L Line (RTD)
The L Line is a light rail line which is part of the light rail system operated by the Regional Transportation District in the Denver–Aurora Metropolitan Area in Colorado. The L Line opened as part of a service change in 2018 and is formed by a truncated section of the D Line, which formerly served the route.
Route
The L Line's northern terminus is in Five Points northeast of downtown Denver. From 30th & Downing station, it runs southwest along Welton Street before turning down 19th Street. On trips toward downtown, the line runs along Stout Street; on trips leaving downtown, the line loops back at 14th Street before serving stations on California Street and then heading back to 30th & Downing along Welton Street.Proposed extension
The Central Rail Extension Mobility Study Final Report proposed that the D Line stations from 20th & Welton to 30th & Downing and future extension stations be operated on an independent route. This route would operate from the downtown loop to a new terminus created by sharing the A Line's 38th & Blake station. Former D Line riders would have to transfer to the new L Line as the D Line's new northern terminus would be the downtown loop. The 14th & California station closed in 2004 could be restored to support the L Line at the Convention Center, allowing for transfers to Theatre District–Convention Center station. RTD's board of directors approved the introduction of the current shorter version of the L Line with the January 14, 2018 service changes. The L Line uses existing track between 30th & Downing station and the downtown loop.Beginning on May 26, 2024, the L Line was suspended, as part of Phase 1 of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project, which involves rebuilding some of the oldest sections of RTD track. However, on August 29, that phase was completed, and on September 29, the D, H, and L Lines returned to service. Service on the L Line was temporarily suspended again on August 31, 2025 for Phase 3 of the Downtown Rail Reconstruction Project. Service resumed on January 4, 2026, after the completion of Phase 3.