Efforts are chugging along that may re-establish passenger rail service across the Yampa Valley and expand Bustang and other services in the future.
Passenger rail service from Denver through Steamboat Springs and onto Craig could be re-established thanks to a $5 million investment that will study the rail line, as well as statewide transit connectivity, such as the Bustang system on Interstate 70 and how it can grow in the future.
Local communities in the Yampa Valley have brought attention to the potential of re-establishing the passenger rail, specifically along the 191-mile Union Pacific Railroad route from Denver to Winter Park and Steamboat Springs, ending in Craig.
Passenger rail service along this route ended in 1968.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, policymakers often aim for what is called a “just transition” — or a plan that takes into account the economic and environmental concerns of the affected communities — as certain communities move from high carbon-producing industries to more sustainable practices.
The agency says a just transition has been a priority for Gov. Jared Polis’ administration, and maintaining freight and passenger rail connectivity is a priority for the Yampa Valley as the area transitions away from coal.
The service development plan, for which CDOT has approved funding, will provide data and suggest service options for this corridor.
“Convenient passenger rail would be amazing,” Gov. Polis said in a statement. “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.”
CDOT says the vision for mountain rail, which the state transportation agency has been working on for months, became a real possibility because of recent developments that include dramatically decreased coal train traffic on Union Pacific rail lines, leaving Union Pacific open to the possibility of hosting more passenger rail on its mountain lines.
Union Pacific already operates the California Zephyr and Winter Park ski trains, but CDOT says 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 own Bustang system.
“There is a lot of support for this plan,” said Rick Ridder, transportation commissioner for District 6, which includes Clear Creek, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Routt counties. “This is the first step of many steps, but examining the feasibility of such a project is moving forward.”
“This is exciting news for northwest Colorado,” said state Rep. Meghan Lukens, whose district includes Steamboat Springs and Craig. “We’ve been working hard to develop this critical rail option, and now we’re one step closer to making it a reality.”
Lukens added that using the existing rail line to move passengers could lower the cost of living in the area, create new job opportunities, connect people with more affordable housing options and grow the economy.
“I’m thrilled the Colorado Transportation Commission has approved our request to create a service development plan for this route,” she said.
The next steps would include stakeholder input with communities along the route, counties, recreation industry partners and Union Pacific.
CDOT is also working independently 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.