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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Can ICE officers use RTD transit for free?

Cassis Tingley, The Colorado Sun
yes

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers can use RTD transit for free under a policy that waives fares for all local, state and federal law enforcement officers. 

The policy applies to uniformed officers and those not in uniform who can show a government-issued photo ID and their badge. Retired officers must pay for transit services. 

The Regional Transportation District provides public transportation in eight counties in the metro Denver area. The system comprises bus, rail, shuttles, paratransit services, van pools and other forms of transportation. 

RTD also provides free transportation to customers ages 19 and under, firefighters and U.S. military members. 

ICE began stepping up enforcement efforts in Colorado in 2025 under President Donald Trump’s nationwide deportation effort. Between January and October last year, ICE arrested at least 3,522 people in Colorado, 70% of whom were later deported. 

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

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The Colorado Sun is a journalist-founded, award-winning and nonprofit news outlet based in Denver that strives to cover all of Colorado so that our state — our community — can better understand itself. In this way, we believe we can contribute to a more vibrant, informed and whole Colorado. We are committed to fact-based, in-depth and nonpartisan journalism. We cover everything from politics and culture to the outdoor industry and education. Our goal is to produce the best possible journalism. We do that with the help of you, our readers, and community backers. We launched on Sept. 10, 2018.

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