Public transportation is a lifeline for the Denver metro area, but for some, a routine trip on the light rail or a wait at a bus terminal ends in a traumatic confrontation. As crime rates at transit hubs fluctuate, the question for victims is often: Could this have been prevented? At Lampert & Walsh, LLC, we believe that safety is not a luxury, it is a requirement. When the Regional Transportation District (RTD) fails to implement reasonable security measures at locations with a known history of violence, they may be held accountable under Colorado’s premises liability laws.
The State of Safety at Denver Transit Hubs
While RTD has recently increased its Transit Police force to over 100 sworn officers, many stations remain hotspots for criminal activity. In early 2026, RTD reported that while security-related calls saw an overall decrease of roughly 18 percent in 2025, violent incidents, including assault at Denver light rail stations and drug-related crimes, still occur at a rate that concerns daily commuters.
High-traffic hubs such as Union Station, Decatur-Federal, and the Aurora Metro Center have historically required more frequent law enforcement intervention. Public transit agencies commonly report handling thousands of security-related calls each month. For victims, these figures represent more than statistics; they can serve as evidence that certain locations present a foreseeable risk of crime, potentially requiring heightened security measures.
Proving Negligent Security: The Foreseeability Factor
Under the Colorado Premises Liability Act, a property owner, including a public entity, must protect lawful visitors from foreseeable risks. Negligent security premises liability for CO claims against RTD typically focus on whether the agency knew, or should have known, that a station was dangerous.
Investigating Crime History
To prove foreseeability of crime, we investigate the history of the specific station where the assault occurred. If there have been multiple robberies, stabbings, or assaults at the same light rail platform within the last year, RTD is on “notice” that the current security is insufficient.
Evidence used to prove foreseeability includes:
- Crime Maps: Analyzing police reports within a 1,000-foot radius of the station.
- Internal RTD Memos: Seeking records where employees or riders complained about safety at a specific stop.
- Lighting Audits: Identifying “dark zones” where cameras cannot clearly capture faces or license plates.
RTD Safety Failures: When Reasonable Care Is Missing
A claim for RTD safety failures often highlights specific gaps in the agency’s security model. Even with a growing police force, the physical design of a station can contribute to negligence.
Common failures include:
- Inadequate Surveillance: Cameras that are broken, poorly placed, or not monitored in real-time.
- Lack of Personnel: Stations left completely unattended during late-night or early-morning hours despite high crime rates.
- Environmental Neglect: Broken emergency call boxes (Blue Light phones) or elevators being used for illicit activity due to lack of patrol.
- Failure to Warn: Not notifying passengers of a recent spike in violent activity at a particular transit hub.
The 182-Day Deadline: The Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA)
The biggest hurdle for victims is that RTD is a government entity. This means it is protected by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA). While immunity is often waived for “dangerous conditions” in public buildings, the process of filing a claim is much stricter than a private lawsuit.
The Strict 182-Day Notice: You must file a formal “Notice of Claim” with RTD and the state within 182 days (roughly six months) of the incident. If you miss this deadline, your right to seek public transport victim compensation is permanently barred. This is a shorter timeline than the typical two-year statute of limitations for private personal injury claims.
RTD Liability and Damage Caps
If we successfully prove that RTD’s negligence led to your assault, the compensation you can recover is subject to statutory caps. As of January 1, 2026, these caps have been adjusted:
- Per Person Cap: Generally, around $424,000 for a single person in a single occurrence.
- Per Occurrence Cap: Approximately $1,195,000 for multiple people injured in one incident.
While these caps limit the total recovery, a successful claim can still provide the funds necessary for medical bills, trauma counseling, and lost wages.
Common Recoverable Damages for Transit Victims
| Damage Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Economic | Hospital bills, surgery costs, and ongoing physical therapy |
| Non-Economic | Pain and suffering, PTSD, and emotional distress |
| Lost Income | Wages lost while recovering or inability to return to work |
| Counseling | Specialized therapy for victims of violent crime |
How an RTD Station Injury Lawyer Builds Your Case?
Building a case against a transit giant requires immediate and aggressive action. At Lampert & Walsh, LLC, we don’t wait for RTD to release information. We take the following steps to protect our clients:
- Preservation Orders: We send legal notices to RTD to ensure surveillance footage is not overwritten.
- Witness Canvassing: We use social media and Transit Watch data to find other passengers who saw the incident or have experienced similar threats.
- Expert Testimony: We work with security consultants who can testify whether RTD’s staffing levels met industry standards for a transit hub of that size.
Fighting for a Safer Commute
Public transportation should be a symbol of a connected, thriving city, not a place of fear. When RTD accepts your fare, they enter into an agreement to provide a reasonably safe environment. When they fail that duty by ignoring crime trends or cutting corners on station security, they must be held accountable. We stand with the victims of transit violence. We are committed to exposing the RTD safety failures that put commuters at risk and fighting for the compensation you need to move forward. If you or a loved one has been a victim of an assault at Denver light rail or any transit facility, let our experienced team handle the legal burden. To protect your rights and help make our city’s transit safer for everyone, please contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I sue RTD if I was hit by another passenger?
Yes, but you aren’t suing RTD for the other person’s actions; you are suing them for negligent security. You must prove RTD failed to provide a safe environment that could have deterred or prevented the assault.
What is the Transit Watch app, and can it be used as evidence?
The Transit Watch app allows riders to report crimes in real-time. We can subpoena these reports to show that RTD was aware of ongoing safety issues at a station but failed to increase patrols or fix lighting.
What if I was assaulted on a bus or train, not at the station?
RTD’s duty of care extends to the vehicles themselves. If a driver failed to stop an escalating situation or if a train car had no functioning emergency intercom, you may still have a claim for negligence.
Is the 182-day notice requirement flexible?
No. The CGIA notice deadline is strictly enforced by Colorado courts. Even if you are still in the hospital or recovering from trauma, the notice must be filed to preserve your legal rights.
What if the person who assaulted me was never caught?
You can still file a negligent security claim. The goal is to hold the property owner (RTD) accountable for the lack of security, regardless of whether the criminal is identified or prosecuted.
