Front Range Passenger Rail Update

Part three of a three-part series covering RTD regarding TABOR's Impact, RTD Northwest Rail and Front Range Passenger Rail, with an update on key state legislation.

Commuting Solutions, a Louisville-based organization dedicated to finding innovative transportation options, held a membership meeting on April 24, providing a comprehensive update on the CO 119 Safety, Mobility, and Bikeway from Longmont to Boulder. Representatives from the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) Chrissy Breit, Chief of Staff, and Duane Sayers, Planning and Operations Direction with FRPR, provided a high-level overview of what has been completed, what is happening now, and what is ahead for the FRPR.

The completed rail service is proposed to connect communities along the Front Range, running from Fort Collins in the north to Pueblo in the south, with stops in cities such as Longmont, Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs, ultimately connecting Colorado to New Mexico and Wyoming.

The project aims to provide an alternative mode of transportation to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and improve connectivity in the region. This rail service would use the existing BNSF Front Range rail network through Boulder, Longmont, Loveland and Fort Collins (FRPR Northwest Phase 1), promising a more efficient and sustainable future for Colorado's transportation. This exciting development could significantly improve the Front Range transportation system, offering communities faster and more efficient travel options.

The Front Range Passenger Rail has the potential to complete the 2004 FasTracks ballot initiative campaign that proposed rail service from Union Station in Denver to Boulder and Longmont, but stalled due to a lack of funding and increasing costs. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) News stated that a white paper was released exploring the possibility of a new partnership consisting of Governor Jared Polis' administration, the Regional Transportation District (RTD), and the Front Range Passenger Rail District.

Lisa Kaufmann, Senior Strategic Advisor to Governor Polis, wrote, "Unfinished NW Rail has vexed many leaders for decades. For 20 years, voters have been paying for rail service that they have not received and will continue not to receive if we hold on to the past, don't seize the opportunities we have today, and look to our future needs. I am hopeful this white paper represents a new era of collaboration and creative problem-solving to address the unfulfilled commitment to the voters and deliver an important transit solution to our fast-growing northern communities. With the once-in-a-generation federal investment in intercity passenger rail, now is the time for bold leadership."

FRPR believes the growing population along the Front Range creates complex infrastructure and environmental challenges, contributing to traffic congestion, unpredictable travel times and harming Colorado's natural environment, quality of life, and visitor and recreational economy.

Much has transpired to reach the current status of the FRPR concept. In 2010, Rocky Mountain Rail Authority completed a feasibility study for high-speed passenger rail along the I-25 and I-70 corridors, and in 2012, CDOT completed the first State Freight and Passenger Rail Plan and interregional connectivity study to evaluate high-speed rail in the Front Range corridor. With support from the Colorado State legislature in 2017, CDOT updated the State Freight and Passenger Rail to include FRPR and declared a statewide transit focus area with identified corridors and phasing. This was followed by the Colorado State Legislature establishing the Front Range Passenger Rail District to finance, operate, and maintain passenger rail along the Front Range.

The next steps include the FRPR working with CDOT to develop a Service Development Plan (SDP) for the Federal Railroad Administration. Completing the SDP is a key step for receiving federal funding. The SDP will determine train routes, stops, and frequency, as well as infrastructure upgrades, services and amenities, transit connections, implementation timelines, and finance and governance.

Part of the finance piece will include ballot development for a new and sustainable funding source to construct, operate and maintain the rail service. Over the next few years, the FRPR anticipates putting a measure on the ballot for a new sales and use tax (up to 0.8%). Governor Polis is pushing for a ballot initiative this coming fall, 2024, to fund the FRPR to construct the rail. A recent April 2024 survey of Colorado residents found that 85% support the FRPR project, with 61% supporting a tax increase. With such widespread support, we might soon hear the call of "all aboard!"