Fort Collins-Denver Train Service Could Start in 2029, Decades Earlier Than Previous Plans
A passenger train linking Fort Collins to Denver could begin operating in January 2029, potentially shaving 16 years off previous projections that estimated service would not start until 2045, state officials told Larimer County commissioners October 28.
The accelerated timeline represents a major shift for a transit project Northern Colorado residents have awaited since the early 2000s. The Regional Transportation District, working alone, could not have started service before 2045 due to funding constraints and slower-than-expected sales tax revenue growth, according to RTD technical reports.
"Joint Service is a starter service meant to be built upon by the Front Range Passenger rail district," Brandon Schaeffer, a state transportation official, told commissioners during their administrative matters meeting. "This is paid through existing revenues to the state, mostly through the fee structure."
The starter service would provide three daily round trips between Denver Union Station and Fort Collins, with stops in Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Longmont and Loveland. The trains would run both morning and evening in both directions.
State Legislation Enables Faster Launch
Two state laws passed in 2024 created dedicated funding streams that eliminated the need for a ballot measure to launch initial service. Senate Bill 184 established a $3 per day fee on rental cars in Colorado, generating an estimated $30 million to $35 million annually. Senate Bill 230 created an oil and gas production fee contributing approximately $26 million to $29 million per year.
The Regional Transportation District will contribute at least $20 million annually from its existing FasTracks sales tax, which voters approved in 2004.
These three revenue sources are projected to provide $3.5 billion to $4 billion over 25 years for the starter service, according to state budget projections. RTD's Northwest Rail plan, developed independently, would have relied solely on the agency's 0.4 percent sales tax within the metro Denver district.
"No new taxes are needed to commence service, which is a really big selling point and a really big leverage point as well," Schaeffer said.
State Senator Katie Wallace, who represents Fort Collins and Loveland, emphasized the rapid progress since voters approved creation of the Front Range Passenger Rail District in 2021.
"Colorado is here taking bold steps to make sure that we're bringing all of the players together to get folks one, something that they've already been funding and two, something that will be critical to our infrastructure and us moving forward as a state," Wallace said.
Full Buildout Still Requires Voter Approval
The Front Range Passenger Rail District plans to eventually offer 10 daily round trips between Denver and Fort Collins, but that full buildout would require voter approval of additional funding and remains years away.
The district has not yet set a timeline for asking voters to approve expanded service or the tax increase that would fund it. Previous planning documents estimated full service would not begin until after 2034 at the earliest.
Commissioner Kristen Stevens, who serves on regional transportation planning boards, said she tells residents the project now has both a plan and financial backing.
"When people say to me now, well, I don't know, I've been hearing about that for decades, I always say we have a plan, we have a financial plan, it's going to happen and people are really excited about it here," Stevens said.
State Negotiating Railroad Access Agreement
Colorado, RTD and Front Range Passenger Rail are negotiating an access agreement with BNSF Railway to secure permission for passenger trains to operate on the freight railroad's tracks. Officials aim to complete the agreement by the end of 2025 or early 2026.
The agreement must address train scheduling, dispatching priorities, liability coverage and infrastructure improvements. BNSF typically requires $300 million in annual liability coverage for passenger operations on its tracks.
Colorado's constitution prohibits the state from indemnifying private parties against third-party liability, creating a significant legal barrier. Amtrak, as a federal entity backed by Congress, can provide the required indemnification, making the national passenger railroad the likely operator for the service.
"The railroads really look for about $300 million every year in insurance coverage," Schaeffer said. "That's a lot of money. But they are federally backed by Congress for that."
No final operator selection has been made, but procurement decisions are expected by mid-2026.
Infrastructure Work Already Funded
The federal government awarded a $66 million grant in October 2024 for track, safety and bridge upgrades in Larimer and Boulder counties. Colorado will provide a $27 million match for that work, which will improve grade crossings and install Positive Train Control safety systems.
Total infrastructure costs for the starter service are estimated at $800 million to $900 million through 2029. Work includes station improvements in Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Broomfield and Westminster, along with track upgrades, bridge reinforcements and rail car purchases.
State officials said they are evaluating rail car options that meet federal Buy America requirements and use clean technology to minimize air pollution along the Front Range. Several manufacturers, including Siemens, are being considered.
Northern Colorado Representation on Planning Boards
Fort Collins City Council member Trishna Canonico and Loveland Mayor Pro Tem John Mallow serve on the Front Range Passenger Rail Board, representing Northern Colorado perspectives in planning decisions.
Commissioner Stevens represents Larimer County on the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates transportation planning across the region. Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally asked about local representation during the presentation.
"We're very fortunate. I know Commissioner Stevens is our representative on MPO," Shadduck-McNally said. "There's a lot of changes, certainly a lot of information and thank you for sending these slides."
Timeline Depends on Meeting Multiple Deadlines
State agencies must complete several steps before January 2029 service can begin. CDOT needs final service development plan approval by the third quarter of 2026. RTD must approve intergovernmental agreements and funding allocations by mid-2026.
Local governments in Larimer, Weld and other counties along the route must approve station locations, environmental permits and right-of-way agreements by late 2027.
Track upgrades, station construction and rail car procurement must be completed by late 2028 to allow testing and crew training before passenger service begins.
The project benefits from Colorado's designation as a federally recognized corridor in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Corridor Identification Program, which provides access to additional federal grants and technical assistance.
Additional information about Front Range Passenger Rail is available at codot.gov.