The plan for a passenger train that would run along Colorado’s Front Range was announced four years ago, but it’s been getting a lot of attention this week after Rep. Lauren Boebert called for DOGE to get rid of federal funding for the project.
The argument of Boebert, a Republican who represents the state’s 4th Congressional District, is the nation is in debt and can’t afford to spend on projects that won’t benefit most Coloradans.
But Chrissy Breit, the Interim General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, says the project is chugging along nicely.
“We spent the past two years working on a service development plan,” said Breit.
The aim is to build and operate a passenger rail line using existing tracks along the Front Range. It would start with service between Denver and Fort Collins and eventually providing daily round trips from the New Mexico to Wyoming borders with stops in some of Colorado’s largest cities along the way.
It’s a plan that they think if done correctly will really pay off for Coloradans.
“As I-25 becomes more congested, as it’s harder and harder to get around as we age, as we need to travel to new places. We need a reliable of a way to get around,” said Breit.
But seeing a train on the tracks is still a distant reality. The goal is to begin service in 2029, four years from now.
And while something like this can come with a hefty price tag, the district is seeking funding from a variety of sources to foot the bill. That includes federal funding and state funding.
“In the last year, legislature created two new revenues that can be used for passenger rail,” said Breit.
And the district plans to ask voters next year to approve a sales tax increase in the 13 counties the rail would serve to raise funds.
But they say no matter where they end up getting their funding, they are working to get the most bang for their buck.
“We’re looking at a cost effective project looking at leveraging opportunities,” said Breit.
