DENVER — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will explore the reestablishment of passenger rail service to northwest Colorado, as well as transit connectivity statewide, as part of a new $5-million study.
CDOT said there is the potential to restart passenger rail service on the 191-mile Union Pacific Railroad route that runs from Denver through Winter Park and Steamboat Springs, ending in Craig. Passenger rail service along this route ended in 1968.
CDOT said the vision for mountain rail became a real possibility because of recent developments that include dramatically decreased coal train traffic on Union Pacific rail lines, leading rail officials to be open to the possibility of hosting more passenger rail on its mountain lines.
Union Pacific lines already serve the California Zephyr and Winter Park ski trains, but there is capacity for more passenger service, including from Denver to Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Craig.
"We have an unusual confluence of favorable conditions in place right now," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "This is a rare opportunity for us to get significant funding for a project that we know is very doable."
The passenger rail service would likely coordinate with and complement bus service in the mountains, including CDOT's Bustang system. The next steps would include stakeholder input with communities along the route, counties, recreation industry partners and Union Pacific, CDOT said in a press release.
Independently, CDOT is working with the Front Range Passenger Rail District on planning for Front Range Passenger Rail, which would provide complementary service from Pueblo, through Denver, to Fort Collins and ultimately to Wyoming and New Mexico.
“This is exciting news for northwest Colorado!” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, whose district includes Steamboat Springs. “We’ve been working hard to develop this critical rail option, and now we’re one step closer to making it a reality. Transitioning the existing rail line to passenger rail would lower the cost of living in our communities, create new job opportunities, connect people with more affordable housing options and grow our economy. I’m thrilled the Colorado Transportation Commission has approved our request to create a service development plan for this route.”
“Convenient passenger rail would be amazing!” Gov. Polis said. “A just transition for communities moving away from coal production, cutting traffic and reducing pollution are some of my administration’s top priorities. Expanding passenger rail service to the Yampa Valley can help on all these objectives.
“Funding for a service development plan for northwest mountain rail is a critical step toward making this passenger rail expansion a reality. Passenger rail can create jobs and boost our mountain communities in the Yampa Valley.”
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