CDOT outlines Denver–Craig passenger-rail plan; county asked to join station-area planning

Colorado Department of Transportation senior rail planner Cody Hedges told the Board of County Commissioners on March 25 that CDOT is preparing a service development plan (SDP) to study passenger rail service between Denver and Craig and asked the county to support participation in station‑area planning for municipalities along that corridor.

Hedges said CDOT envisions a phased approach that first expands a Denver–Granby short pattern — an extension of the Winter Park Express used as a model — then studies longer segments to the northwest. The short pattern relies on existing passenger-grade track between Denver and Granby and therefore presents lower initial infrastructure needs, Hedges said. Longer expansions north of Bond will require more substantial infrastructure work, including positive‑train‑control equipment and targeted rockfall and tunnel work in constrained canyon segments.

The agency also presented station candidates within Grand County: the existing Frasier–Winter Park, Granby and a proposed head‑track/layover area near Granby for initial operations; and possible municipal station locations at Kremmling and Hot Sulphur Springs in later phases. Hedges said the municipalities have already passed or plan to pass resolutions supporting the study; CDOT asked the county to commit to joining and participating in municipal station‑area planning so county utilities, access and land‑use concerns can be coordinated.

Funding: Hedges noted potential state funding sources (a new congestion/rental‑car impact fee under House Bill 184 and other state transit/energy grants), and federal rail and discretionary grants (for example, BUILD-type programs) as possibilities to fund infrastructure and safety investments. He said CDOT included East‑West tunnel rockfall and hazardous‑material mitigation items in a recent federal grant application and is continuing lease and operational discussions with Union Pacific concerning the Moffat Tunnel corridor.

Commissioners asked about operating priorities between passenger trains and freight service, fare levels and parking strategy at potential West‑Metro stations; Hedges said state‑supported services typically include performance incentives in agreements with railroads and that CDOT expects fares to be capped at modest, broadly affordable levels similar to the Winter Park Express expansion this season. He said design for the West‑Metro/Arvada area will require a separate location study.

Action requested: CDOT asked the board to authorize county involvement in station‑area planning for the county’s municipalities. Commissioners asked county staff and the attorney to review a draft county resolution before final action; Hedges agreed to brief the board again when the draft is ready.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to review the draft resolution and allowed CDOT to continue work on the SDP while county staff coordinate review of operational and budget implications.