Denver-to-Fort Collins rail line gains momentum with new 25-year plan

A long-planned passenger rail line between Denver and Fort Collins has moved a step closer to reality. Several state and regional transport boards have now approved an agreement to push the project forward. The deal sets out a 25-year plan for access and allows work to begin on detailed designs. The project brings together six public partners, including the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Regional Transportation District. Their collaboration aims to create a direct rail link connecting Northern Colorado communities to key employment and transit centres.

Under the agreement, the service will run three daily round trips between Denver and Fort Collins using BNSF Railway tracks. The estimated cost of the project is around $330 million, covering track upgrades, safety improvements, and other essential infrastructure. Officials note that this figure is roughly half the amount suggested in earlier studies—and no new taxes will fund it.

By June, the partners plan to finalise a formal access agreement with BNSF. After that, design work will focus on station locations, timetables, and service specifics. If all goes as scheduled, passenger trains could start operating as early as January 2029. The approved agreement removes a major hurdle for the rail line’s development. With the design phase now underway, the next critical step is securing a final access deal with BNSF. Once complete, the service aims to provide a reliable connection between Denver and Fort Collins within the next five years.