RTD’s Focus On ‘Reclaiming Union Station’ Delivers Improved Safety and Security

The Regional Transportation District (RTD), Denver, CO, is reporting a nearly 60 percent reduction in security-related calls and a three-year decrease in reports of criminal activities between 2022 and 2025 at the -Denver Union Station. In the first quarter of 2022, RTD logged approximately 5,000 security-related calls for service at Union Station, compared with 2,127 in the first quarter of 2025. Month-over-month comparisons reflect similar reductions going back to early 2022 when RTD doubled down on efforts to improve personal safety and security at the station. Calls for service include customer reports of graffiti, drug activity, noise complaints, unattended bags, and other personal safety concerns.

In March 2022, RTD announced a plan and timeline to “Reclaim Union Station,” a multi-faceted strategy aimed at enhancing safety and security at the location.

Over the last three years, RTD has hired more sworn police officers and established 24/7 patrolling. In addition to deploying contracted security personnel on the rail platforms and in the underground bus concourse, RTD has a dedicated team of officers to patrol Denver Union Station around the clock. In 2022, the agency had fewer than 20 full-time officers on its force, which has since grown to approximately 100 officers. RTD is actively recruiting to have 150 officers on its force by the end of 2025. The regular presence of officers, especially at Denver Union Station, means RTD-PD is able to proactively intervene, instead of relying on customers to make reports before dispatching personnel.

As part of the “Reclaim Union Station” strategy, RTD utilized a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design strategy to reduce crime, enhance public safety, and create a welcoming environment for customers. Since 2022, RTD has made noticeable facility improvements to its underground bus concourse, rail platforms, and open spaces, such as upgrading lighting in the underground bus concourse and installing backlit panels to better illuminate areas with low light to increase employee and customer visibility. RTD also added TV monitors to display security camera feeds at the main entrances to the bus concourse and converted commuter rail platform stairs to an emergency-exit only to limit unnecessary access.

The Downtown Denver Partnership joined Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and the Denver Police Department in April 2025 to announce renewed security efforts aimed at enhancing downtown Denver, which includes Union Station and the 16^th Street corridor. Denver has established a new dedicated downtown police unit to address unwelcome behaviors and provide greater visibility.

In 2023, RTD updated the Customer Code of Conduct, known as “Respect the Ride,” and added new signage at Denver Union Station to communicate prohibited behaviors.

An overview of RTD’s security-related metrics is available at rtd-denver.com/yoursafety.