News & Events

DENVER (Aug. 26, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) announces the appointment of Patrick Preusser as RTD’s Chief Operations Officer (COO). Preusser was selected following a national search and brings more than 28 years of experience at major U.S. transit systems and in cities around the world. He will join RTD on Tuesday, Sept. 2, filling the role that was vacated after the previous COO retired in 2024.

"Over the course of his career, Patrick has been recognized for fostering strong relationships, uniting diverse teams and guiding organizations through growth, change and complex service environments. He brings great knowledge and experience, as well as a deep respect for public service, and he is dedicated to advancing safety, reliability, customer experience, and innovation in public transportation," RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said.

Preusser most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the Utah Transit Authority and has held senior leadership roles with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro). He managed national passenger rail programs for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Preusser also contributed to international transportation projects in the cities of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Kabul, Afghanistan.

"I am proud to serve an industry that leads the way with innovative mobility solutions, making our communities better places to live, work and play" Preusser said.

Nationally, Preusser serves as a member of the American Public Transportation Association’s Rail Transit Operating Practices Working Group and Bus Operations Committee. In 2022, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg appointed him to the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety, which provides strategic safety guidance to the USDOT and the Federal Transit Administration. Preusser has also participated in the Eno Center for Transportation’s Multi-Agency Exchange Program, collaborating with peers at RTD, LA Metro, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority, and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

Preusser holds master’s degrees in Public Administration from the University of Southern California and Transportation Management from the University of Denver, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. He is a certified Project Management Professional and Transit Safety and Security Professional, credentials that reflect his commitment to safe, reliable, and well-managed transit services. His contributions have been recognized with honors that include the U.S. Secretary of Transportation’s Foreign Service, Excellence, and Team Awards; the FRA’s Meritorious Achievement and Excellence Award; and recognition as one of Mass Transit magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2017.

RTD announced the promotion of Brett Feddersen today as the agency’s inaugural Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO). Feddersen brings more than 20 years of experience in IT strategy and operational management. 

Feddersen earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, Computer Information Systems, from Colorado Mesa University. He received a graduate degree in Leadership and Organizations from the University of Denver, with an emphasis in Strategic Innovation. He has completed the Leading, Educating and Developing (LEAD) leadership development program at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Additionally, Feddersen is a published author of project management books producing review guides and practice exams for both the Project Management Professional (PMP) and CompTIA Project+ certification exams.

Feddersen first joined RTD in 2015 as Manager of Shared Technical Services, implementing device standards that reduced user wait times. In October 2023, he assumed the role of Acting Senior Manager of IT, where he led the TransIT ARCHITECTED initiative, a project that improved operational effectiveness and resulted in an increase in customer satisfaction of the technology division.

Prior to RTD, Feddersen worked at the City of Boulder, for which he served as Assistant Director of Application Services. His work in the IT department earned the city recognition from the Center for Digital Government for best practices in citizen engagement and digital solutions.

Feddersen is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a LEAN IT Professional (LITP), with additional certifications including Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) V3 Foundations. He graduated from the Eno Center for Transportation's MAX (Eno/MAX) Program in 2022 and RTD’s Leadership Academy in 2019.

As the CITO, Feddersen will help steward RTD’s long-term IT vision and lead important initiatives in support of the agency’s mission.

DENVER (May 6, 2025) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) has selected Kelly Mackey as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mackey brings 22 years of experience to the role and is a strategic and results-driven finance executive, specializing in complex financial operations and organizational transformation. As CFO, she will oversee the agency’s $1.4 billion budget, steward resources with fiscal integrity on behalf of more than 3,000 employees, and drive financial strategies that support RTD’s mission tomake lives better through connections. Mackey will officially join RTD on Monday, May 12. She assumes a role that was vacated earlier this year when the agency's prior CFO, Doug MacLeod, retired after nearly 15 years of service to RTD.

“I am honored to join RTD at such a pivotal moment in its transformation journey,” Mackey said. “Transit is a vital connector for our communities, and sound financial leadership is essential to achieving the agency’s ambitious vision. I look forward to partnering with our Board, leadership team, and employees to enhance fiscal transparency, strengthen operations, and build a resilient financial foundation—rooted in public trust and aligned with the values of the communities we serve.”

Mackey will be charged with leading RTD’s finance, accounting, treasury, investment, and asset management teams. She will focus on enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening capital planning, and positioning the agency for long-term financial resilience. Mackey believes that finance plays a crucial role in building public trust and will ensure that RTD’s investments align with community needs and strategic priorities. Throughout her career, Mackey has been known for her ability to bridge technical finance with broader mission outcomes, such as translating data into insightful and actionable information, improving decision-makers’ access to financial information, and aligning budgetary processes with long-term strategic plans. She is also deeply committed to supporting RTD’s workforce and fostering a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.

"I am excited to have Kelly’s dedication and commitment to RTD’s employees and customers at a time when the agency is focused on the Strategic Priority of Financial Success and the Strategic Initiative of Back to Basics,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “Her more than two decades of experience and leadership will ensure the agency can continue to successfully manage its financial resources."

Mackey offers a diverse and robust background to the CFO role, most notably through her 15-year career at Staples. There she held multiple leadership roles supporting the company’s B2B e-commerce distribution and delivery business. Mackey’s leadership enabled measurable improvements in financial discipline and operational efficiency across supply chain, customer experience, and field operations. She led an 88-person team for the organization, driving operational execution, data-driven decisions, and planning for one of North America's largest private delivery networks.

She also was instrumental in leading customer innovation at Staples, supporting the firm’s transition under new ownership, and collaborating with management consulting partners to drive transformative go-to-market and organizational redesign strategies. This stewardship impacted approximately 3,000 associates and 150,000 business customers. She integrated advanced planning methods, Lean Six Sigma process design, and system enhancements across business channels—skills Mackey plans to utilize in leading RTD's complex operational and service delivery environment.

Most recently, Mackey brought her financial and operational expertise into the technology and cybersecurity sectors, as Vice President of Finance at Trellix, a global enterprise cybersecurity company. In that role, she served as a key leader for financial planning and analysis, product line restructuring, and merger-and-acquisition readiness. Prior to Trellix, Mackey served as Vice President of Revenue Operations at GHX, a Colorado-based healthcare supply chain software firm, where she led digital transformation initiatives, streamlined financial operations, and successfully integrated multiple acquisitions.

Mackey’s intends to bring a private-sector discipline and transparency to RTD’s public finance, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and in service of positive outcomes for all communities. Mackey will focus on driving value, trust, and financial stewardship to support safe, reliable, and inclusive transit across the Denver metro region.

Throughout her career, Mackey has served as a catalyst for change by building high-performing teams, modernizing financial systems, and aligning leaders with clear financial and operational goals. Her unique experience in high-volume logistics, public and private-sector finance, and mission-driven leadership lends an insightful perspective and capability to RTD during a time of transformation.

A Certified Public Accountant and an alumna of Harvard Business School through the Advanced Management Program, Mackey holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance, summa cum laude, with a minor in Spanish from Oral Roberts University.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD)'s Board of Directors unanimously adopted a $1.2 billion budget in 2025 that will result in increased levels of service, continue the agency’s hiring efforts for key frontline positions, and sustain preventative maintenance projects that launched in 2024. A comprehensive breakdown of the agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget, which starts Jan. 1 and aligns with the calendar year, is available at rtd-denver.com/budget.

The 2025 budget will continue RTD’s pursuit of its Strategic Initiatives of People Power, Back to Basics, and Welcoming Transit Environment, as well as introduce Customer and Community Connections. These four Strategic Initiatives are tactical in nature and interwoven into individual employee goals to support the agency’s overall 2021-2026 Strategic Plan. The balanced budget was developed to align with the agency’s strategic plan.

"Over the last year, RTD has redoubled its efforts to maintain its assets in a state of good repair, enhanced employee recruitment and retention initiatives, and made significant progress in creating a welcoming transit environment,” said Debra A. Johnson, General Manager and CEO. “This budget allows the agency to build on that momentum in the year ahead and respond to the ever-changing transit needs of customers in the Denver metro area.”

Sales and use tax revenue, which comprises more than 70% of RTD’s total budget, is expected to grow 4.2% in 2025. Fare revenue is also projected to slightly increase to align with ridership projections, as well as account for the agency’s Zero Fare for Youth program. Fares will continue to provide approximately 5% of RTD’s total revenue, and the remaining 25% of the budget comes from grants and other income sources. Grant revenue appears lower in RTD’s 2025 budget due to the one-time $150 million pass-through grant received in 2024 for the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit Project.

RTD conservatively budgets for projected revenues in accordance with its fiscal policy and only plans for revenue that is reasonably certain to be collected. Overall, the agency’s revenue is anticipated to keep pace with increases in agency expenditures in 2025. The revenues and expenditures also maintain adequate reserves in support of the agency’s Strategic Priority of Financial Success.

The agency’s operating expense budget in 2025 reflects year-over-year increases in salaries, wages and benefits, materials and supplies, and purchased transportation. Salaries and wages are to increase next year as RTD continues its efforts to improve hiring and retention, particularly for vacant frontline positions, as well as the expansion of the Transit Police Department. In the 2025 budget, wages and benefits are to account for 42% of the agency’s expenses and reflect 3,637 budgeted positions.

Purchased transportation is also budgeted to increase next year in accordance with bus fixed route contractual increases and RTD’s concessionaire agreement for commuter rail services. Contractual increases in purchased transportation account for inflation and periodic maintenance costs. The periodic increases in payments for purchased transportation will continue through 2027 before being reduced in subsequent years.

Financially, RTD continues to perform well. In August, the Colorado Office of the State Auditor (OSA) completed a financial performance audit of RTD, which resulted in the agency meeting all nine of the state’s financial health measurements with no warning signs. During the 2024 fiscal year, RTD’s senior bond credit ratings were also raised by S&P Global to the highest rating of AAA. RTD continues to cash-fund all purchases without the need to borrow funding, and the agency is reducing its debt portfolio exposure through refinancings and the efficient use of financial resources.

Other notable highlights from the 2024 fiscal year include:

• In January, RTD implemented a simpler, more equitable, and more affordable fare structure. Customers now pay less for fares in all categories, including eligible discounts.
• Between May and August, RTD completed the first phase of its Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. The project reconstructed 30-year-old rail infrastructure along the agency’s original light rail alignment to protect the long-term integrity of the network. Crews completed the work weeks ahead of schedule, and subsequent phases of the project are slated for 2025.
• In September, RTD’s one-year Zero Fare for Youth pilot program became permanent for customers 19 and under. The Colorado Legislature appropriated funding through December 2025 to support the Zero Fare for Youth program.
• In 2024, RTD made significant progress on its comprehensive Facilities and Fleet Transition Plan. The plan is assessing the agency’s operations to determine a path forward for lowering emissions. The plan is on track to be completed by mid-December.

RTD GM/CEO Debra A. Johnson and Board Chair and Director of District I Erik Davidson share statements about election results of Measure 7A

DENVER (Nov. 6, 2024) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is providing the following two statements in response to the local election results of Ballot Issue 7A.

“Approval of this ballot measure reaffirms the region’s commitment to public transit. It allows RTD to continue focusing on the Denver metro area’s current and future mobility needs and avoids potential negative impacts to RTD’s current revenue sources.” Debra A. Johnson, General Manager and CEO

“I am grateful to the voters for the confidence they have placed in RTD and for seeing the high value it provides to millions of customers. Approval of this ballot measure means RTD can maintain its current operations and continue to deliver the best service possible.” Erik Davidson, Director of District I and Board Chair

Please click the below link to access RTD's general news section on their official website.

New site will provide improved navigation, enhanced support and accessibility for users

DENVER (Nov. 20,2023) — The Regional Transportation District (RTD) launched a fully redesigned website that features improved navigation, enhance online accessibility, updated photography and refreshed content. The new website was designed after feedback sessions with members of the RTD Board of Directors, staff, customers, stakeholders and the community to identify needs and explore opportunities.

The site has better adaptability for mobile devices, which constitutes approximately 80% of RTD’s overall web traffic and is available in English, Spanish and Chinese. Denver metro area’s next most widely used languages, including Vietnamese and Russian, will roll out in the first quarter of 2024.

RTD’s new website was built using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 and AA Level. The website also incorporates a third-party tool called accessiBe to provide even more support for users who need enhanced accessibility assistance. accessiBe is important because it allows users to optimize content for screen readers, remove flashes in support of seizure-prone individuals, and magnify and scale text, among dozens of other related features.

In addition to internal meetings and a robust sampling of customers through an online research tool, feedback sessions were also held with the RTD Citizens Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. The process to solicit and collect feedback supported the agency’s desire to create a website that met the needs of customers, stakeholders, employees and community members.

S&P Global Ratings upgrades RTD’s FasTracks bond rating to highest possible of AAA

S&P Global Ratings (previously Standard & Poor’s) has upgraded its RTD FasTracks bonds to AAA from AA+ and gave the bonds a stable outlook, reflecting its view that RTD’s financial condition is strong. The AAA credit-worthiness rank is the highest rating issued by the S&P Global Ratings, and it means RTD has an extremely strong capacity to meet all financial commitments.

In July, the RTD Board of Directors approved staff to refund and refinance FasTracks debt, which strengthens the agency’s standing as supported in a statement made in a news release by S&P Global Ratings on Aug. 10.

S&P Global Ratings recognized the fiscal decisions the RTD Board and staff have made to stabilize RTD’s financial position as it moved out of the pandemic.

“The AAA rating highlights both the strong financial position and prudent financial management of the agency’s resources,” said RTD Chief Financial Officer Doug MacLeod. “The rating change on the FasTracks bonds also increases the probability that RTD will be able to reduce borrowing costs with any future FasTracks bond refinancing activity.”

RTD is scheduled to close on the refinanced FasTracks bonds in September. The Invitation to Tender Bonds and Preliminary Official Statement for the expected refunding can be found here:  https://emma.msrb.org/P11732686.pdf.

RTD has entered into a contract with WSP USA, Inc to evaluate the feasibility of transitioning the District’s facilities and fixed-route fleet to low/no-emission operations. The holistic plan, which is expected to be finalized in late 2024, will outline recommendations for facilities, fixed-route services by fleet type, a replacement schedule, and overall cost projections and proposed timelines. 

“RTD remains focused on transitioning to a sustainable energy future,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. “The first step in that transition is to understand and consider all aspects of RTD’s system, including its facilities, infrastructure, and transit service delivery model. This plan will guide RTD’s future decisions as the agency transitions to low/no emissions.”

On April 25, 2023, the RTD Board authorized the General Manager and CEO to enter into a contract for consulting services to develop a holistic Low/No Emission Facilities and Fleet Transition Plan. The agency subsequently released a solicitation on May 23 to select a consultant to lead the planning process.

This week, RTD announced that WSP USA, Inc had been selected among five qualified firms that submitted proposals. WSP’s subject-matter expertise in this area will ensure RTD’s transition plan is not only comprehensive, but also specific to the agency’s needs and operating environment, and it aligns with the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. WSP USA, Inc, a New York-based consultancy firm with offices in Colorado, will immediately begin work on developing the transition plan. In conducting their work, WSP has committed to a 25% disadvantaged business enterprise participation goal, which further aligns with the agency’s commitment to the Strategic Priority of Community Value. The anticipated timeline for completing the full plan is the fourth quarter of 2024. 

“This is a monumental and necessary step forward for RTD and the entire Denver metro region,” Johnson said. “RTD is not only planning for tomorrow, but for the tomorrows to come.”

RTD’s first steps toward a low/no-emission bus fleet transition were taken in 2000 with the deployment of hybrid-electric buses using compressed natural gas along the 16th Street Mall. In 2008, a subfleet of hybrid diesel-electric fixed-route buses was introduced to the system. Eventually, all previously used MallRide buses were replaced in 2017 by a fleet of 36 zero-emission battery electric buses. The agency has garnered operational knowledge through the deployment and maintenance of its low- and no-emission vehicles. This knowledge gained over the past two decades will support the development and eventual implementation of the comprehensive transition plan.

Today, the RTD Board of Directors approved a new fare structure, policies and programs that will provide lower costs for adult customers and one year of no-cost transit for youth throughout the district. The fare changes were developed as part of RTD’s systemwide fare study and equity analysis, a yearlong review aimed at creating a fare structure that is more equitable, affordable and simple.  

Approved changes to the fare structure include: 

• A new Standard fare ($2.75 for a 3-hour pass; $5.50 for a day pass) for full-fare customers to all destinations except Denver International Airport. Airport fare, for SkyRide and A Line trips that begin or end at the airport, is $10
• Monthly pass $88 for travel anywhere including SkyRide and A Line trips to and from Denver International Airport. Airport.
• A single Discount fare ($1.35 for a 3-hour pass; $2.70 for a day pass; $27 for a monthly pass) that provides access to any RTD destination, including the airport, for seniors 65 and older, individuals with disabilities, Medicare recipients and individuals enrolled in LiVE, RTD's income-based fare discount program
• Zero Fare for Youth, a 12-month pilot program allowing youth ages 19 and under to use RTD services at no cost 
• Simplified pass programs, bulk purchases and a grant program that will give employers and other organizations more opportunities to provide transit benefits to clients and employees
• An expansion of the LiVE program that would increase the number of customers eligible to enroll, based on higher income limits and removal of in-district address requirements. In addition, income-eligible customers using paratransit services can enroll in and receive LiVE discounts on Access-a-Ride fares ($2.25 standard fare; $9.50 airport fare) for the first time
• The approved fare structure design was informed by financial, operational, technical and Title VI fare equity considerations, in addition to feedback provided by thousands of customers and community members through virtual and in-person meetings, community events, surveys, focus groups and public comments.   

“With the Board of Directors’ approval of this new fare structure, RTD is removing barriers to transit access and reconciling longstanding concerns from customers and the community regarding the high cost and complexity of fares currently in place,” RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “I am grateful for the thoughtful, comprehensive and purposeful work by staff, and I extend my thanks to the thousands of people across the region who shared their thoughts and ideas over the course of this important project.” 

Now through August, customers can use all RTD services at no cost as part of the Zero Fare for Better Air initiative. In September, the yearlong Zero Fare for Youth pilot will begin, providing no-cost transit for youth to coincide with the start of the school year. All other changes to the fare structure will be implemented in the first quarter of 2024.