Denver RTD Launches T-Line Rail and Dedicated Colfax Bus Lanes as City Council Streamlines Affordable Housing Permitting

RTD Deploys Major System Expansions with T-Line and Colfax Bus Lanes

DENVER, Colorado — Enhancing transit reliability and multimodal connectivity across the Mile High City, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) implemented wide-ranging system service expansions effective September 27, 2026. The improvements are supported by $9.25 million in Clean Transit Enterprise (CTE) grant funding, sourced from state oil and gas production revenues.

Headlining the updates is the commercial launch of the T-Line light rail, providing dedicated service between Lincoln Station and Alameda Station to accommodate passenger flow during the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Additionally, RTD transitioned its high-frequency Route 15 and 15L buses onto newly constructed center bus-only lanes along East Colfax Avenue between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard, bypassing traffic congestion and accelerating east-west travel. RTD also debuted the Route AL SkyRide, offering hourly direct service between Longmont and Denver International Airport.

City Council Passes Key Reforms to Streamline Affordable Housing Permitting

In municipal housing legislation, the Denver City Council adopted comprehensive measures in late September to simplify and expedite the city's residential permitting process. The reforms curtail development review times and eliminate redundant bureaucratic barriers for builders creating income-restricted homes.

The initiative harmonizes with Colorado's statewide HOME Act (HB26-1001), which allows faith-based organizations and non-profits to bypass restrictive zoning to construct affordable housing on land they own. Council members also approved the Department of Housing Stability (HOST) strategic plan extension, advancing transit-oriented housing partnerships near light rail stations.

Downtown Revitalization and Affordable Cultural Spaces

Simultaneously, the city and the Downtown Development Authority finalized agreements to create dedicated affordable artist live-work spaces at 444 17th Street and advance mixed-income residential housing at 900 16th Street. Civic leaders emphasized that aligning high-frequency transit with aggressive housing affordability accelerates downtown Denver's long-term economic resurgence.