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5/1/2026
After months of negotiations, a joint service executive committee and BNSF Railway earlier this week approved a term sheet agreement and needed appropriations to advance a proposed new passenger-rail service in Colorado to the design phase.
The state’s Front Range Passenger Rail District is developing a Colorado Connector intercity passenger-rail service between Fort Collins and Pueblo that’s projected to launch by January 2029. The service will run on existing rights of way governed by BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad.
The agreement establishes the key terms for a 25-year access agreement, which would serve as the contract to provide three round trips between Denver and Fort Collins. All six project partners expect to finalize a formal access agreement by June and then initiate the design phase.
By bringing together all the public partners to share resources and expertise, streamline track sharing with BNSF, and plan around current and already-planned parking and transportation infrastructure, the agreement created an efficient delivery model at half the cost of previous studies with no new taxes, Colorado officials said in a press release.
“As the nation’s largest host of passenger-rail service, we’re committed to working together to deliver safe, reliable transportation that strengthens mobility and opportunity across the region,” said BNSF Assistant Vice President of Passenger Operations Jim Tylick.
An estimated $330 million will be spent on capital improvements for the project, including track improvements and positive train control.