Mountain Rail Frequently Asked Questions

Mountain Rail presents an opportunity to achieve several critical goals for the state of Colorado:

• It would reduce congestion on our public highways and mountain passes, providing a safer travel alternative to some of our most visited areas.
• It would save Coloradans money. Mountain Rail would provide a transportation solution for many communities struggling with the high cost of living and workforce challenges.
• It would enhance and increase transportation options to and from mountain communities.
• It would provide connections between other modes of transportation such as Bustang, local transit routes and bicycle and pedestrian routes.
• It would support the state’s vision of building more housing connected to transit and rail opportunities, supporting greenhouse gas reduction targets needed to achieve our climate goals.
• It would provide Colorado with a unique tourism experience—a beautiful train ride that would allow visitors options for arriving at their destination without a car.
• It would support the state’s commitment for a “just transition” for the coal-impacted communities of Craig and Hayden.

• In addition to helping alleviate congestion on I-70 and spurring new business and housing development, Mountain Rail would connect multiple major ski resorts and appeal to tourists who do not want to rent a car to take advantage of Colorado’s world-class skiing. It would also draw tourists in the summer who want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, which draws over 4 million visitors annually, as well as those who want to visit hot springs or attend one of the region’s music and food festivals—without having to drive.
• The ride itself would be a tourist attraction, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado. The train service also would offer another travel option for people who live in Hayden or Craig but work in Steamboat Springs, and it would allow residents of the Yampa Valley to travel to Denver for educational, health care and cultural opportunities without using a car.

The Mountain Rail Service Development Plan will define the route, service characteristics, infrastructure and facility requirements—the types of trains and fleet size, ridership demand, capital costs, operating costs and funding strategies for the proposed Mountain Rail service. The Mountain Rail Service Development Plan is currently being completed. An interim report will be delivered to the Colorado State Legislature by the end of 2024.

The Mountain Rail route would go from Denver through the Front Range, using the existing Union Pacific Railroad corridor, cross the Continental Divide and at Bond, turn north—heading to Steamboat Springs and finally to Craig—with planned station stops along the way. The Service Development Plan is currently studying the service options, which will determine the travel time between each station on the route.

• Expanded service from Denver to Winter Park is expected to begin as early as 2025. Meanwhile, CDOT’s Service Development Plan will determine the timetable to build out a more extensive service. As with all large and complex infrastructure projects, the expectation should be that service will be phased in the most cost-efficient manner. We envision regular service from Denver to Grand County, then a full build-out would run from Denver to Granby, Steamboat Springs and onward to Hayden and Craig, connecting the entire transportation system for the region. Future phases could include local service from Craig and Hayden into Steamboat through local, state and federal partnerships and cost-sharing arrangements.
• Fare costs for passengers will be determined through the Service Development Plan and potential phasing of service options and will likely be distance-based.

The Service Development Plan will determine station locations. Factors such as existing stations, the potential for building a new station, geographical considerations, technical considerations on the track alignments, costs and environmental challenges would determine where stations would be.

Mountain Rail would be funded through a variety of existing sources, including the Congestion Impact Fee on rental cars enacted through SB24-184—a new stream of money approved in the 2024 legislative session that can only be used for rail projects. No funding from road projects will be diverted to this project. The state may also seek federal grants to pay for Mountain Rail. Finally, fares would also help pay for the cost of running the train service. Local and regional contributions can support more extensive additions more quickly.

Rail stations can be used effectively to attract more affordable housing and walkable areas close to the rail service, which allows people to drive their cars less and use the train for some trips. Local government will likely conduct planning processes around these stations to determine land use mix.

Passenger trains are quieter and faster than freight trains, so they do not produce as much noise and do not block highway-rail crossings for as long of a time as freight trains. Mountain Rail will introduce a new way to move between communities and will connect people to employment, educational and medical opportunities with a congestion-proof, weather-resistant reliable and safe service.

• The next step in the process, after the successful completion of the Service Delivery Plan, are Preliminary Engineering and environmental studies required to move the project toward construction and revenue service.
• More information can be found on the project website, where members of the public can also provide comments or ask questions of the project team.