The vision of passenger rail connecting Denver, Boulder, Longmont and beyond gained momentum at last week’s forum, “Mission: Possible, Build Northwest Rail,” hosted by Longmont Mayor Joan Peck and RTD District I Director Karen Benker at the Longmont Museum. The special panel discussion brought together a coalition of elected leaders, staff from Governor Polis’ office, the Boulder and Longmont Chambers, and community advocates, all focused on making the RTD B Line, Northwest Rail, a reality by 2029 through collaboration with the Front Range Passenger Rail District and other partners.
The Boulder Chamber’s Senior Director of Policy Programs, Jonathan Singer, articulated the potential of the project while speaking on the panel: “Just like the Olympics brought rail to LA and Salt Lake, the arrival of the Sundance Film Festival is our Olympic moment.” Major events can accelerate transit infrastructure that might otherwise languish in planning phases for decades.
Boulder’s role as the new home of Sundance is helping to create the urgency and opportunity needed to move Northwest Rail from planning to construction. But this project represents much more than transportation infrastructure. Regional rail will catalyze economic growth, connecting workers commuting between Boulder County and Denver, while giving Denver residents easier access to Boulder’s tech sector, educational opportunities, and outdoor recreation. The climate benefits will be equally significant, since shifting some Front Range commuters from cars to rail will help reduce Colorado’s carbon footprint as the state pursues ambitious climate goals.
The Mission: Possible forum participants also emphasized equity, ensuring rail serves all residents with affordable fares, connections to underserved communities, and integration with local transit systems. With Governor Polis prioritizing infrastructure and a recent intergovernmental agreement clearing the way for broad cooperation, the political momentum for Northwest Rail has never been stronger.
Rail by 2029 is on track, with local demand, traffic that demands solutions, political leadership, business support, and now a catalytic event in the Sundance Film Festival. Boulder’s Olympic moment is here.