The Regional Transportation District will continue to allow active duty military personnel to ride public transit free of charge through 2020.

“This benefit is the least we can do for the brave, self-sacrificing women and men who serve our great country,” RTD board Chair Doug Tisdale said.

To qualify for a free ride on any route — including the SkyRide and BroncosRide services — soldiers must wear their uniforms or present identification that has “Geneva Convention Identification Card” printed on the bottom.

Class A uniforms constitute the dress uniform service jacket with decorations. Class B uniforms are “less formal, without the dress uniform service jacket,” according to RTD.

In October 2006, the RTD board voted for the first time to give free rides to the military through November and December of that year, and has since renewed the program annually. RTD credited Retired Brigadier General Bernie Rogoff with the original idea.

“It would help our guys stay in who don’t have any money and have to use public transportation,” Rogoff said on Thursday. He said that at the time, Colorado National Guard members were migrating to other states, and he felt that an additional benefit would help with recruitment and retention.

“The other issue was if family members happen to be with them, what do the drivers do? The drivers are letting them ride,” Rogoff added.

Among other benefits to veterans, the state offers a disabled veteran license plate, a free admission pass in August to state parks and recreation areas, and free small-game hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a service-connected disability.