u/chrisfnicholson

As everybody knows by now, RTD faces a $210 million structural deficit that is years in the making. Much of it can be resolved through non-operational cuts but staff has told us we need to find 60 million a year (about 20% of the service we run) in service cuts and fare increases or we will be out of money by the end of the decade.

As a board, we are also leaning toward a plan to go to the ballot in 2028 to raise revenue and obviously don’t want to cut service now if we can pass that.

So before we have our discussion tonight at the operations committee, I figured I would ask Reddit. I obviously want to cut as little service as possible, but I also want to keep the agency in a financial position where, if we don’t pass a ballot measure, we’re not staring down complete fiscal catastrophe.

I get that you all have not spent months looking at these numbers the way that we have, but I still think it’s important to consider the public’s thoughts.

The finance packet is here: https://rtd.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=4511&Inline=True

The operations packet is here: https://rtd.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=4517&Inline=True

I’ve done AMAs, but since a good number of RTD Directors, candidates and staff read /r/Denver, I figured today would be a good opportunity to ask for your suggestions for what you’d like to see us do differently, for ways we could improve from your perspective.

I won’t be responding to all of them or even most, but I will be reading them and I’m certain other folks will too. This is an opportunity for you all to have a discussion.

My only ask is please keep it respectful; constructive criticism is great, insults are not. We have a lot of really great people who work at RTD and while you’re more than welcome to throw eggs or tomatoes at me, it’s important for folks to remember that our staff take their work very seriously and even if we’re letting you down, I hope everybody will show them the respect they deserve.

https://www.reddit.com/r/RTDDenver/s/WPxoVqqoi2

Hit me up with your questions and I’ll try to answer them

Since I know many urbanists frequent this sub, I thought I would share two major endorsements which groups I am involved with made this past week.

YIMBY’s statement:

“YIMBY Denver, YIMBY Fort Collins, YIMBY Arvada & YIMBY North Metro are proud to jointly endorse Michael Bennet for Governor of Colorado.

Colorado’s housing crisis demands urgency. Michael Bennet has centered his campaign on building more homes, welcoming more neighbors, and standing up to the status quo that has pushed too many young people, families, workers, and seniors out of the communities they love. His fierce commitment to reduce the cost of living for all Coloradans is at the heart of YIMBYism.

Both Democratic candidates recognize the need for more housing, and we appreciate Attorney General Phil Weiser’s thoughtful engagement with these issues. But this race presents a clear choice.

The status quo cannot be a roadblock for the next generation’s future. Only Michael Bennet has shown the urgency and moral clarity required to tackle this crisis head-on in every part of this state. He knows that we can’t afford to have any community sit on the sidelines.

That is why our YIMBY organizations proudly endorse Michael Bennet for Governor.”

Phil‘s willingness to offer an “opt out” on housing laws to local communities was a bridge too far for many of us.

YIMBY: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZplJA2jhTr/?igsh=c2gwanFranQ1N3Az

GDT: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZbAiMjEcw6/?igsh=Nm9oaW54NmNtYnV1

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