Cindy Arcuri, a 65‑year‑old longtime resident of Jefferson County, is on the ballot for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors in District N. She was appointed to the board earlier this year by Jefferson County commissioners after the retirement of Peggy Catlin, and now seeks a full term from voters.
Financial stability is the top priority
Arcuri told voters that the biggest challenge facing RTD is achieving financial stability. The agency currently faces a budget shortfall of more than $200 million, and she says the board must protect existing service while avoiding deep staff cuts.
She argues that any cuts should be the “least harmful” possible, especially for the sparse bus coverage already present in District N’s outlying neighborhoods and mountain communities. “We need to protect what we have here in District N,” she said, noting that many residents rely on limited bus routes for daily travel.
Revenue options under discussion
Arcuri is open to a range of revenue‑raising ideas. Board members have discussed adding a modest fee for transit to major events, exploring tolls for certain road users, and refinancing a portion of RTD’s debt. She also supports asking voters to consider a modest increase in the local sales tax, which provides roughly 70 % of RTD’s revenue, to help cover inflation‑driven maintenance costs.
“I believe we should ask voters for more tax revenue,” Arcuri said, acknowledging that any tax increase would need voter approval and that such measures are not always easy to pass.
Service improvements and future projects
Beyond the budget, Arcuri wants more frequent service, especially in the mountainous parts of the district where coverage is “really, really thin.” She says a comprehensive operational analysis will help the board understand how residents use RTD, especially as remote work reduces commuter trips.
Arcuri expressed support for the Front Range Passenger Rail, known as the Colorado Connector, which would link Denver with Fort Collins and Boulder by 2029. While she calls further funding for the project a “tricky balancing act,” she believes the rail line offers a needed alternative to driving on I‑25 and should be pursued when revenue permits.
Community focus
Arcuri says voters care about expanding the network, improving rail service, keeping fares affordable, and reducing pollution. She emphasizes that public input will guide any future changes, and she hopes to involve residents early in the planning process.
Her campaign currently lists no endorsements and she faces an opponent in the race. Voters in District N will decide in the upcoming election whether Arcuri’s financial‑stability plan and modest revenue ideas will guide RTD forward.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
