Those looking to travel to Red Rocks without the hassle of driving and parking may finally have an option on the way.

The Regional Transportation District announced its third round of pilot funding as part of its Partnership Program on Monday. The government agency chose eight pilots across the metro to help fund, with applicants able to request up to $900,000 for up to three years.

The program started in 2023 and made $3 million available for the current string of grants — 50% more than the past two years, according to a press release from RTD.

One of the eight pilots includes a fixed bus route that would move commuters from the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden to Morrison Natural History Museum on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with stops at places like Matthews/Winters Park, Red Rocks Trading Post and downtown Morrison.

The Jefferson County Government Center is the last stop of RTD’s W light rail line, with the bus picking up the slack in-between. 

Currently, concertgoers have limited ways to get to Red Rocks that doesn’t include expensive rideshares or congested traffic. There is Red Rocks Shuttle, which runs from downtown Denver locations prior to summer concerts, but it costs $65 for a roundtrip. 

RTD awarded Jefferson County $280,000 annually for 2026, 2027 and 2028 for the program, according to the release.

Denver city officials announced earlier this month that the city is partnering with Jefferson County to run the first pilot shuttle program on Sept. 20 as a way to prove that the area needs more public transportation. 

“The traffic as well as the lack of safety after you drink a little and you’re driving back to Denver is something that a lot of folks are concerned,” Denver Councilmember Darrell Watson told The Denver Gazette’s news partner, 9News, adding that the city is working with Jeffco and RTD for solutions. 

Watson said the goal of the one-day trial is to gather support for a longer-term solution.

“Community members are dying for alternatives to drive to Red Rocks and driving up to Morrison and Golden,” Watson said.

Other pilots awarded grants include:

• An on-demand, free micro transit service in Commerce City
• An extension of funding for Denver Connector on-demand services in neighborhoods in northeast and west Denver
• An on-demand micro transit service and permanent bus route in Erie
• West Corridor Transportation Management Association’s pilot subsidizing the first mile of micro mobility trips on Lime and Bird devices that end at the Decatur•Federal or University of Denver light rail stations
• An extension of funding for Longmont’s micro transit program

“It is essential that RTD partner with local governments and organizations to support the mobility needs of their communities,” General Manager and CEO Debra Johnson said in the release. “Each of the projects selected build upon the program’s previous successes, bringing new or enhanced services to the region, and provide customers throughout with more connections, choices, and benefits.”

More information can be found at RTD-Denver.com

9NEWS contributed to this report.