Fort Collins to Partner With Police on Transit Safety, Cutting Transit Officer Positions
Fort Collins will shift away from hiring dedicated transit security officers and instead partner with police mental health response teams to address safety concerns on buses and at transit facilities, officials announced October 28 during a City Council work session.
The city currently employs two Transit Service Officers with four vacant positions after receiving 68 applications but hiring only one candidate in recent recruiting efforts, according to Steve Zaparo, senior operations manager for Transfort.
"We can't rely on this model alone," Zaparo told council members, explaining the new approach that repurposes four future TSO positions to support a partnership with Fort Collins Police Services through the Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement Team and the Mental Health Response Team.
The hybrid approach will add one full-time position through the police department and provide specialized training for transit-related incidents. Contracted security officers currently fill gaps left by TSO vacancies, and as the city fills existing TSO positions, contracted security will be reduced to maintain budget neutrality.
Framework Addresses Root Causes of Transit Incidents
Police Services will use a framework of scanning, analysis, response and assessment to address transit safety issues, involving HOPE Team officers, MHART clinicians and District 1 patrol officers in coordinated interventions.
The HOPE Team pairs sworn officers with homeless outreach specialists to connect unhoused individuals with services and housing resources. MHART teams combine officers with licensed mental health professionals to respond to behavioral health crises through de-escalation and voluntary service referrals.
Transit Director Kaylee Zeisel said the partnership ensures consistent coverage and brings specialized experience to support passengers and operators dealing with complex situations on buses and at transit centers.
"This approach ensures consistent coverage and brings specialized training and experience to support our passengers and operators," Zeisel said.
Community survey data shows perceptions of safety, particularly along the MAX bus rapid transit line, are improving, though officials acknowledged ongoing challenges remain.
Recruiting Difficulties Prompt Policy Shift
Transit Service Officers are civilian city employees who provide customer service, de-escalate conflicts and report serious incidents to police but lack arrest authority and do not carry weapons. The positions require background checks and basic training but not the full Peace Officer Standards and Training certification required for sworn law enforcement.
The difficulty filling TSO positions mirrors broader recruitment challenges for specialized civilian public safety roles. Fort Collins historically relied on two to four TSO positions dating to the expansion of transit services following the 2014 launch of the MAX line.
The city continues attempting to fill the two current TSO vacancies while contracted security provides interim coverage at the South Transit Center, Downtown Transit Center and on routes. As those positions are filled, contracted security costs will decrease to offset the expense of the police partnership.
Fort Collins operates Transfort, the municipal transit system that launched July 1, 1974 and now serves approximately 2.8 million to 2.9 million riders annually. The system includes local fixed routes, MAX rapid transit, regional connections and paratransit services.
The transit safety model change is part of broader service adjustments the city is implementing in response to financial constraints, including reduced funding from regional partners and state grant programs. Transfort projects implementing a redesigned route network in 2027 to align service with available resources while maintaining core coverage and frequency goals.
Questions about transit safety and security can be directed to Transfort at 970-221-6620 or ridetransfort.com.