Passenger Rail at CDOT
Our Services
The Passenger Rail Branch exists to develop and implement plans for passenger rail across the state. We accomplish this by developing reports to inventory railroad infrastructure, investigating opportunities for rail service expansion, identifying potential railroad abandonments and strategizing to protect them, and providing technical expertise on statewide railroad safety.
For more information on our services:
Our Vision
Our vision is to foster a robust and safe passenger and freight rail network that is an integral element of Colorado’s multimodal transportation system and supports access to sustainable mobility for all people, goods, and services.
Joint Service
Joint Service is a collaborative effort between several agencies to bring rail service to the Northwest Metro region. The main partners in this initiative include the Regional Transportation District (RTD), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO), and the Front Range Passenger Rail District (FRPRD).
Colorado's General Assembly passed Senate Bill 24-184 (SB184), which authorized RTD, CDOT, CTIO, and FRPRD to develop an implementation plan for using their respective authorities to deliver, construct, and operate passenger rail service from Denver Union Station to Fort Collins, Colorado, as the first phase of front range passenger rail service. In addition to RTD’s existing revenue sources that may be utilized toward Joint Service, there are other new potential funding sources that can be leveraged. SB184 created a congestion impact daily rental car fee that may be used by CTIO for transportation infrastructure projects. Senate Bill 24-230 (SB230) authorizes the Clean Transit Enterprise (CTE) to impose an oil and gas production fee that may be used to fund clean transit options in Colorado.
On June 24, 2025, RTD's Board of Directors authorized the agency's General Manager and CEO to execute an Intergovernmental Agreement for the Joint Service Executive Committee Oversight. The Joint Service Executive Oversight Committee (JSEOC) continues to meet monthly to foster communication among the partner entities and to support project environmental, permitting, and construction readiness.
JSEOC partners hosted a webinar on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to announce the details of a negotiated term sheet between the partners and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway that serves as a framework defining how passenger rail service from Denver to Fort Collins will operate on freight-owned tracks.
This term sheet is the first step in establishing service through a future access agreement.
For more information on the Joint Service Executive Oversight Committee's past and future meetings, please refer to the RTD meeting schedule.
Mountain Rail
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is exploring a new initiative to enhance transportation options in the central Rocky Mountains. The plan involves developing a network of passenger rail lines that connect the mountain towns and regions with urban centers and recreational locations. This project aims to use existing rail infrastructure to meet the growing demand for passenger rail service.
Project Area
The Mountain Rail route will use the existing rail line that extends from Denver to Craig. The specific station locations along the new route are still under consideration. CDOT is currently evaluating multiple factors to identify the most suitable sites for these stations. As a part of this ongoing study, community feedback is crucial in shaping the final decisions. This input will be integrated with engineering requirements and design constraints to ensure the selected station locations meet both practical and community needs.
About the Mountain Rail Program
Launched in 2023, the Mountain Rail Program is a part of CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail’s Passenger Rail Branch. This small but dedicated team is focused on bringing passenger rail service to both the Front Range and the mountain regions of Colorado. The program was established in response to requests from state legislators and communities like Steamboat Springs and Winter Park. A shift in the rail industry, with declining coal traffic, has opened opportunities to repurpose rail corridors for passenger use.
In October 2023, the Colorado Transportation Commission approved initial funding to develop a service plan for this vision.
Project Goals
Given the popularity of travel in the mountains and challenging geographical conditions, it is critical to provide reliable transportation alternatives to create better connectivity to mountain towns, recreational opportunities, and transitional communities. The Mountain Rail project would provide alternative transportation options for visitors who want to experience mountain towns but who do not want to drive. Additionally, it would promote economic development, as housing, hotels, and retail establishments become attracted to areas served by rail.
