For now, the plan is to get the train running between Denver and Fort Collins. It's already funded and is expected to start service in 2029.
Voters will weigh in this fall on a tax to fund the southern part. The train would be extended to Colorado Springs and Pueblo if voters approve the tax increase.
https://coloradonewsline.com/2026/08/28/front-range-cities-vote-colorado-connector/
This would be so so wonderful. Do it Colorado!
This was always my dream when I commuted from Denver to the Springs for 7 years. I hope it gets built but I'll probably never see it in my lifetime.
If we vote yes, their plan has it ready by 2029!
I think it said Denver to FoCo by '29, whether it's yes or no. Pueblo by 2032 if it's a yes. I hate to be a negative Nelly, but I'm of the opinion that the timeline there could turn out to be a tad optimistic, especially if Kiewit is involved in any phase of it. But to clarify, I meant I don't know if I'll make it back to Colorado in my lifetime. I live in Asia now, and I no longer have any people in the Centennial state.
That makes a lot more sense.
Weird how we need referendums for trains but when they want to build a road they just do it.
Do they? Not challenging, but curious. I know roads seem to be the default
Well, this is Colorado, so any time you want to increase taxes for anything, you pretty much have to put it to the voters. This is due to a horrible law called the Taxpayers' bill of Rights, or TABOR, which was itself approved by referendum, and engineered, proposed, and heavily promoted by a California transplant multi-millionaire slumlord named Douglas Bruce.
So, to be completely honest, at least big one highway project that I can think of was expensive enough that it did have to have a referendum to approve the funding (although technically that also included some light rail so maybe that's the real reason, LOL).
But in general, yeah, a roads budget is usually built into the general fund and just assumed that you're going to be spending lots and lots of money building roads. But getting rail approved is like pulling teeth.
The total costs of this rail project are supposed to be something like $14.5 billion, so in all honesty I wouldn't be super angry that it has to be voted on, but I get the sentiment in the above comment.
edit: dang it, again with the paragraphs. When will I learn?
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