Sal Pace reveals new draft plan for the Colorado Connector passenger rail service connecting Fort Collins to Pueblo

Sal Pace, General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, released a draft delivery plan for the Colorado Connector, a passenger rail service connecting 12 cities between Fort Collins and Pueblo. The plan establishes a "Starter Service" between Denver and Fort Collins, scheduled to launch in 2029. Amtrak will operate the trains, which will run on existing freight tracks owned by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The administration of the district is pursuing an incremental expansion strategy. While the initial phase is secured with $332 million in funding, the full buildout to Pueblo is estimated to cost $1.7 billion. To fund this, the district board plans to vote in August on a 0.333% sales tax measure for the November ballot. The new plan also includes specific improvements for Colorado Springs, such as a second station in the north and a relocated downtown platform. Local funding for Colorado Springs will nearly double to $6.6 million annually. The district is currently accepting public feedback on the plan until July 27.

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