The Regional Transportation District is updating its federal Civil Rights Act Title VI anti-discrimination program and is soliciting comments from the public through January 31.

Because the agency accepts federal money, it must abide by Title VI, which was enacted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs and activities by entities receiving federal financial assistance.

As such, RTD may not discriminate based on race, color or national origin, including limited English proficiency, in providing services and programs.

RTD’s Transit Equity Office must update its Title VI program every three years. The current program started in 2022 and runs through mid-2025.

The agency is seeking feedback on proposed updates to three key policies: The Major Service Change Policy would redefine what constitutes a major service change and the meaning of “adverse effect” in the policy; the Low-Income Definition would redefine low-income populations as those whose household incomes are at or below 200% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines; and, the Fare Equity Policy, which would clarify what constitutes a fare change and when a “fare equity” analysis would be required in accordance with the FTA.

The agency’s updated program will be in effect from mid-2025 to 2028. The public can provide feedback or learn more about the proposed updates through the end of January via here: https://www.rtd-denver.com/T625.

The public can also send emails to transitequity@rtd-denver.com with “Proposed Title VI Policy Changes” in the subject line.