Agenda Date: 06/16/2026
Subject:
Title
Motion authorizing the Mayor’s Signature on a Letter of Support for development of the Front Range Passenger Rail District Station at Mineral Station in Littleton, Colorado
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: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
Provide a letter of support and approve the station summary narrative to receive a ten percent incentive annually as part of the proposed $2.0 million station-area grant program for Front Range Passenger Rail.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture; Robust and Resilient Economy; Safe Community
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 continues to explore a potential ballot question in November 2026. In the 2026 legislative session the boundaries were narrowed to include only municipalities that directly benefit from and support the line along the Front Range in anticipation of heading the polls. The district is considering a sales tax increase (estimated between 0.25% to 0.5%) to generate an estimated $262 million annually for the system. If approved, the funding will support the future passenger train line recently named the "Colorado Connector" (or "CoCo"). If the tax passes in November 2026, the first phase of the starter service connecting Denver and Fort Collins is projected to begin as early as 2029, with full corridor service to Pueblo by 2032.
Littleton is anticipated as the first station south of Denver Union Station along the Front Range Passenger Rail alignment. Council provided direction during general business of the regular meeting on March 17, 2026, to continue planning with the district for a platform at the Mineral Station.
Prior to June 30, 2026, the FRPRD seeks a statement of local support as well as the city’s adoption of the Littleton’s station summary narrative for Mineral Station.
If the city provides a letter of support and adopts the station summary narrative prior to June 30, 2026, the city is then eligible for a ten percent incentive in addition to the twenty-five-year annual station-area grant proposed for each community hosting a passenger rail station. The City of Littleton will be eligible for $2.0 million annually based on its community population. These grants would be available only after the successful passage of the ballot measure and could support the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a passenger rail station as well as broader station-area investments that enhance access, connectivity, and functionality, including multimodal access and first- and last-mile improvements.
BACKGROUND:
The Front Range Passenger Rail District is an independent taxing district with the vision of bringing intercity passenger rail to Colorado. The district is empowered to plan, design, develop, finance, construct, operate and maintain an interconnected passenger rail system along the Front Range that will provide increased connectivity to Front Range cities and have competitive travel times compared with other modes of surface transportation. CDOT has been supporting the district with technical analysis, design, planning, and advice.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• Staff presented a comparison of the Littleton-Downtown and Littleton-Mineral Stations for a future Front Range Passenger Rail station and Council determined Mineral Station as the preferred alternative on March 17, 2026.
• The Front Range Passenger Rail District introduced its new General Manager and provided an update on February 17, 2026.
• Staff provided comments and memo to the FRPRD on the draft SDP and Station Area Analysis in March 2025.
• The Front Range Passenger Rail District provided an introduction, overview of the district, update on service development planning, and local station planning on December 10, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this letter of support; however the letter of support does make the city eligible for a ten percent increase in annual payments of the station area municipal grants pending voter approval to fund the Colorado Connector passenger rail service.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends signature of the letter of support and adoption of the station summary narrative.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to authorize the Mayor’s Signature on a Letter of Support for development of the Front Range Passenger Rail District Station at Mineral Station in Littleton, Colorado.