The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition is suing RTD, the Denver metro-area transit authority, over what the group says is inaccessibility at the newly renovated Union Station.
The building re-opened to much fanfare last month, with a new hotel and restaurants.
The station’s Great Hall features a public area with seating and shuffleboard tables, but the area is elevated and unreachable by people who can't climb stairs, according to the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.
The Coalition says RTD has offered to set up a temporary ramp when someone needs it. The group’s attorney, Andrew Montoya, says that’s not enough.
"That’s absolutely not the same experience, basically to have to go around, see that there is no ramp, and then make your way around, trying to find someone who maybe can get a ramp out for you," Montoya said.
Montoya says his organization brought up the issue with the Regional Transportation District while the remodel was still in the planning stages.
"We’ve been round and round with both RTD and the city of Denver kind of tackling this problem," Montoya said. "And the fact that it still went up and still was installed, we think that shows at least a reckless disregard for folks’ civil rights."
The suit says Union Station is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act., and it is asking a court to require RTD to install permanent wheelchair access.
RTD did not return phone calls asking for reaction.
The station's property managers, The Union Station Alliance, said in an email that it had not seen the complaint and could not comment on any specifics until the suit had been reviewed.
The written statement went on to say, "Our design team has been working with CCDC representatives to understand appropriate alternatives to address their concerns and while we are disappointed that they chose to file suit, it will not deter us in our commitment to continue to make Denver’s Union Station and The Crawford Hotel accessible to all."
People from across the country are looking for ways to help families of the 10 people killed at a King Soopers in Boulder on March 22.
We've compiled a list of area groups that are collecting contributions in the aftermath of the shooting.
In July, we published this statement in recognition of the work we needed to begin at CPR to confront issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in our newsroom and organization as a whole.
We know this work is urgent, and we are dedicated to doing it thoroughly and connecting it with our vision and mission to reach all and serve everyone in Colorado.
Here is an update on our progress over the last eight months.
It takes a good day’s drive to cover Colorado, but we’ll help you do it in a few minutes each morning. The Lookout daily email brings you a closer look at the issues that affect you with a rundown of important fact-based reporting — with a side of Colorado flavor.