October has been a busy month for RFTA. In addition to launching the Fare Free Fall pilot program, which offers free ridership on all regional routes through Nov. 30, the transportation authority hosted Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) representatives for a site visit at its Glenwood Maintenance Facility and Operations Center on Oct. 15. During its October board meeting, RFTA held a public hearing to consider supplemental 2025 budget appropriations.
Also during the October meeting, the board heard from Silt resident Kimberly Leitzinger, who expressed interest in expanded Hogback services. She explained that she has been relying on RFTA buses for transportation to Glenwood Springs for medical needs, but the existing services are limited. Several board members thanked her for the input and encouraged Leitzinger to tell Garfield County as well.
During board comments, Vice Chair Alyssa Shenk, who represents Snowmass Village, reported that she visited Aspen Middle School around the launch of the Fare Free Fall program. Shenk explained the services to classes as students worked on a project relevant to transportation. She encouraged them to ride the buses and to attend future board meetings to provide input.
Aspen Mayor Rachel Richards expressed concerns about managing safety on the Rio Grande Trail, given the frequent use of high-speed e-bikes on the trail. Chairman Greg Poschman noted that community members have come to RFTA to ask about the possibility of establishing designated bike lanes on frontage roads for increased cycling capacity and safety.
The board addressed several action items during the meeting. First, Chief Financial Officer Michael Yang presented Resolution 2025-34, authorizing lease-purchase financing to support improvements at the Iron Mountain Place employee housing facility in Glenwood Springs, purchased in 2022 and made available to employees this year. Yang explained that establishing lease-purchase financing through Alpine Bank would help to spread the cost of the asset and smooth out RFTA’s annual cash flow. The approved lease term is 20 years.
Chief Executive Officer Kurt Ravenschlag then presented a review of 2026 “objectives and key results,” measuring organizational goals and specific desired results. Among those that Ravenschlag presented were details related to the management of the Rio Grande Trail, RFTA’s energy efficiency planning and goals and financial stability planning.
The meeting then moved to the public hearing of the 2025 supplemental budget appropriations, presented by Yang and Director of Finance Paul Hamilton. RFTA’s finance staff identified six areas that require amendments to the existing 2025 budget, including: the Iron Mountain Place lease-purchase financing, Fare Free Fall pilot costs reimbursed by local governments, adjustments related to Burlingame Complex employee housing, organizational investment income and regional bikeshare projects.
The sixth budget amendment item would authorize spending for emergency repairs to the retaining wall of Wingo Bridge near Holland Hills along the Rio Grande Trail. Inspections by Pitkin County revealed that the retaining wall requires urgent repairs to stabilize. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails will manage the project, but asked RFTA to partner in the repairs and contribute 50% of the costs, estimated at $46,000.
The meeting closed with Ravenschlag’s report. He shared that S&P Global has reaffirmed its long-term AA+ rating on RFTA’s Series 2021A Property Tax Revenue Bonds and maintained a “stable” outlook. He also discussed RFTA’s policy for bikes on buses, based on comments received during the September board meeting.
The next board meeting is on Nov. 13 at 8:30am at Carbondale Town Hall. The public can also join via Webex. An agenda will be available at www.rfta.com a week ahead of the meeting.