“All Aboard!” Governor, Local Leaders Take First Denver-Longmont Passenger Train Ride
Last week, Governor Jared Polis, CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew, and a host of municipal, state and business leaders from around the Denver Metro Area hopped aboard an Amtrak train for a demonstration ride from Denver’s Union Station to Longmont. Among the dignitaries on board were Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett, RTD Board Member Lynn Guissinger, and our very own Boulder Chamber President and CEO John Tayer.
Governor Jared Polis addressing guests at Union Station, March 7, 2024
As described in The Denver Post, the ceremonial train trip marked Governor Polis’ commitment to making intercity rail service between Denver and Fort Collins a reality within the next three years. The big push to realize the first phase of Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) intercity rail service is predicated on a historic and time-limited opportunity to take advantage of multiple sources of funding that were not previously available. CDOT, RTD and the Front Range Passenger Rail District describe the funding sources and rationale for the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail Northwest Phase 1 project in a white paper published last month.
RTD Director Lynn Guissinger, left, with Boulder Chamber President and CEO John Tayer, right, on the train.
Securing stable funding for FRPR and the Northwest Phase 1 project will require state funding, in addition to federal dollars. The new proposed partnerships will also leverage tax dollars voters have already been paying for the past 20 years as part of the RTD FasTracks project.
“If they’re going to build it, there’s no question that we want to make sure [Boulder is] on that line, because in a hundred years, if it doesn’t get built, somebody’s going to say, why is Boulder such an outlier community?” said Tayer. “This rail line is really important to our long-term future.”
How will you take the train?
The Front Range Passenger Rail District is planning for improved travel along the Front Range, and they want to hear from you! If you’re interesting in traveling by train, please complete the 5-minute questionnaire. Feedback will help the District build a train service that meets the needs of future riders. Haven’t heard about the train? Watch their video for the inside scoop.
