Project Credit: Jim K., Design Principal with Z-Group Architects: Team and Design Lead, 2010.

The RFTA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project led by Michael Baker & Associates, with Z-Group Architects playing a key architectural role in shaping the stations and rider experience, and coordinating with the branding efforts. Initiated after RFTA won a Federal Transit Grant, the project reimagined a 40-mile transit corridor between Glenwood Springs and Aspen. This project architecture and integrated landscaping transformed simple bus stops into distinctive, branded stations with cohesive materials, wayfinding, and landscape design. The collaboration focused on integrating aesthetic and functional elements that reflect the Roaring Fork Valley’s geologic character while enhancing usability.

When VelociRFTA began service in 2013, it became the first rural Bus Rapid Transit system in the United States, a breakthrough in extending high-quality, frequent transit service beyond urban settings to serve dispersed mountain communities. This system’s success significantly boosted ridership, improved regional mobility, and set a precedent for rural transit innovation by combining rigorous design, strong branding, and community-oriented station environments that support year-round use.