October Update: Nov. 3 Election Campaign + Board Meets Oct. 12
There is a lot going on this fall with Friends of YVRTA: campaign events, getting the word out, and connecting with so many of you about what RTA Ballot Issue 7A means for getting around the valley, from safer trips on Highway 40 to new routes where there are none today.
Election ballots are arriving now. Sign the envelope and return yours: it must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Here is how to vote.
On the Road
We have joined the Town of Hayden's community forums on this fall's ballot measures and presented to Steamboat Rotary, the Western Resilience Center's ballot session, and the Steamboat Veterans Center, and had a lot of good conversations along the way. Thank you to everyone who invited us in, asked hard questions, and told us what getting around looks like where you live.
Welcome aboard, Steamboat Restaurant Association. The association has endorsed RTA Ballot Issue 7A. The people who serve this valley every day know what a reliable ride to work means.
Next up: Craig. We will be spending time in Craig next week. On Thursday, October 15, the Community Foundation is hosting a community reception at Bad Alibi, 5 to 7 p.m., open to the public, and we will be there. Come say hello.
Would your group, club, or workplace like a short presentation before November 3? Reply to this email and we will make it work, and see Join Us for more ways to help.
Yard Signs Are Here
Our RTA Ballot Issue 7A yard signs are ready. If you would like one for your yard or business, write to hello@friendsofyvrta.org and we will get one to you.
YVRTA Board Meets Monday
The YVRTA Board meets Monday, October 12 at 4 p.m. at Hayden Town Hall, 178 West Jefferson Avenue, with Zoom available. On the agenda:
- State grant application seeking $1 million. Resolution 2026-030 approves applying for $1,000,000 from the state's Clean Transit Enterprise for a service plan focused on Craig and the west end: a Craig circulator route, design for a Craig bus facility with charging, Highway 40 west stops, park-and-rides, and moving the regional route from Steamboat Springs Transit to the RTA.
- An independent audit. Resolution 2026-031 puts out a request for proposals for an independent audit of the RTA's 2026 finances.
- The executive director finalist schedule, plus updates on branding, the regional bus transition, and talks with Steamboat Ski & Resort.
Join on Zoom, meeting ID 856 3190 7413, passcode 488150.
Four Executive Director Finalists
The RTA's first executive director search drew 26 applicants. On September 28 the board unanimously advanced four finalists: William Higdon, Charles Odimgbe, Carson Priest, and Brent Timm. You can meet them on Friday, October 23 at open houses at Centennial Hall in Steamboat (8:30 to 10 a.m.) and The Hayden Center (4:30 to 6 p.m.). Board interviews are Saturday, October 24 at Hayden Town Hall, open to watch in person or on Zoom. The board expects to choose by the end of October.
In the News
A federal grant application for six buses. In September the board approved applying for about $4.5 million in federal funds toward six regional buses, a project of about $5.26 million, with a local match of roughly $790,000 from the RTA's budget. Four buses would run between Craig and Steamboat Springs, with two spares, and a decision is expected by year's end. (Steamboat Pilot) Craig City Council unanimously backed the request with a letter of support. "I don't see why we would not support this," Mayor Chris Nichols said. (Craig Press)
Meet the finalists. The Steamboat Pilot profiles the four executive director finalists, whose experience ranges from large transit agencies in the Washington, D.C., area, Ohio, and Rhode Island to a rural Washington State system built from startup and a commuter organization north of Denver. Along with the October 23 open houses, the candidates are tentatively slated to stop in Oak Creek, Yampa, and Craig that day.
Your local ballot, explained. The Pilot's guide to local ballot measures walks through the local measures on this fall's ballot and calls RTA Ballot Issue 7A "the most sweeping ballot measure this fall."
Dates
Thu, Oct. 15, 5-7 p.m. Community Foundation reception, Bad Alibi, Craig
Fri, Oct. 23 Executive director open houses, Steamboat (morning) and Hayden (afternoon)
Sat, Oct. 24 Executive director interviews, Hayden Town Hall
Mon, Oct. 26 YVRTA Board
Tue, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. Ballots due
Share the Word
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky, and share and repost what you see. A post from a neighbor goes further than anything we can say ourselves. Everything about the measure is at friendsofyvrta.org/7a, and our article RTA Ballot Issue 7A: What It Does, and How to Help It Pass is an easy one to forward.
Thank you for the questions, the shares, and the conversations with your neighbors. It means a lot to us, to our neighbors, and to our community. Vote YES on RTA 7A, and get your ballot in by 7 p.m. on November 3.
