Denver RTD Honors Civil Rights Act Anniversary with Special Bus Art

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and community partners hosted a celebration July 20, to honor the 60^th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the groundbreaking law enacted in 1964 that legally ended discrimination and promoted equal opportunities in transit, employment, and public facilities.

“Public transportation is the great societal equalizer. I remember the freedom and independence I carried while taking the bus to attend school in another part of the city,” said RTD General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson. “In the Denver metro region, RTD plays an important role in advancing racial and social equity, driving political and civic participation, expanding economic and educational opportunities, and increasing mobility for all Coloradans.”

To mark the event, RTD unveiled its first-ever, community-driven bus art, designed by local artist Dez Merworth, who won the agency’s Bus Design Contest. The artwork spotlights national activists and those specific to Colorado. The wrapped bus will circulate throughout the agency’s 2,342-square-mile district through the end of 2024.

“Dez Merworth did a phenomenal job at capturing all aspects of what the contest was about: the impact the Civil Rights Act has had on our community; recognizing the many individuals and groups nationally and in Colorado that championed equity and accessibility for all; and creating a lively, vibrant design to recognize and celebrate our diverse communities and inspire action. I thank her for her astute detail to the work and to all our community partners who participated,” said RTD Director of Civil Rights Carl Green Jr.

Civil rights activists depicted in the art on the non-curb side of the bus, from left to right, are Angela Davis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Clyde Merton Warrior, Gerald Gerash, Edna Wilson-Mosely, a protester from the Gang of 19 – Atlantis community, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales and Larry Itliong. The curb side features portraits of individuals in Colorado. The design on the back of the bus includes the Progress Pride flag.

“I’m really excited the bus art is going to be something that so many people can access and see, especially communities that don’t necessarily always get to go to art galleries. It makes art accessible,” said Merworth.