By Shannon Lukens.
The 25th Annual Airline Partners Summit, hosted by Steamboat Resort, is this week. All six airlines that fly into Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden are represented, along with local business members and elected officials.
One presentation Tuesday was about the Mountain Rail Project which would be from Denver to Craig. Here’s Shoshana Lew, who is the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation.
“We’re thrilled to be here to talk about all of the progress that’s been made in the past year and a half towards mountain rail a reality for this region. There’s so much potential to connect places within the valley, and across the state, through rail. Being able to prioritize this project is a tremendous opportunity for all of us working together.”
Lew spoke with Lisa Kaufmann, Senior Strategic Advisor to Governor Polis, State of Colorado. They told the audience that the mountain rail project creates an alternative transportation and puts train tracks to good use.
Lew said more options are needed to get into the mountains and to ski areas, especially after last year’s avalanches on Berthoud Pass, which is Hwy 40. “Trains are much safer than driving on winter roads.”
Kaufman also spoke about the Moffat Tunnel, which is the 6.2 mile tunnel under the Continental Divide that ends at the base of Winter Park. A 99-year lease with Union Pacific expired on Jan. 6, 2025. An agreement has been reached where Union Pacific will operate the tunnel and have exclusive access for freight. In return, the state will get three round trips daily as part of the agreement, which is expected to be finalized by May 1.
They also spoke about possibly getting new tracks to connect to Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, or there will be shuttles to a train station in Hayden.
Lew added that it is a good way to also get employees across the region and the rail project could expand into summer for year-round needs. More information is at ColoradoMountainRail.org
Vice President of Lodging Blair McNamara for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation also gave an update on Steamboat and Alterra.
Katie Brown, the VP of Brand & Resort Strategy for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation discussed the “Steamboat Brand.”
Here are other speakers:
- Shoshana Lew, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Transportation, & Lisa Kaufmann, Senior Strategic Advisor to Governor Polis, State of Colorado, “Colorado Mountain Rail“
- Carrie Kelly and Rhett Morgan, Directors, Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting, “State of Air Service: Ski & Sun”
- Kevin Booth, Director, YVRA & Jonas Philipsen, Principal, Design & Studio Director, Gensler, “Yampa Valley Regional Airport Expansion”
- Mark Weithofer, Managing Director Network Planning, United Airlines
The Airline Summit ends Wednesday.