60 Years of Civil Rights

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of our agency and operations. In partnership with Denver NAACP, ACLU Colorado, Servicios de La Raza, One Colorado, Colorado Asian Pacific United, Atlantis Community, Inc., and other valuable community partners, RTD hosted a 60 Years of Civil Rights: A Community Mixtape Celebration on July 20 from 12-3pm and held a Civil Rights Act's 60th anniversary Bus Design Contest.

Bus Wrap Design Winner

RTD proudly supports innovative approaches to enhance equity, accessibility, and customer value. Join us in commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act through Bus Design Contest Winner Dez Merworth's inspiring bus wrap design, capturing the enduring struggle for humanity and honoring the Civil Rights Act of 1964 foundational impact.

"In responding to the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, I hope to highlight the powerful ways that communities continue to make impactful change. Those brave enough to disrupt the status quo to challenge narratives are often also those who bear the brunt of public social outrage. Martin Luther King Jr., who is now heralded as a key figure in the fight for civil rights legislation, was arrested nearly 30 times. His experience shows how activists put themselves and their loved ones in harm's way to fight for their communities.

The design consists of a colorful gradient, with portraits on both sides of the bus. I’ve included a few of the countless prominent civil rights activists those that impacted movements on a national level, as well as those specific to Colorado. From right to left on the street side of the bus, depicted are Angela Davis, Martin Luther King Jr, Clyde Merton Warrior, Gerald Gerash, Edna Wilson Mosely, a protester from the Gang of 19, Rodolfo Corky Gonzales and Larry Itliong. On the curb side of the bus, the multicultural portraits represent the colorful fabric of Colorado presently. The back of the bus includes the Progress Pride flag. All sides have flowers that represent hope, change, resistance, and community care.

By showcasing people of all walks of life, following the legacies of some of these brave activists, I hope to remind viewers that disrupting the status quo to fight for equality and equity is a communal and ongoing process. Our voices are important, and only by speaking up do we get to create a new narrative for our beloved communities. The future is handed down from generations, and it is exponentially important that we gift a future that is even better than our own.”