COLORADO – The Colorado Mountain Rail project aims to develop a passenger rail line connecting a series of mountain towns to the urban centers and recreational locations throughout the state.
Announced back in 2023, the project would take advantage of existing rail lines that currently run from Denver to Craig, a town in far northwest Colorado. Initial funding to develop a service plan was approved by the Colorado Transportation Commission back in October of last year.
While station sites are still being considered, the line would run through Winter Park, Granby, Kremmling, Yampa, Steamboat Springs, and eventually reach Craig. Community feedback is being sought out by the Mountain Rail Program team, both through public open house events and online surveys.
If you live in Colorado and want to share your opinion on the mountain rail, the online survey is available here. While the first open house was held last night, September 10, in Craig, two more will be held throughout the week across the state. Those open house events are as follows:
- Sept. 11, 2024
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: East Grand Middle School
251 W. Diamond Ave.
Granby, CO 80446 - Sept. 12, 2024
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Oberon Middle School
7300 Quail St.
Arvada, CO 80005
While not yet a complete and guaranteed project, the potential for a passenger mountain rail system is hard to ignore. Travel to the tourist and recreation sights along the rail are presently hard to access given their location in the mountains. A rail line could improve access while promoting economic development in areas served by the rail line.
