• Page 21, Line 15transportation is necessary to achieve the goals of the district

• Page 21, Line 16and the state, and that two ex officio members representing the

• Page 21, Line 17Denver regional council of governments and the department of transportation should therefore be added to the board.

• Page 21, Line 18(b)  This subsection (5) is repealed, effective July 1, 2025.

• Page 21, Line 19SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-111, add (5)(g)

• Page 21, Line 20as follows:

• Page 22, Line 132-9-111.  Election of directors - dates - terms. (5) (g) (I)  A

• Page 22, Line 2candidate for elected director is not eligible for election as a write-in candidate.

• Page 22, Line 3(II) (A)  If, for any district election, there is not a

• Page 22, Line 4candidate for director who is nominated for election pursuant

• Page 22, Line 5to this section, a director is appointed in lieu of the director

• Page 22, Line 6being elected by the eligible electors of the district. In such

• Page 22, Line 7case, a director is appointed by the board of county

• Page 22, Line 8commissioners of the county in which the director district is

• Page 22, Line 9located or, in the case of a director district in the city and

• Page 22, Line 10county of Denver, the director is appointed by the mayor of the

• Page 22, Line 11city and county of Denver with the approval of the city council.

• Page 22, Line 12In the case of a director district that contains territory in two

• Page 22, Line 13or more counties, or in the city and county of Denver and in one

• Page 22, Line 14or more counties, a director is appointed by the board of county

• Page 22, Line 15commissioners of the county in which the largest number of

• Page 22, Line 16eligible electors of the director district reside; except that, if

• Page 22, Line 17the largest number of eligible electors of the director district

• Page 22, Line 18reside in the city and county of Denver, the director is appointed

• Page 22, Line 19by the mayor of the city and county of Denver with the approval of the city council.

• Page 22, Line 20(B)  A director appointed pursuant to this subsection

• Page 22, Line 21(5)(g)(II) serves until the next regular November election, at

• Page 22, Line 22which the director position is filled by election pursuant to this section.

• Page 22, Line 23SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 32-9-112, amend

• Page 22, Line 24(1.5); and add (4) as follows:

• Page 23, Line 132-9-112.  Vacancies - appointments - recall. (1.5)  Any director

• Page 23, Line 2appointed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall serve until

• Page 23, Line 3the next regular election, at which time the vacancy shall be filled by election for any remaining unexpired portion of the term.

• Page 23, Line 4(4)  Upon a vacancy occurring for any reason other than

• Page 23, Line 5normal expiration of a term, the vacancy of an ex officio

• Page 23, Line 6director is filled by appointment of the applicable appointing

• Page 23, Line 7authority not later than sixty business days from the date the

• Page 23, Line 8vacancy is deemed to exist. An individual appointed to fill a

• Page 23, Line 9vacancy of an appointed ex officio director serves until the

• Page 23, Line 10term of the next individual appointed to that director position begins.

• Page 23, Line 11SECTION 9.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-38.5-123 as follows:

• Page 23, Line 1224-38.5-123.  Regional transportation district accountability

• Page 23, Line 13committee - creation - membership - report - definitions - repeal.

• Page 23, Line 14(1)  Definitions.As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 23, Line 15(a)  "Colorado energy office" or "office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101.

• Page 23, Line 16(b)  "District" means the regional transportation district created in article 9 of title 32.

• Page 23, Line 17(c)  "RTD accountability committee" or "committee" means

• Page 23, Line 18the regional transportation district accountability committee created in subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 23, Line 19(2) Membership. (a)  There is created in the Colorado

• Page 23, Line 20energy office the regional transportation district

• Page 24, Line 1accountability committee. The purpose of the committee is to

• Page 24, Line 2evaluate and make recommendations concerning the district as described in subsection (3) of this section.

• Page 24, Line 3(b) (I)  The committee consists of eleven voting members and two ex officio nonvoting members as follows:

• Page 24, Line 4(A)  Five voting members appointed by the governor, including the chair of the committee;

• Page 24, Line 5(B)  Two voting members appointed by the president of the senate;

• Page 24, Line 6(C)  One voting member appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

• Page 24, Line 7(D)  Two voting members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

• Page 24, Line 8(E)  One member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and

• Page 24, Line 9(F)  Two ex officio nonvoting members who are members of

• Page 24, Line 10the board of directors of the district and who are appointed by the board of directors of the district.

• Page 24, Line 11(II)  In appointing members to the committee, the appointing

• Page 24, Line 12authorities shall ensure that the committee as a whole has expertise in all of the following areas:

• Page 24, Line 13(A)  Local government within the district's service area;

• (B)  Economic development;

• Page 24, Line 14(C)  Human resources;

• (D)  Multimodal transportation;

• Page 24, Line 15(E)  Transportation equity;

• Page 24, Line 16(F)  Issues impacting transit riders with disabilities;

• (G)  Financial planning and management;

• Page 25, Line 1(H)  Urban planning;

• (I)  Workforce; and

• Page 25, Line 2(J)  Safety.

• Page 25, Line 3(c) (I)  The appointing authorities shall make the

• Page 25, Line 4appointments described in subsection (2) of this section no later than August 1, 2025.

• Page 25, Line 5(II)  Each member of the committee serves at the pleasure

• Page 25, Line 6of the appointing authority. The term of appointment is for the duration of the committee's existence.

• Page 25, Line 7(III)  If a vacancy occurs on the committee for any reason,

• Page 25, Line 8the original appointing authority shall appoint an individual to

• Page 25, Line 9fill the vacancy as soon as possible after the vacancy occurs.

• Page 25, Line 10In making the vacancy appointment, the appointing authority

• Page 25, Line 11shall ensure that the committee maintains the expertise required by subsection (2)(b)(II) of this section.

• Page 25, Line 12(d)  Each member of the committee serves without compensation.

• Page 25, Line 13(e)  Members of the committee may participate remotely in committee meetings and other activities.

• Page 25, Line 14(f)  The office shall be available to assist the committee in carrying out its duties.

• Page 25, Line 15(3) Evaluation and recommendations. (a)  The purpose of the committee is to evaluate and make recommendations on:

• Page 25, Line 16(I)  The governance structure of the board of directors and executive leadership of the district;

• Page 25, Line 17(II)  Compensation for the board of directors and executive leadership of the district;

• Page 26, Line 1(III)  The representation of local governments and state agencies within the district; and

• Page 26, Line 2(IV)  The district's workforce retention.

• Page 26, Line 3(b)  The committee's work is intended to build on the work

• Page 26, Line 4of the previous RTD accountability committee created in 2020.

• Page 26, Line 5The committee should begin its evaluation pursuant to this

• Page 26, Line 6subsection (3) with an assessment of the status of each

• Page 26, Line 7recommendation included in the previous RTD accountability committee's July 2021 final report.

• Page 26, Line 8(c)  On or before January 30, 2026, the committee shall

• Page 26, Line 9submit a report to the governor, the house of representatives

• Page 26, Line 10transportation, housing, and local government committee, and

• Page 26, Line 11the senate transportation and energy committee, or their

• Page 26, Line 12successor committees, that includes a summary of the work

• Page 26, Line 13accomplished by the RTD accountability committee, the findings

• Page 26, Line 14of its evaluation, and any recommendations to the general assembly concerning matters evaluated by the committee.

• Page 26, Line 15(4)  Repeal.This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

• Page 26, Line 16SECTION 10.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds,

• Page 26, Line 17determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate

• Page 26, Line 18preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

• Page 26, Line 19the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.