RTD Board Names Seven New Advisors and Retains Three for 2027 Terms

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors has filled its Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) with ten individuals for the upcoming term. The board appointed seven new members and reappointed three existing members, a decision that concludes the 2026 appointment cycle for the advisory body.

The CAC serves as a feedback channel between the public transit agency and the communities it serves. Established in 2004, the group provides input on general transit matters. The board approved the committee's current charter in May 2024, which outlines the role and membership limits. The committee may include up to 17 members who serve staggered terms.

RTD received 34 applications for the 2026 cycle. The board selected candidates based on criteria including demonstrated interest in transit, civic involvement, and community service. The three reappointed members were chosen in recognition of their previous engagement and service. All ten members will begin their terms on Jan. 1, 2027, and serve until Dec. 31, 2029.

Mikayla Bravo, a resident of RTD District D, works for the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Her role involves organizing Bike to Work Day and assisting employers with sustainable travel options. She is a Denver resident who uses Route 0 for her daily commute.

Wulf Grote, a District N resident, brings more than 40 years of experience in public transportation. He previously held executive leadership roles with the City of Phoenix and Valley Metro. He currently works as a Senior Transit Engineering Advisor with HDR, Inc. in Denver.

Joe Kilbourn, a Highlands Ranch resident in District H, retired in 2019 after 52 years in the aviation industry. He served as a technician and maintenance instructor. He is a member of the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Firearm Dealer Division Rulemaking Working Group and uses light rail and buses to travel to Denver.

Ian Milby, an Aurora resident in District F, co-chairs the Colorado Access Regional Health Community Advisory Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science in hotel and lodging management from Johnson & Wales University. He works in operations leadership and data analysis.

Jeannette Riggans, a Thornton resident in District K, retired after a 35-year career in the transportation industry. She specialized in trucking while working for the Colorado Motor Carrier Association. She previously commuted via the N and G lines on commuter rail.

Coleen Samuels, a Denver resident in District B, serves as the Executive Director of the Denver Regional Mobility & Access Council. Her work focuses on improving transportation access for older adults and people with disabilities. She advocates for affordable mobility options in the region.

Mirna Lizet Smith, a Lakewood resident in District M, is a community engagement professional and former educator. She previously coordinated nonpartisan outreach for Jefferson County Elections. She previously taught English at Alameda International High School and advocates for safer streets along Mississippi Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

Aaron Futrell, an Aurora resident in District E, works as a postal employee and uses public transit to commute. He served on the Human Relations Commission for the City of Aurora from 2018 to 2022. He was a graduate of the Urban Leadership Foundation 2026 cohort.

Mary Jo Highland, a Lafayette resident in District I, is an immigration attorney at The Meyer Law Office. She commutes to work via the LD1 and Route 15. She previously worked as an elementary school teacher and holds a law degree from the University of Denver. Her eldest child relies exclusively on public transit and does not own a car. She is a resident of RTD District I. This is a reappointment, as is the next entry. Wait, I need to check the count. I have 7 new and 3 reappointed. Let me list the reappointed ones clearly in the body or integrate them. The source lists them separately. I will group the new members and then the reappointed members to maintain structure or just list them all. The prompt asks for 7-10 paragraphs. I have 12 paragraphs above. I need to consolidate to fit the 7-10 paragraph limit. I will combine some profiles.