Passenger trains may not reach Colorado Springs for several years, but the Front Range Passenger Rail District is keeping the city updated on the project’s progress and benefits.
On Monday, the Rail District briefed the Colorado Springs City Council on plans to link the city to the Interstate 25 corridor. Interim General Manager Chrissy Breit said they aim to launch a proof-of-concept route between Denver and Fort Collins by 2029. This starter route would gradually increase service frequency and eventually extend south to Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
Breit told the council the line could run up to 10 trains daily, each carrying up to 470 passengers. The trip between downtown Colorado Springs and downtown Denver is expected to take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. While not the fastest option, Breit noted that as Colorado Springs grows, traffic congestion on I-25 will worsen, making the train a valuable alternative.
“In 20 years, that travel time will probably feel really good. Even today, during weather events or crashes, it can be comparable,” she said.
The proposed Colorado Springs station would be near America the Beautiful Park, with a possible secondary stop in the north part of the city if demand grows.
Councilmember Dave Donelson raised concerns about the trains’ financial sustainability, noting that many U.S. public rail services rely heavily on government subsidies. He pointed out that rail systems tend to be more successful in densely populated areas like Europe.
Nancy Burke, communications director for the Rail District, explained the initial route heads north due to more local governments and existing tracks. She added that this segment could proceed partly without a ballot measure planned for voters in 2026.
Two recent state bills will begin collecting fees this year to support the Front Range Passenger Rail, including a congestion fee on rental cars and a tax on oil and gas production.
Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson, who has represented the district locally for a year, expressed optimism about the project and thanked the Rail District for “being visionary in the Wild West here.”
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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