Program Provides GES Residents with Free Toll Transponders

The G.E.S. Gazette Staff

The GES Tolling Equity Program provides a free switchable transponder and Express Lanes credit, as well as free RTD transit passes, for low-income residents of Globeville, Elyria and Swansea. The program offer ends at the end of September, and residents can apply for the transponders during these times:

• 3-4 p.m. first Monday of every month, Globeville Center, 4496 Grant St.
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. first Tuesday of every month, Garden Place Elementary, 4425 Lincoln St.
• 3-4 p.m. first Wednesday of every month, Swansea Elementary, 4650 Columbine St.
• 4:30-5:30 p.m. first Wednesday of every month, Valdez Perry Library, 4690 Vine St.
• 4-7 p.m. first Thursday of every month, Globeville Center, 4496 Grant St.

The Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) is responsible for financing and operating Express Lanes, which embarked on a year-long stakeholder engagement process to comply with the federal requirement on the Central 70 Project to provide discounted access to Express Lanes for low-income residents in the GES neighborhoods.

The Central 70 Project encompasses a 10-mile stretch of I-70 between Brighton Boulevard and Chambers Road in Denver. The Central 70 tolling equity program was approved by the CTIO Board of Directors in 2022 after engagement with a steering committee established to guide the process.

The Northeast Transportation Connections (NETC), which operates the GES Connector rideshare program, is conducting outreach and registration for eligible GES residents.

Further information on registering for the toll credit/transponder can be found on the NETC website at netransportation. org/tollequity. More information and how to apply for the transporters can be found at codot.gov/programs/ expresslanes/gestollingequity.