RTD honors 19-year driver for Colfax transit work

Nineteen years of driving experience defined the career of the driver selected as RTD’s November 2026 Operator of the Month. Steve Krat, who works out of the Boulder Division, received the recognition for his role in preparing staff for changes along East Colfax Avenue.

Krat focused his efforts on improving bus rapid transit training before bus-only lane operations began. He played a central role in developing procedures for handling bicycles. His experience and insights helped ensure the training program met its goals as the agency prepared for the new traffic patterns.

Krat has driven for RTD for 19 years. Before joining the transit agency, he worked as a taxi driver in New York. He describes his career path with humor, noting that in a past life, he was a Top Gun fighter pilot.

When asked what he likes best about his job, Krat points to the shared culture among drivers. "The best part of my job is being a part of the unspoken understanding that we all share; 'We're all in this together, let's help each other out,'" he said. He listens to celebratory rock music if given the chance and would equip his bus with giant bouncy monster truck tires and a convertible roof.

Krat has no strong opinion on his current uniform, calling it just fine. If he could choose any service to operate, he would create a potluck lunch employee shuttle bus for RTD staff.