Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

CO RTD Director District F / El Distrito de Transporte Regional

Regional Transportation District (RTD) is governed by a 15-member, publicly elected non-partisan Board of Directors. Elections are staggered with eight Directors for Districts A, D, E, F, G, H, I and M to be elected in 2024. They are elected to a four-year term by the voters in their specific district. Board members actively support and advocate for constituents’ concerns, while providing governance and establishing policies for the agency. Background: The RTD provides public transportation in eight counties including all of Boulder, Broomfield, Denver and Jefferson counties, parts of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, and a small portion of Weld County. Services include bus, rail, shuttles, ADA paratransit services, demand-responsive services like FlexRide, special event services, vanpools, and many more. The RTD was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly.El Distrito de Tránsito Regional (RTD) es gobernado por una Junta Directora de 15 elegidos públicamente (non-partisan). Las elecciones son espaciadas y tiene ocho (8) cargos abiertos para esta elección general. Son electos por votantes de su distrito específico para un mandato de cuatro años. Los miembros de la junta apoyan activamente, y defienden a constituyentes mientras proporcionan gobernación y establecen políticas para la agencia. Los ocho Directores de los Distritos A, D, E, F, G, H, I, y M serán elegidos en 2024. El Distrito de Transporte Regional proporciona transporte público en ocho condados, incluyendo completamente a los Condados de Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, y Jefferson, partes de los Condados de Adams, Arapahoe y Douglas, y una parte pequeña del Condado de Weld. Los servicios incluyen servicios de autobús, tren, colectivo, servicios de paratránsito de ADA, servicios determinados por necesidad como FlexRide, servicios de eventos especiales, caravanas, y muchos más. El Distrito de Transporte Regional fue creado en 1969 por la Asamblea General de Colorado.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Bernard Celestin
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Kathleen Chandler
    (NP)

Biographical Information

What is your top priority for the Regional Transit District?

What steps, if any, should be taken to address the RTD employee shortage?

What changes, if any, would you implement to maintain a consistent ridership?

Why do you want to serve now?

Submitted Biography I have lived in Aurora for the last 42 years, I am 68 years old, married to my wife Robbyn for the last 39 years and we have two children.
Campaign Phone 7204682299
My priority for the Regional Transit District is to improve the working relationship between RTD and the local community by being much more transparent about day-to-day functions of the agency and I also plan on working to improve the schedules and security concerns of all our riders. I am committed to enhancing the vital service that RTD provides every day to the Aurora community of District F.
I believe that by focusing the training of the operators on bus or rail service and making sure that they understand all the benefits that the agency has to offer them and their family, not to mention the privilege of being protected by one of the best transportation unions (ATU-1001), to include all the various departments of the agency and educational opportunity. A better pay would not hurt matters at all due to the fact that the prices of everything keeps going up as well.
In order to maintain a consistent ridership, I would implement a stronger inspection program of the facilities and maintenance office. First and foremost, all of our properties should be much cleaner and more secured for the passengers. The time has come to stop the blame game and bring the agency to the standard that it once had. I plan on becoming much more active with the various communities that forms District F, while also working with the various HOA's and promoting all the savings for their families that RTD offers with the different discount fares, I would also advocate for one or two no fare days a year system wide.
I have been serving my community for the last four decades as a dedicated resident of District F with extensive experience. I am an honorably discharged Army veteran, in December 2023 I retired from RTD with fifteen years of service as an operator, in my beloved city of Aurora I served on the Civil Service Commission as a member and Chair, a Human Relations Commissioner as member and Chair, a member of KCRT (Key Community Response Team), a member of the Blue Ribbons Panell, a Board Member of the Mile High Transplant Bank, a Board Member of Advocate For Children, a CASA Organization, I completed several Leadership Academies to include two with RTD, the RTD Leadership Academy and the MAC Academy, Multi Agency Exchange Academy.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.