By Shannon Lukens.
Northern Colorado communities are working on forming the Mountain Rail Coalition (MRC). The communities of Routt County, City of Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, Town of Hayden, Craig Chamber of Commerce, Yampa Valley Community Foundation, Winter Park Ski Resort and the town of Winter Park are working on creating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to start the formation of the group, which would encourage mountain rail in the mountains of northwest Colorado.
A press release from Routt County says, “The effort is set up for success with the existing rail line already connecting Union Station to the mountains through the Moffat Tunnel.”
There is also support on the federal and state level to invest in passenger rail.
Press release from Routt County; March 1, 2024.
Northern Colorado Mountain Communities Come Together To Form Mountain Rail Coalition
Collaborative effort aims to formalize coordination efforts for achieving passenger rail
Routt County, CO, March 1, 2024 – As efforts for mountain rail continue to gain momentum, Routt County, City of Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, Town of Hayden, Craig Chamber of Commerce, Yampa Valley Community Foundation, Winter Park Ski Resort and the town of Winter Park are considering a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to initiate the formation of the Mountain Rail Coalition (MRC). The ad hoc group of local governments and private entities has been working to re-establish mountain rail in Northwestern Colorado. The MOU will formalize the group’s commitment to mountain rail and broaden the circle to include other communities who will play a vital role in mountain rail efforts.
“With Colorado’s population projected to grow to 7.5 million people by 2050, passenger rail must be a part of our transportation future,” said Sonja Macys, Routt County Commissioner. “State highways are strained to their max as people from our growing cities renew and recharge by visiting our thriving mountain towns. Escalating housing prices in these mountain towns have driven the local workforce to neighboring communities, increasing the dire need for better, safer, climate-friendly commuting alternatives. Mountain rail has the promise to be this alternative. With the imminent closure of our coal-fired power plants, we are well-poised for the second rail revolution which could, and should, include a return to passenger rail.”
The effort is set up for success with the existing rail line already connecting Union Station to the mountains through the Moffat Tunnel. As freight service on these lines decreases, (primarily coal), opportunities are ripe for passenger rail along with new opportunities for freight rail. There is also a strong push at the federal and state level to invest in passenger rail as an alternative to less sustainable, less environmentally friendly transportation alternatives. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has committed funds and begun work to create a service development plan specific to the mountain rail corridor. On a recent train visit to Winter Park from Denver, with members of the emerging MRC, state agencies requested a more formalized collaboration to streamline communication among interested parties.
The formation of the MRC is an important first step in realizing passenger rail and will serve as the liaison between communities along the proposed mountain rail corridor route and state and federal entities to create passenger rail feasibility across multiple counties. The steering committee of the MRC will coordinate local and state efforts to ensure equitable representation for all communities; work to communicate studies, legislation and opportunities for engagement at the state and federal levels; position mountain rail for funding sources; and collaborate with other Colorado rail development efforts.
“I am thrilled to support and be a partner in the creation of the Mountain Rail Coalition and to help the realization of mountain passenger rail keep chugging along,” said State Senator Dylan Roberts (District 8). “As the Senator for Craig to Winter Park – and everywhere in between – the promise of this project cannot be overstated and ensuring that the state is a key partner with our local communities in making this happen is a top priority for me. The MRC will help us move forward key state legislation supporting mountain rail and will help secure local, state, and federal funding. We can get this done!”
With the signing of the MOU, the Mountain Rail Coalition will officially become an entity and will look to connect with a broader group of stakeholders to continue collaborating with mountain rail corridor communities to develop the most successful approach to re-establishing passenger rail in Northern Colorado.