Colorado's Front Range Passenger Rail Dubbed 'CoCo'

The new rail service will connect 13 communities from Pueblo to Fort Collins.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A serene, painterly scene of a train station platform with a single bench under the warm glow of the sun, conceptually representing the nostalgic yet forward-looking spirit of Colorado's new passenger rail system.The new 'Colorado Connector' rail service aims to bring communities together and provide a more sustainable transportation option for the Front Range region.Denver Today

Colorado's Front Range Passenger Rail service will officially be called the Colorado Connector, or 'CoCo' for short, following a public vote that saw nearly 26,000 Coloradans participate. The name was announced by Governor Jared Polis, who said the 'Colorado Connector' reflects the train's purpose of bringing communities together and providing a faster, cleaner, and more convenient way to travel across the state.

Why it matters

The Front Range Passenger Rail project has been in development for years, aiming to connect major population centers along Colorado's Front Range corridor. The public naming process engaged residents and built anticipation for the new rail service, which is seen as an important step in improving transportation options and reducing reliance on cars in the rapidly growing region.

The details

CoCo received 9,502 votes, or 36.8% of the total votes cast, beating out other finalist names like Colorado Ranger, Front Range Express Destinations, and RangeLink. The new rail service will connect 13 Front Range communities from Pueblo to Fort Collins.

  • The public vote to name the rail service took place in April 2026.
  • The Colorado Connector, or 'CoCo', was announced as the winning name on April 6, 2026.

The players

Jared Polis

The Governor of Colorado, who announced the winning name and praised the public participation in the naming process.

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What they’re saying

“'The Colorado Connector reflects exactly what this train is about: bringing communities together and creating a faster, cleaner and more convenient way to travel across our state.'”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado

What’s next

The Colorado Connector rail service is expected to begin operations in 2028, connecting major cities along the Front Range corridor.

The takeaway

The public naming process for Colorado's new Front Range Passenger Rail service, dubbed 'CoCo', demonstrates the excitement and community engagement around this important transportation project that will improve connectivity and sustainability across the rapidly growing region.