Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Executive Director Shoshana Lew marked the 10th anniversary of Bustang, the state’s interregional express bus service, at a celebration in Denver.
“This milestone marks ten years of a successful service that Coloradans continue choosing,” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. “Over the past decade, Bustang has significantly increased ridership and grown its reach— providing access to an expanding range of popular destinations that serve both residents and visitors. This past year, Bustang served almost four times its initial customer base — helping to reduce traffic congestion, especially in busy areas like the I-70 mountain corridor — with a cleaner alternative.”
Bustang began operations on July 13, 2015, initially running three routes connecting Denver with Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Glenwood Springs. The first year saw 103,000 riders. Now operating along 20 routes across Colorado and connecting all four corners of the state, Bustang has boarded nearly 2.1 million passengers over ten years. Annual ridership has more than tripled to 351,000 passenger trips in the most recent twelve months.
To support this growth in ridership, CDOT has developed mobility hubs along major corridors to facilitate easier transfers between local amenities and Bustang services.
“As we mark this milestone, it’s important to look at the range of riders who benefit from the service Bustang provides — ranging from commuters on the I-25 corridor who can take advantage of improved infrastructure that adds efficiency to their commutes, to travelers along I-70 seeking a safe alternative to traversing the mountains in the snow,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “Bustang is a national model for how transit can work across urban and rural areas, and provide consumers with more choices.”
In response to public demand and available resources, Bustang has expanded its fleet and service options over time. In 2025 alone, CDOT added 25 new coaches—doubling its fleet size—and introduced new features for accessibility and safety. Service frequency was increased on key routes: both North and South Lines on I-25 now offer twelve daily runs each (up from six), while daily runs on the I-70 West Line have risen from four to fifteen.
Bustang also extended service coverage by adding another round trip between Crested Butte and Denver as well as introducing Denver International Airport connections on its Sterling-Denver route.
To further improve convenience for riders throughout Northern Colorado, CDOT partnered with local agencies to build three mobility hubs along I-25 designed to enhance regional bus connectivity and reduce traffic congestion.
Photos from today’s event will be available after 5 p.m. in the Bustang 10 Year Anniversary album online.
