What’s RTD? Where’s District K?

and other

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s RTD?

RTD stands for the Regional Transportation District. It’s the public agency that runs bus service and rail service (light rail and commuter rail) across the Denver metro region, and it is governed by a 15-member, publicly elected Board of Directors.

Where is District K?

District K is an RTD Board district in Adams County. It covers a large area of north and east Adams County, including communities like Commerce City and Brighton and lots of Thornton and unincorporated areas. The easiest way to confirm whether you live in District K is to use RTD’s interactive district map.

Do so here: Map (the incumbent is Troy Whitmore)

What does the RTD Board actually do?

The Board sets RTD’s direction and holds the agency accountable. In plain terms, the Board:

  • Sets policy and priorities (service, safety, budgets, and long-range plans)

  • Hires and evaluates the General Manager

  • Oversees major investments, contracts, and performance expectations

Your race is labeled as “nonpartisan,”

Are you a Democrat or a Republican?

RTD Board races are officially nonpartisan, which means your ballot will not list party labels.

That said, I’m a pragmatic, pro-housing, pro-transit Democrat, and I’m focused on things most people agree on:

  • Buses and trains that come on time

  • A system that feels safe and is safe

  • Smart use of RTD land to support housing near transit

  • Strong oversight so RTD is accountable to the public

On the Board, I will work with everyone, regardless of party, to fix reliability and rebuild trust in RTD..

I am the only Democratic candidate in this race.

I'm not 30+ and I am embarrassed to ask...

What is FasTracks?

FasTracks is RTD’s voter-approved transit expansion program, passed in 2004, funded by a 0.4% sales tax (four cents on a $10 purchase). It was designed to build new light rail, commuter rail, bus rapid transit, plus stations, park-n-rides, and better connections across the metro area.

But it wasn’t finished?

No, four corridors remain unfinished: the N Line extension the North Metro segment from 124th Avenue to 162nd Avenue, the Southwest Rail Extension, the Central Corridor (L Line) Extension, and the Northwest Rail Line Phase 2 or “B Line.”

Many people feel frustrated with RTD’s poor record on the N-line and B-line and feel that RTD failed, or even lied to them.

What has FasTracks delivered?

FasTracks has delivered a lot of real infrastructure for the region, including major rail extensions and new corridors, the creation of Denver Union Station as a multimodal hub, and bus rapid transit service like the Flatiron Flyer on US 36. RTD has completed about 75% of the FasTracks program.

What makes you different?

We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.