RTD’s Downtown Boulder Station lobby to reopen Feb. 19

Agency remediated effects of illicit substance use in public restrooms

DENVER (Feb. 12, 2024) – The Regional Transportation District (RTD)’s Downtown Boulder Station lobby will reopen Monday, Feb. 19, following months of remediation work. The interior of the station, located at 1800 14th St., was initially closed in January 2023 after methamphetamine residue was detected in the restrooms and found to have entered the interior ductwork elsewhere in the station.

“The collective goal of all employees involved in this project was to ensure the station could be reopened in a safe condition,” said General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “While illicit substance abuse is a societal issue that impacts everyone, and not solely RTD, it is the agency’s overarching responsibility to provide employees and the public with clean, welcoming transit environments.”

As the existing ductwork could not be suitably cleaned in place, it was removed and replaced. The new sheet metal ductwork that was installed has exterior insulation, allowing its interior surface to be cleaned as needed. Ventilation within the restrooms was improved by way of more powerful exhaust fans. Should smoke from illicit substance use impact the facility in the future, any residue would be confined to the restroom area, simplifying clean-up efforts. Drywall that was removed to access the ductwork has been replaced.

Crews also completed a modest refresh of the station’s lobby, which included repainting the walls and ceiling, adding new powder coating to the benches, replacing the entryway matting, and deep cleaning and sealing the main tile floor. Surfaces that had tested positive for illicit substance residue, which were retested after this work concluded, were determined to be safe for the public.

The RTD fare media sales outlet at Downtown Boulder Station, which had been relocated to Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station for the project’s duration, will be closed beginning Friday, Feb. 16. The sales outlet will reopen in its previous location at Downtown Boulder Station on Feb. 19.