60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act: A Significant Milestone for Transportation Equity
In July, RTD celebrates the 60th anniversary of one of the most significant and impactful pieces of legislation passed, the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The passage of this landmark law was a turning point in American history, marking a decisive step toward ending discrimination and promoting equality for all citizens. Its profound impact extends across various sectors, including transportation equity, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to public transportation and the opportunities it provides.
The Path to the Civil Rights Act
For decades after Reconstruction, the U.S. Congress did not pass a single civil rights act. Finally, in 1957, it established a civil rights section within the Justice Department and a Commission on Civil Rights to investigate discriminatory conditions. This was a historically significant enactment because it ended three-quarters of a century of congressional inaction and began the era of civil rights reform. Despite these early steps, substantial progress was slow. When President John F. Kennedy entered the White House in 1961, he initially delayed supporting new anti-discrimination measures. However, there were many civil rights leaders and widespread nonviolent protests throughout the civil rights movement in the 1960s that spurred Kennedy to action. In June 1963, Kennedy proposed the most comprehensive civil rights legislation, stating that the United States "will not be fully free until all its citizens are free." The bill faced significant opposition, particularly from southern Democrats, but after intense debates and a historic filibuster, it passed with bipartisan support. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law on July 2, 1964.
Honoring a Legacy of Equity and Inclusion
RTD is proud to be an agency that values diversity, equity and respect. RTD strives to ensure that no one—neither employees nor customers—is discriminated against based on race, color, national origin or any other characteristic protected by law. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the agency recognizes the ongoing need to advance these principles and remain dedicated to deploying equitable practices within the organization and the communities it serves.
Commemorating the Milestone
To honor this milestone, RTD invites the community to join an upcoming commemorative event featuring a special reveal of a bus wrap design honoring the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and the announcement of the winner of the Bus Design Contest. Please RSVP by July 16 to attend. Registration includes submitting a song to be featured at the event, and attendees will receive a commemorative mixtape.
60 Years of Civil Rights: A Community Mixtape Celebration: Hosted from noon to 3 p.m. July 20 at the Studio Loft at Ellie Caulkins Opera House, 908 14th St., Denver, this event will encompass music, food, spoken word, poets and community acts. It is being presented in collaboration with Denver NAACP, ACLU Colorado, One Colorado, Colorado Asian Pacific United, Servicios de La Raza, Atlantis Community, Inc. and other valuable community partners. The occasion aims to pay homage to the courageous legislation and honor the intersectionalities of social justice movements locally and nationally.
Engage with Community Partners: Learn more about RTD’s community partners, each playing a vital role in advancing civil rights and social justice:
- Denver NAACP: Founded on Feb. 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization.
- ACLU Colorado: The ACLU of Colorado is the state's oldest and largest civil rights organization.
- Servicios de La Raza: Founded in 1972 by community activists in the Chicano/Chicana civil rights movement in Colorado, providing mental health services for the Spanish-speaking community.
- One Colorado: The state's leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) Coloradans and their families.
- Colorado Asian Pacific United: A progressive nonprofit with a social justice commitment, striving to advance racial diversity, equity and inclusivity through community collaboration, celebration and education.
- Atlantis Community, Inc: "We will ride!" – Gang of 19 – the origin of the disability rights movement in Denver.
- Warm Cookies of the Revolution: The world's first Civic Health Club, created in 2012, where community members engage in civic issues in an engaging and participatory manner.
RTD Civil Rights Division's Role in Advancing Equity
The RTD Civil Rights Division serves as a cornerstone in upholding the civil rights of RTD’s employees and customers. Through collaboration across agency departments and with diverse community partners, we proactively ensure fairness, inclusion and equal opportunities in all facets of our operations. The Civil Rights Division houses four specialized offices: Americans with Disabilities Act Office, Small Business Opportunity Office, Equal Employment Opportunity Office and Transit Equity Office.
RTD's Commitment to Transportation Equity
RTD continuously demonstrates its commitment to transportation equity. The following highlights significant initiatives and milestones that have been led by RTD staff and supported by countless community partners:
Systemwide Fare Study and Equity Analysis: RTD recently implemented a simpler, more affordable and more equitable fare structure following a comprehensive fare study, reducing costs for adults and qualifying more customers for discounted fare. The LiVE income-based fare program, streamlined pass programs, Transit Assistance Grant program and Zero Fare for Youth pilot program further enhance equity and accessibility.
Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Policy (eTOD):This policy promotes the development of affordable housing on RTD-owned land near high-frequency transit corridors. A notable achievement under this policy is the anticipated groundbreaking in summer 2024 for 62 affordable units on RTD’s parking lot at 29th and Welton Streets in Denver. To date, RTD has partnered with developers to build 1,463 housing units, of which 236 (approximately 16%) are affordable. The eTOD Policy aims to increase this percentage to 35%. Current discussions with developers at Central Park Station PnR and other locations indicate that this goal is within reach.
Bus Stop Infrastructure Accessibility Assessment: Starting in summer 2024, RTD will conduct a comprehensive assessment to ensure all bus stops are safe, clean and accessible, aiming to set new standards for future improvements.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program: RTD has allocated 12.2% of its contracts, totaling $184 million, to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Small Business Enterprise firms.
Language Access Plan (LAP): Language access is intrinsic to RTD’s mission to make lives better through connections. Since 2022, RTD has actively expanded its language access work to ensure our linguistically diverse customers are able to get to where they live, work and play without language acting as a barrier to accessing transit.
Partnership Program: Established in 2023, RTD’s Partnership Program supports community-designed transportation pilots, enhancing local mobility with an equitable intake and evaluation process.
National Vote Early Day and General Election Day: In 2022, RTD provided free services to encourage voter turnout, partnering with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office to remove barriers for voters in the RTD region.
Community Engagement: RTD prioritizes community connections through extensive engagement, participating in 142 events to date, engaging over 1,000 community members across the Denver Metro area.
Continuing the Journey Toward Equity
Honoring the Civil Rights Act of 1964, RTD remains dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in transportation and society at large, acknowledging ongoing challenges and committing to fostering an inclusive future