Agenda Date: 02/17/2026
Subject:
Title
Front Range Passenger Rail update
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager |
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Presentations: |
Kenna Davis, Transportation Planner Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager |
PURPOSE:
Staff will provide a brief overview of the Front Range Passenger Rail District and local station planning in preparation for future council discussion scheduled for March 3, 2026.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty
Robust and Resilient Economy
DISCUSSION:
Initially offering service from Fort Collins to Denver Union Station, then Denver Union Station south to Colorado Springs with service south to Pueblo planned in a future expansion, the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) intercity train service has the long-term vision of connecting Colorado to New Mexico and Wyoming.
FRPR anticipates using existing tracks shared with freight railroads to minimize costs and accelerate the service start date which is anticipated over the next 15-20 years. The district is exploring a potential ballot question in November 2026.
Littleton is anticipated as the first station south of Denver Union Station along the Front Range Passenger Rail alignment. As the city is home to two stations, staff will provide an analysis and comparison of stations for council’s consideration on March 3, 2026. The district is seeking direction from the city for its preference of Downtown or Mineral station.
As part of the March 3, 2026, council discussion, staff expects FRPR to provide more detail on the framework of an anticipated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will be requested between each jurisdiction along the alignment and the district. FRPR will also hopefully provide more information regarding overall financial obligations for jurisdictions as well an update regarding ballot readiness for the 2026 election.
FRPR’s proposed timeline as understood by staff includes:
• March - Littleton preferred station identified
• Spring - FRPR conducting polling and ballot readiness assessment
• June - MOU between local jurisdictions and FRPR finalized
BACKGROUND:
The Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) District is a new taxing district created by the Colorado Legislature to study, design, operate, and maintain a new passenger rail line that stretches from Pueblo to Fort Collins, and will include Wyoming and New Mexico in the future. FRPR works with a wide variety of stakeholders, from CDOT to RTD to the general public to local governments all along the Front Range.
Senate Bill 21-238 created the FRPR District for the purpose of constructing and operating a passenger rail system along the Front Range. The FRPR District began July 1, 2022.
Prior Actions or Discussions
The Front Range Passenger Rail District provided an overview of the district and local station planning on December 10, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACTS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this update.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
This is an update with no staff recommendation.
ALTERNATIVES
There are no alternatives to consider as part of this update.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion