RTD LiVE Card: How to Get 50% Off Every Bus in Boulder
If you have EBT or Medicaid, you almost certainly qualify for the RTD LiVE card — which cuts every bus and rail fare in half, including the Flatiron Flyer to Denver. Most people who qualify don't know it exists.
Getting around Boulder without a car is manageable. Getting to Denver — where many services, day labor halls, and larger shelters are — is where transportation becomes a real barrier. The Flatiron Flyer runs between Boulder and Denver in about an hour, but that fare adds up fast when you're using it regularly.
The RTD LiVE card cuts that cost in half. And for most people experiencing homelessness in Boulder who are already in the benefit system, getting one is straightforward.
Do You Qualify?
You qualify for the RTD LiVE card if you receive any of these:
- ✓EBT / SNAPMost common qualifier for people experiencing homelessness.
- ✓Medicaid / CHP+Colorado's public health insurance program.
- ✓SSI or SSDIFederal disability benefits.
- ✓Other qualifying programsAsk at DHS — the list is broader than most people expect.
How to Get It
- 1Go to Boulder County DHS — 3460 BroadwayHours: Monday–Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM. Walk in.
- 2Tell them you want to apply for the RTD LiVE cardThey'll verify your eligibility against whatever benefits you're already receiving.
- 3Bring whatever ID you haveEven an expired ID or an All Roads letter confirming your residency helps. If you have nothing, talk to a case manager at All Roads first.
- 4Load it and use itThe card works like a transit pass — tap or show it on any RTD bus or rail. Half price every ride, no limit.
The Flatiron Flyer to Denver
The FF1 and FF2 routes run directly between Boulder's transit center (14th & Walnut) and downtown Denver, with stops along the way. Travel time is roughly an hour depending on traffic. Buses run frequently during the day — check the RTD schedule at rtd-denver.com or just show up at the transit station and ask.
If you're heading to Denver for St. Francis Center, Denver Rescue Mission, day labor halls in Longmont, or any other resource — the Flatiron Flyer is your lifeline. Check the return times before you go so you're not stuck in Denver after service hours.