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. Since its launch on July 13, 2015, Bustang has expanded from three routes connecting Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, and Glenwood Springs to a network of 20 routes serving communities across the state.
“This milestone marks ten years of a successful service that Coloradans continue choosing,” said 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.”
Initial annual ridership was about 103,000 passengers in its first year. Over ten years, nearly 2.1 million passengers have boarded Bustang buses statewide. In the last twelve months alone, annual ridership grew to approximately 351,000 passenger trips—more than triple the number from its first year.
CDOT has responded to increasing demand by adding new coaches and expanding service frequency on key routes. In 2025, CDOT doubled Bustang’s fleet by adding 25 new coaches equipped with updated accessibility features and amenities. Service frequency increased on major lines: daily runs on both I-25 North and South Lines rose from six to twelve; I-70 West Line service went from four to fifteen daily runs.
“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 Shoshana Lew. “Bustang is a national model for how transit can work across urban and rural areas, and provide consumers with more choices.”
Bustang has also added new destinations based on public requests—including an additional round trip between Crested Butte and Denver as well as direct service between Sterling-Denver route stops and Denver International Airport.
To improve convenience for riders transferring between services or accessing local amenities, CDOT partnered with local agencies to build three mobility hubs along I-25 in Northern Colorado.
Photos from today’s event are available online after 5 p.m.
