RTD committee backs fare-enforcement review, with recommendations targeted for February 2027
The Regional Transportation District’s full board is scheduled to consider the review Sept. 22; any adopted changes are targeted for implementation by Jan. 1, 2028.
A Regional Transportation District committee voted 5-2 on Sept. 16 to advance a comprehensive review of fare enforcement, with staff recommendations targeted for February 2027 or earlier. The full board is scheduled to consider the review Sept. 22, and any changes it eventually adopts are targeted for implementation by Jan. 1, 2028.
The review would not immediately change RTD’s fare-enforcement policy. The packet for the scheduled Sept. 22 board meeting recommends directing staff to conduct the review and return with information and recommendations.
Ian Harwick and Joyce Downing opposed the committee action. The committee minutes record the 5-2 vote and referral.
The review would examine whether RTD should use administrative fines instead of traffic-code citations, let riders resolve violations by buying the applicable fare, and allow eligible riders to enroll in RTD’s income-based LiVE program during an enforcement contact as an alternative to a fine or citation.
Staff also would examine whether statutory changes are needed to give RTD more authority to enforce payment of valid fares, along with potential technology and infrastructure investments and their costs. The packet does not propose specific statutory language, equipment, software, vendors or funding. It also calls for consideration of public engagement, civil-rights requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, broader equity concerns, fare revenue and LiVE enrollment.
RTD’s current approach is primarily educational, according to an earlier agency agenda packet. It includes warnings, asking riders without valid fare to leave a vehicle or fare-paid area, and training operators to de-escalate fare-payment disputes. Riding without valid fare is treated under Colorado’s traffic code as a class B traffic infraction carrying a $75 fine. Fare inspectors issue citations on behalf of the county, which receives the fine revenue.
The earlier packet listed 12,789 fare warnings and 1,096 citations in 2025, alongside an estimated 4.98 million rail fare checks. A partial 2026 table listed 6,741 warnings, 744 citations and 3.06 million estimated rail checks; the periods differ and do not support a full-year comparison. RTD has not decided whether administrative fines would supplement or replace traffic citations. Any policy, legal or technology changes would require additional board action.