Richard’s 2026 RTD Elections Rule of Thumb
“Vote for the first (or only) RTD candidate you see on your ballot paper.”
Election day is soon…
The 2026 Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors elections will take place on Tuesday November, 3, 2026. Due to the upcoming changes to the Board occuring from 2028, candidates will only serve two-year terms if (re)elected this time. 7 out of the 15 seats, representing Districts B, C, J, K, L, N and O, are on the ballot paper and voting is restricted to residents of the specific District concerned.
Candidate Endorsements
Three of the endorsed candidates are contesting races this year and it has worked out that all three of them appear first on the ballot paper. The remaining four candidates are running unopposed; all are endorsed and all deserve your vote. This means that an easy rule of thumb – “Vote for the first (or only) RTD candidate you see on your ballot paper” – can be used to communicate voter recommendations.
District B – John Glenn – glenn4rtd.com
Richard says…
“John Glenn fully understands the key components of a successful transit system and how they are interlinked with housing and land-use to provide a city that provides opportunities for all. He will work to ensure that RTD is in the best position to contribute to this, using the assets it already has. Because of this, I endorse John for RTD District B.”
Opponent: Bianka Emerson
District C – Joe Meyer – joeforrtd.com
Richard says…
“Joe Meyer has already put many hours in to supporting a better RTD; particularly with reimagining how the system should function as an usable network, rather than a collection of bus and rail lines that happen to intersect. Because of this, I endorse Joe for RTD District C.”
Opponent: None
District J – Coleman Erickson – colemanforrtd.com
Richard says…
“Coleman Erickson understands that RTD’s future lies beyond simply shuttling commuters in and out of downtown Denver. He understands that the agency ultimately needs to increase its revenue rather than resorting to cuts. Because of this, I endorse Coleman for RTD District J.”
Opponent: None
District K – Michael Farrington – michaelforrtd.com
Richard says…
“Michael Farrington understands the issues facing RTD’s riders today; namely missed connections, long waits and safety concerns. He believes the RTD Board should be accountable for when the agency comes up short. Because of this, I endorse Michael for RTD District K.”
Opponent: Jessica Sandgren
District L – Ian Harwick – ianforrtd.com
Richard says…
“Ian Harwick has made a positive contribution to the RTD Board in his first term, championing initiatives such as Vision Zero and Tap-to-Pay. Ian understands a key part of RTD’s future will be raising revenue from new sources, including a possible 2028 ballot measure. Because of this, I endorse Ian for RTD District L.”
Opponent: None
District N – Cindy Acuri
Richard says…
“In the short time Cindy Acuri has served on the RTD Board, she has demonstrated a key eye for the financial details, which RTD must get right in the next couple of years if the agency is to be put on a sound financial footing. She is not afraid to ask tough questions when needed. Because of this, I endorse Cindy for RTD District N.”
Opponent: None
District O – Jack Rosenthal – jackforrtd.com
Richard says…
“Many RTD board candidates will tell you they are “regular transit riders” but Jack Rosenthal is the real deal. Only someone who rides the system as much as he does would understand the details which RTD needs to get right to successfully retain and increase ridership, which is the ultimate measure of how valuable the agency is to the District it serves. Because of this, I endorse Jack for RTD District O.”
Opponent: Audrey DeBarros