Colorado Reaches $333M Deal to Bring Passenger Rail to Front Range

State clears major hurdle to connect Denver, Northern Colorado by train after over 20 years of planning.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:53pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, Art Deco-inspired illustration depicting the grand scale of a passenger rail system, with towering architectural forms and smooth, geometric gradients conveying a sense of movement and progress.Colorado's ambitious plan to connect Denver and Northern Colorado by rail takes a major step forward with a landmark $333 million deal.Denver Today

After more than two decades of waiting, Colorado has reached a tentative $333 million agreement with BNSF Railway to bring passenger rail service between Denver and Northern Colorado cities like Fort Collins, Loveland, and Boulder. The deal would allow for three daily round trips along the Front Range, with riders connecting from RTD's existing B Line in Westminster.

Why it matters

Passenger rail service has been a long-sought transportation option for the rapidly growing Front Range corridor, which has faced increasing traffic congestion. This initial phase could pave the way for a larger Front Range Passenger Rail network connecting major cities from Pueblo to Fort Collins.

The details

The $333 million one-time payment to BNSF would be about half of the originally projected cost, allowing for the new rail service to run three daily round trips from Denver's Union Station up to Fort Collins, with stops in Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Boulder, and Loveland. Annual operating costs are estimated at $30 million, to be funded through RTD's FasTracks savings, a rental car fee, and an oil and gas production levy.

  • Colorado voters approved passenger rail service between Denver and Northern Colorado in 2004.
  • After over 22 years, Colorado has now reached a tentative agreement with BNSF Railway to move forward with the project.
  • The goal is for governing boards to pass resolutions by the end of April 2026.
  • If approved, officials hope to break ground on the project as early as next year.

The players

BNSF Railway

A major freight railroad company that has reached a tentative $333 million agreement with Colorado to allow passenger rail service along its tracks.

RTD

The Regional Transportation District, which operates public transportation in the Denver metro area and would connect its existing B Line to the new Front Range passenger rail service.

CDOT

The Colorado Department of Transportation, one of the governing bodies involved in approving the passenger rail project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

All the governing boards involved, including RTD, CDOT and the Governor's office, still need to sign off on the agreement, with the goal of passing resolutions by the end of April 2026. If approved, officials hope to break ground on the project as early as next year.

The takeaway

After over two decades of planning, Colorado has cleared a major hurdle to bring long-awaited passenger rail service to the rapidly growing Front Range corridor, connecting Denver to Northern Colorado cities. This initial phase could lay the groundwork for a larger regional rail network in the future.