When public agencies charge citizens to access public records, the message is clear: such information may be public in name, but not in practice. That’s why the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) new policy to waive the cost of an extra hour of processing time for records requests that serve the public good is more than just a procedural tweak—it’s a real step forward for government transparency.
Beginning July 1, RTD will waive an additional hour of staff time for open records requests made for journalism, academic research, community advocacy, or by everyday citizens trying to understand how their government works. Most requests are fulfilled in under two hours, meaning this simple change will make the vast majority of inquiries free of charge.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
These records are created with public dollars. Taxpayers fund the salaries, software, and systems that produce them. Asking the public to pay again—especially when the request is meant to inform others or improve services—is an unnecessary hurdle that discourages engagement.
This new policy doesn’t throw open the doors to abuse. RTD is not eliminating all fees; requests made for commercial reasons will still be charged. The agency is simply removing a modest obstacle for those needing public records. Examples of this use may be the person whose car was stolen near a light rail stop and RTD has the video evidence that aids in apprehending the suspect. Real-world examples show the value of this change.
Over the past year, Coloradans have indeed requested RTD records to track down stolen cars, investigate safety concerns, and evaluate how transit services serve their neighborhood. These efforts weren’t political stunts—they were attempts to get real answers and solve real problems.
Unfortunately, the cost of obtaining those records has too often been a roadblock. Students, independent researchers, and community volunteers frequently don’t have funding to cover the fees. Requiring payment to access public information discourages participation and leaves too many voices unheard. We should empower transit riders and taxpayers, by restoring trust between the public and the agency.
It is important to know that RTD has had the ability to waive these fees under state law and now we are simpley codifying it. The Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) allows agencies to reduce or eliminate costs when requests serve a public purpose. RTD’s new policy takes that discretion and turns it into action, offering a limited but significant benefit to those working in the public interest.
This is a pilot program, set to run through the end of 2026. RTD will monitor how the policy is used and ensure it’s not being misused. But the intention is clear: make it easier—not harder—for people to see how their government functions.
In an era where trust in public institutions is fragile, making information more accessible is one of the most powerful tools we have. RTD’s move is a reminder that transparency doesn’t begin with a press release or a promise. It begins with access.
Chris Nicholson was elected to the RTD Board of Directors in November 2024 and represents District A, comprising the neighborhoods of Central Denver south of Colfax Ave, Capitol Hill, Upper Downtown, and the city of Glendale.
Kathleen Chandler, a fourth-generation native of Colorado, represents District F on the RTD Board of Directors, compromising large portions of Aurora as well as unincorporated Arapahoe County.
