[Colorado-Talk] RTD Update: A Bigger Win Than Reported, Plus Tomorrow's Angle

Tue Jul 28 17:29:58 UTC 2026

First Tim, I want to thank you for your excellent leadership and advocacy
here--this is a very big deal and I am glad no one wants to take a position
that preserving paratransit only for current people is OK.   I am also
concerned about leaving any neighborhood that currently has service with
nothing, even for fixed route because for us non-drivers we do not have
other options outside of transit, at least not affordable ones.

I do think that the board can make a decision at any time to reduce
services even if they previously decided not to do so, except if their
decision impacts a civil rights issue.    Right now I think that even if it
was a civil rights issue not sure DOT would enforce or care.     They also
may start with one set of recommendations and then make adjustments as they
see how it plays out.  The cost and ridership estimates are guesses, good
guesses but guesses.  So I am not sure it would be inappropriate for them
to revisit as they move into implementation, but it has to be done
appropriately because having a system with constant changes is not good
either and will drive away the few choice users we have left.  However I
would defer to others if I am incorrect.

With Gratitude,

Julie Reiskin
Co-Executive Director
Email Address: jreiskin at ccdconline.org
Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
1385 S. Colorado Blvd. Bldg. A., Suite 610
Denver, CO 80222
Organizational phone: 303-839-1775 | Direct Phone: 303-667-4216

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On Tue, Jul 28, 2026 at 4:08 AM Tim Keenan via Colorado-Talk <
colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> He was, and he did, which seemed weird given how he fought for us on
> Access on Demand. Director Ruscha told me that he is really in our corner,
> and he did as well, so I guess I’ll take what he said at that May meeting
> as just a one-off. “Since this isn’t mandated, we would be forced to cut
> it.”
>
>
>
> Your question regarding whether the Board can later alter a percentage
> they agree to at tonight’s meeting is a good one, and I don’t know the
> answer.
>
> Does anyone else out here? Gary? Claudia? Julie? Jaime?
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tim
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On Behalf Of *Erin
> Daley via Colorado-Talk
> *Sent:* Monday, July 27, 2026 4:01 PM
> *To:* NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Erin Daley <edaley at cocenter.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Colorado-Talk] RTD Update: A Bigger Win Than Reported,
> Plus Tomorrow's Angle
>
>
>
> Thank you so much, Tim! So tomorrow the board will be deciding which
> proposed service cuts to look at, and I’m guessing at that point is when
> RTD will go through and decide which routes, etc. to cut and that will be
> discussed at the September board meeting? My question is whether or not the
> board can go back on whatever percentage they vote on tonight. For
> instance, if they vote on 10% tomorrow and look at routes in September can
> they lower or increase if they choose? And I will send thank you emails,
> but correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t Director Guzman the same one who
> mentioned getting rid of the AOD service at an operations or finance
> meeting a month or two ago?
>
>
>
> Thank you!
>
>
>
> Erin M. Daley
>
> Membership Development and Strategic Communications Coordinator
>
> Pronouns: she/her
>
>
>
> *National Federation of the Blind of Colorado*
>
> Phone: 303.778.1130 Ext: 219
>
> 2233 W. Shepperd Ave.
>
> Littleton, CO 80120
>
>
>
> *From:* Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On Behalf Of *Tim
> Keenan via Colorado-Talk
> *Sent:* Monday, July 27, 2026 9:11 AM
> *To:* colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> *Cc:* Tim Keenan <tkeenan79 at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* [Colorado-Talk] RTD Update: A Bigger Win Than Reported, Plus
> Tomorrow's Angle
>
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> Quick correction and update ahead of tomorrow's Board meeting.
>
> THE AMENDMENT WENT FURTHER THAN I ORIGINALLY REPORTED
>
> Last time, I told you Director Ruscha's June amendment protected
> paratransit funding. That was accurate but incomplete. Thanks to ADAPT
> Colorado's newsletter, we now have the actual motion language, and it does
> more than protect a budget line:
>
> "I move to amend the item to clarify that the service modification models
> exclude modifications to Access-a-Ride and Access-on-Demand, and that RTD
> continue the practice of preserving the Access-a-Ride service areas for
> current customers in the event of a reduction or elimination of fixed route
> bus service."
>
> In plain terms: the 5-20% cut scenarios on the table for tomorrow do not
> touch AAR or AOD directly, and current AAR customers keep their
> service-area eligibility even if the fixed route in their area gets cut or
> eliminated. That's a real, substantive win, and Director Ruscha (with
> Director Guzman) delivered it. It passed 10-5.
>
> If you haven't already, a thank-you to Director Ruscha (
> joyann.ruscha at rtd-denver.com) and Director Guzman,
> Michael.Guzman at rtd-denver.com, along with the full Board (
> RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com) goes a long way. Several of us have already
> sent ours.
>
>
>
> WHAT THIS MEANS FOR TOMORROW'S PUBLIC COMMENT
>
> Because of this amendment, the eligibility-loss argument we've been
> leaning on is largely resolved for current riders. If you're planning to
> speak or submit written comment tomorrow, here's the angle that still
> matters:
>
> 1. The protection is for CURRENT customers only. Someone who isn't yet an
> AAR customer but lives along a route slated for cuts has no guaranteed path
> to eligibility once that route is gone. As routes get cut over time and the
> customer base turns over, that gap will only grow. Ask the Board to commit
> to extending the same protection to future applicants in affected areas, or
> at minimum to have the SB 26-150 independent paratransit study explicitly
> examine this gap.
>
> 2. The larger case against cutting service at all still stands. Whatever
> cut level the Board picks tomorrow (0-20%), remind them that RTD has not
> exhausted every other option, and that going to voters in 2028 for more
> funding will land better coming from an agency that visibly tried
> everything else first.
>
> 3. Specific routes won't be decided until likely September, so tomorrow
> isn't the day to fight for individual routes. It's the day to set the tone:
> acknowledge the win on paratransit, and hold the line on caution before any
> cuts at all.
>
>
>
> The meeting is Tuesday, July 28 at 5:30 PM at 1660 Blake Street. Written
> comment can go anytime to RTD.Directors at rtd-denver.com.
>
>
>
> Thanks for your time!
>
>
>
>
>
> Tim Keenan
>
> State Transportation Chair
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
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