Denver Daily: Mask Ban Vote, A Line Cancellations, PrideFest Moves Downtown

Top local headlines

1) Denver moves to bar masks for law enforcement during operations

On Monday, March 2, Denver City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents operating in the city, from wearing face coverings while detaining, interrogating, or arresting people. The measure also leans on clearer identification requirements, with exemptions for scenarios like undercover work and certain tactical or emergency responses.

Supporters say the goal is basic transparency and public trust. Critics and some federal officials argue the city may have limited power to enforce the rule on federal agents, setting up a potential legal and practical test once the ordinance is signed and takes effect.

2) RTD A Line riders face cancellations tied to staffing for a required second crew member

RTD says recent A Line cancellations have been driven by a shortage of a federally required second crew member on some trips. The issue is tied to staffing levels for contracted, trained personnel assigned to the line, and RTD says it cannot easily reassign just any staff because of the specific requirements for the role.

If staffing gaps persist, RTD has signaled it may run trains at 30-minute intervals when needed and urges riders to rely on service alerts to avoid surprise gaps, especially for airport trips with tight timelines.

3) Denver PrideFest relocates to 16th Street and trims to one day

Organizers have moved the 2026 PrideFest out of Civic Center Park because the park is expected to be under construction in June. The festival is planned for 16th Street, and PrideFest is set to run as a one-day event on Saturday, June 28, with the parade route also shifting to match the new downtown footprint.

For downtown businesses, the move could bring a concentrated surge of foot traffic. For attendees, it likely means a different transit-and-street-closure map than prior years, with more activity spread along the corridor.

Quick takeaways

• City policy: Watch for the mayor’s signature, the effective date, and any guidance on enforcement.
• Transit: If you use the A Line, consider building extra buffer time and turning on RTD alerts.
• Events: PrideFest planning is earlier than usual this year because of the venue shift.

Sources

• https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/03/02/denver-law-enforcement-face-mask-ban
• https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/rtds-a-line-cancellations-caused-by-third-party-contractors-staffing-shortage
• https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-pride-2026-new-location-parade-route/