Agenda Date: 10/06/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 68-2026: A Resolution of the Littleton City Council supporting a Yes vote on Ballot Issue 7A which seeks voter approval of a Front Range Passenger Rail District Sales and Use Tax of 0.333% to fund Colorado Connector (CoCo) Passenger Rail Service
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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Kenna Davis, Senior Transportation Planner |
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Presentations: |
Kathleen Osher, Deputy City Manager |
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Kenna Davis, Senior Transportation Manager |
PURPOSE:
Does Council wish to pass a resolution of support for Front Range Passenger Rail’s (FRPR’s) Sales Tax Ballot Question 7A, regarding the Colorado Connector (CoCo) passenger rail service plan, that is part of the November 2026 election.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with Rich Culture; Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Robust and Resilient Economy
DISCUSSION:
Ballot measure 7A, if approved by voters in the November 2026 election, would impose a 0.333% sales tax within the defined Front Range Passenger Rail District (The District). An estimated $295M in sales tax revenue per year would be collected through this tax to fund Phase 2-5 of CoCo service, expanding service from Fort Collins to Pueblo by 2032. No Federal Funding is assumed in Phase 2. As part of the Local Return funding from the District, Littleton would receive 2.2 million base every year, for a total of $55 million over 25 years.
BACKGROUND:
The Front Range Passenger Rail District (The District) is an independent taxing district with the vision of bringing intercity passenger rail (CoCo) 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.
In March 2026, the Littleton City Council selected the Mineral Station as the preferred CoCo station within the City. Littleton would receive annual funds through the District’s Local Return funding if the 2026 ballot measure is approved. This would provide $2.2 million annually, for a total of $55 million over 25 years. This funding will support the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a passenger rail station, and may support broader station-area investments that enhance access, connectivity, and functionality, including multimodal access and first- and last-mile improvements. Final funding conditions, scopes, and obligations will be formalized through an IGA following voter approval of the referred ballot question. Portion of this Local Return funding has been identified to fund the on-demand microtransit service recommended from the ArapaGO Transit Connections Study that would service parts of Littleton, Englewood, and Sheridan and provide first/last mile connectivity to the station.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• The Front Range Passenger Rail District hosted a Littleton Town Hall at Buck Recreation Center on August 10th.
• Littleton City Council selected the Mineral Station as the preferred CoCo station within the City of Littleton.
• 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:
The FRPR district anticipates an IGA will be sought after the passage of the ballot measure to dictate the terms of the Local Return program. The current station area planning efforts and coordination do not require additional city funding but will require significant staff dedication and capacity. Staff is continuing to work with the District, RTD, and internal departments to progress station area planning of CoCo service in 2032.
FRPRD/CDOT is planning to cover rail platform and rail operation costs for stations within a specific threshold (still to be determined). Local municipalities will own and operate the stations themselves and will be responsible for developing stations and associated amenities but will be eligible for the Local Return funding mentioned above.
If ballot measure 7A passes, an additional 0.333% sales tax would be added to the City of Littleton. The City would receive $2.2 million annually, for a total of $55 million over 25 years through the Local Return program. The Mineral Station is estimated to see $350 million in private opportunity around the station with a net positive +$735 million in economic impact.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff acknowledge the increase in sales tax would create challenges for future sales tax and bonding efforts for the City of Littleton to fund local projects. However, CoCo rail service provides an overall benefit for Littleton residents, the region, and the state - including expanding mobility options, providing congestion relief, improving air quality, and creating redundancy in the regional transportation network. RTD is working closely with staff to develop a plan for station development that could include train amenities, hotel, affordable housing, structured parking, and commercial retail, with an estimated potential economic impact of +$735 million.
ALTERNATIVES:
If ballot measure 7A does not pass, then the funding and timeline for Phase 2-5 of CoCo rail service through Littleton will be undetermined.
PROPOSED MOTION:
City Council endorses the 0.333% sales tax to fund Phase 2 of the Colorado Connector (CoCo) which will be voted on in the November 2026 election through ballot measure 7A.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 68-2026 supporting a Yes vote on Ballot Issue 7A which seeks voter approval of a Front Range Passenger Rail District Sales and Use Tax of 0.333% to fund Colorado Connector (CoCo) Passenger Rail Service.