Colorado Freight and Passenger Rail Plan

Colorado Rail Plan Overview

The 2024 Colorado Freight and Passenger Rail Plan is the most recent comprehensive plan to address freight and passenger rail transportation across the state. The Colorado Freight and Passenger Rail Plan was officially adopted by the Transportation Commission on Feb. 15, 2024 It fulfills the requirements of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008, and is an element of the Statewide Transportation Plan.

This plan continues the work and priorities established in the 2018 Colorado Freight and Passenger Rail Plan and is consistent with plan guidance issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The Plan also helps CDOT and our planning partners better understand the complexities of the rail systems that Colorado businesses, residents and visitors rely on.

2024 Plan & Appendices Topics

  • Chapter 1 – The Role of Rail in Statewide Transportation
  • Chapter 2 – Colorado’s Existing Rail Systems
  • Chapter 3 – Proposed Passenger Rail Improvements and Investments
  • Chapter 4 – Proposed Freight Rail Improvements and Investments
  • Chapter 5 – Colorado’s Rail Service and Investment Program
  • Chapter 6 – Coordination and Review
  • Appendices: Colorado Transportation Commission Adoption of State Rail Plan, Public Survey Results, Glossary of Common Terms and Acronyms, Freight Railroad Carrier Profiles

CDOT would like to acknowledge the effort, energy, and engagement of our partners who helped make the 2024 Colorado Freight and Passenger Rail Plan possible. Members representing these organizations provided critical guidance, advice, insight, information and vision throughout this plan development effort:

  • BNSF Railway
  • Union Pacific Railroad
  • Regional Transportation District
  • Amtrak
  • Colorado Public Utilities Commission
  • Denver Regional Council of Governments
  • North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
  • Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
  • Pueblo Area Council of Governments
  • Colorado Freight Advisory Committee
  • Statewide Transportation Advisory Committee
  • Transit and Rail Advisory Committee
  • I-70 Coalition
  • Colorado Rail Passenger Association (ColoRail)