Denver RTD LiVE 2026–27: Half-Price Fares Up to 250% of Poverty, Income Chart, PEAK Application and Renewal
Updated: 21 hours ago
RTD's LiVE program cuts bus, light rail and commuter rail fares by 50% for riders 20 and older at or below 250% of the poverty level. You apply through Colorado's PEAK website.
AT A GLANCE
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Here's the math that makes RTD's LiVE program worth fifteen minutes of paperwork.
A standard RTD Monthly Pass costs $88. With LiVE, the same pass costs $27. That's a saving of $61 a month, or more than $700 over a year, for anyone who rides regularly.
Even occasional riders come out ahead: a 3-Hour Pass drops from $2.75 to $1.35, and a Day Pass from $5.50 to $2.70.
LiVE is RTD's income-based discount. It cuts fares by 50% on buses, light rail and commuter rail, including trips to and from Denver International Airport, and it also discounts Access-a-Ride and Access-on-Demand for riders certified for those services. Unlike many transit discounts, you apply through Colorado's benefits website, PEAK, which means if you already get Medicaid or SNAP, approval can be close to instant.
This guide covers the 2026 income limits, exactly what PEAK asks for, how long it takes, how to keep the discount from lapsing, and what to do if you're denied. All figures are from RTD's LiVE page, its 2026 LiVE Q&A, and its fares pages, checked in October 2026.
What LiVE Costs Compared With Standard Fares
Fare product | Standard fare | LiVE / discount fare |
|---|---|---|
3-Hour Pass | $2.75 | $1.35 |
Day Pass | $5.50 | $2.70 |
Airport Day Pass | $10 | Included (no extra charge) |
Monthly Pass | $88 | $27 |
10-Ride Ticket Book | Not listed | $13.50 |
Access-a-Ride one-way | $4.50 | $2.25 |
Access-a-Ride airport one-way | $19 | $9.50 |
All discount fares include the Airport Fare Zone, so you never need an airport upgrade with LiVE.
Fare capping makes it even better
If you pay through the RTD MyRide app or a MyRide card with your LiVE discount registered, RTD caps what you pay:
Tap once and you're charged $1.35 for a LiVE 3-Hour Pass. Tap again later and you're charged another $1.35, at which point you've hit the $2.70 daily cap and ride free the rest of the service day.
Once you've been charged $27 in a calendar month, you've earned a LiVE Monthly Pass and ride free for the rest of the month.
That means you never have to pay $27 up front for a monthly pass. You can pay toward it ride by ride.
A photo that doesn't meet these rules is the most common cause of delay.
To get the capped LiVE prices, you must add the LiVE discount to your MyRide account, online or by calling RTD Customer Care at 303.299.6000.
Who Qualifies
You qualify for LiVE if you are:
20 or older. Youth 19 and under already ride free on all RTD services under Zero Fare for Youth.
At or below 250% of the federal poverty level in gross household income.
A few things that often surprise applicants:
You don't have to live inside the RTD district. RTD removed the in-district requirement.
Immigration and citizenship status don't matter. You're not asked about them, and you don't need a Social Security number. Providing one may speed things up.
Your household is your tax household. Members are the people on the same tax return. If you don't file and aren't on someone else's return, your household is you, your spouse, and your children who live with you.
2026 income limits
RTD's limits, effective April 1, 2026, are based on gross monthly household income (before taxes):
Household members | Gross monthly income limit |
|---|---|
1 | $3,325.00 |
2 | $4,508.33 |
3 | $5,691.67 |
4 | $6,875.00 |
5 | $8,058.33 |
6 | $9,241.67 |
7 | $10,425.00 |
8 | $11,608.33 |
RTD publishes limits up to a 14-person household ($18,708.33 a month). Count all income for adults in the household, including pensions, Social Security, unemployment and other benefit income, not only wages.
The shortcut: other benefits count as proof
If you or a household member is already enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP or Colorado Works, PEAK won't ask income questions at all. RTD's Q&A says enrollment in LEAP, Child Care Assistance, SSI, WIC, or Free and Reduced Lunch also counts as income qualification.
How to Apply on PEAK, Step by Step
Go to colorado.gov/PEAK on a computer, phone or tablet. The LiVE application isn't available in the PEAK mobile app, so use the website.
Click "Apply for Benefits." Create an account or apply as a guest. Guest is fine if you're only applying for LiVE. Make an account if you also want food, medical, cash, child care or energy help, or want to save and finish later.
Choose "I know what benefits I want to apply for" and select "RTD Denver LiVE Program."
List everyone in your household, even people who won't use LiVE. PEAK uses household size and every adult's income to work out your level. For someone who isn't applying, just untick their LiVE box.
Upload a photo of each applicant (details below).
Upload income proof if PEAK asks for it. If you have no income, tick the box saying so, and you won't need to upload anything.
Submit. PEAK will tell you on screen whether you're approved, denied or pending, and you'll get a letter in the mail.
Can't apply online, or need another language? Applications are in English and Spanish. For help in other languages, or to apply by phone or get in-person assistance, contact Denver Human Services at 720.944.4346 or dhs_rtd_live@denvergov.org. If a nonprofit or government agency already helps you, ask them to help with the application.
Documents You'll Need
A photo for each applicant. It'll be printed on your LiVE ID card, so RTD is strict:
Full color and in focus.
From the shoulders up, with your full face uncovered.
Facing straight on, not tilted.
A neutral or light background.
Not a photo of your driver's license or any other ID card.
A photo that doesn't meet these rules is the most common cause of delay.
Income proof, only if you aren't on Medicaid, SNAP or Colorado Works. Upload proof for every adult in the household, for example:
All pay stubs from the last 30 days.
Letters from employers.
Self-employment income and expense statements.
Award letters for unemployment, retirement, Social Security or other unearned income.
Documents should show the employer's name, the employee's name and the gross amount.
A mailing address. If you don't have one, ask a shelter or service agency whether you can use theirs. Without an address, your card will be held for pickup at RTD's main office, 1660 Blake Street, Denver.
Before you call
☐ A photo of each applicant: color, shoulders up, face uncovered, plain background, not a photo of an ID.
☐ Income proof for every adult (pay stubs from the last 30 days, award letters), unless someone is on Medicaid, SNAP or Colorado Works.
☐ The names of everyone on your tax household.
☐ A mailing address, or a shelter or agency address you can use.
How Long It Takes, and What Happens Next
Already on Medicaid, SNAP or Colorado Works, with a photo uploaded: approval may be instant.
Pending benefits, or Denver Human Services needs more information: processing can take up to 45 days.
After approval: RTD mails your LiVE card, typically within two weeks, and RTD says most people get it in 4 to 7 business days.
To ride, carry both your LiVE card and a valid discount fare (a ticket, pass, MyRide barcode, or MyRide card). Drivers and fare inspectors can ask to see the card. You can buy discount fares at RTD sales outlets, at select King Soopers and Safeway stores, on rtdonlinestore.com, in the MyRide app, or with cash on board and at ticket machines.
Renewal: Don't Let It Lapse
A LiVE card is valid for one year from approval, even if your income rises during that year.
To renew, submit a new application on PEAK. You can apply as early as 90 days before the expiration date printed on your card.
Put a reminder in your phone for 90 days before expiry. Renewing early means no gap in discounted fares.
Don't reapply if your card is lost or stolen, if it never arrived, or if you moved before it arrived. Instead, contact RTD at 303.299.2382 or livecard@rtd-denver.com, and RTD will mail a replacement. RTD's discount page says there's currently no fee for replacement special discount cards.
If You're Denied
RTD's Q&A doesn't describe an appeal. It says a denial means you aren't eligible at this time, and that you can submit a new application in PEAK at any time if your income, address or household information changes. Before you reapply:
Read the denial letter carefully to see the reason.
Check your household count. Leaving out a household member makes your income limit lower than it should be.
Check what income you reported. The test is gross income. Make sure you didn't double-count, and that pay stubs cover the last 30 days.
Check other benefits. If someone in your household is enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, Colorado Works, LEAP, Child Care Assistance, SSI, WIC or Free and Reduced Lunch, that may qualify the whole application.
Call Denver Human Services (720.944.4346) with questions about eligibility or an application in progress. For PEAK technical problems, call the PEAK Technical Support Center at 800.250.7741.
Other RTD Discounts to Check First
LiVE can't be combined with other RTD discounts, but you may not need it at all:
Seniors 65+, people with disabilities and Medicare recipients pay the same discount fares. Seniors can just show a state ID or license with their birth date.
Youth 19 and under ride free on all RTD services.
Active-duty U.S. military ride free.
Nonprofits and government agencies that serve low-income or homeless clients can join RTD's Nonprofit Pass Program to buy tickets in bulk. Ask your caseworker.
RTD's Special Discount Office is at 303-299-2668 or specialdiscount@rtd-denver.com, with in-person help Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., at 1660 Blake St.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Denver
More help in Denver: Denver financial help guides
Related guides
Official sources
This guide gives general information. Fares and limits can change, so confirm with RTD or Denver Human Services before you apply.
October 2026 (RTD LiVE page, 2026 LiVE Q&A and fares pages)
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