All Aboard the Safety Train: Colorado Secures $66M for Rail Upgrades

Funding Set to Address Recent Rail Safety Concerns

Hold on to your conductor hats, folks—big news just rolled into the station! Colorado’s rail network is gearing up for a major safety overhaul, thanks to a hefty $66.4 million in federal grant funding. And because Colorado doesn’t do anything halfway, the state is matching that amount with $28 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. That’s right—over $94 million is about to be funneled into crossing upgrades and positive train control systems along the Front Range rail corridor.

What’s the grand plan? We’re talking serious safety enhancements that do more than just slap a fresh coat of paint on the tracks. These upgrades are the essential building blocks for a future passenger rail line connecting Fort Collins to Pueblo. Imagine swapping that soul-crushing I-25 traffic for a smooth, scenic rail ride—cue the collective sigh of relief from every weary commuter in Colorado.

Governor Jared Polis captured the excitement, saying, “Today’s grant will make freight rail traffic in some of our busiest, fast-growing communities safer quickly while laying down the groundwork for future passenger rail.” With more than $66 million in federal support from the Biden-Harris administration, Colorado’s rail system is finally getting the spotlight it deserves.

Safety First, Fast!

The timing couldn’t be better. Just last year, a tragic derailment north of Pueblo shut down I-25 for days and claimed a life. The NTSB’s investigation pointed out rail segments and a weld point that had seen better days—the kind of “better days” that make you think twice about hopping on a train. And if that wasn’t enough, a recent Amtrak derailment left three passengers with a story that’s anything but funny.

Enter this new round of funding, poised to turn those nightmare headlines into history. It’s not just a step forward; it’s a turbo boost toward meeting federal safety standards and making rail crossings less like scenes from a disaster movie. Governor Polis didn’t mince words when he said rail crossings can be “sites of dangerous incidents,” and he’s not wrong.

A Unified Push Forward

CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew jumped in to highlight the team effort behind this grant win. “A unified statewide effort with the Polis administration has made this milestone possible,” she noted, adding that the Biden-Harris administration’s continued support shows they’re serious about Colorado’s rail future.

Even BNSF—the rail titan ranked No. 17 among the world’s top freight companies—is on board. Jim Tylick, assistant VP of passenger operations, tipped his hat to the collaborative spirit, saying, “We appreciate the early collaboration with the Front Range Passenger Rail District, CDOT, and the FRA.” Translation: all hands are on deck, and this grant is a big win for everyone.

The Elephant in the Room: Cost and Skepticism

Now, before we all start popping the champagne, let’s talk reality. While $94 million is a great start, the entire Front Range Passenger Rail project comes with a price tag that makes even deep pockets think twice—we’re talking $6 billion to $14 billion. Rolling out a limited version alone could set the budget back a cool $2.5 billion.

And for those of you who still remember the Denver FasTracks project—the one that promised the moon but delivered more like a nice, polished rock—a touch of skepticism is understandable. Sure, FasTracks brought some new light rail lines and the A-Line to Denver International Airport, but that promised passenger rail to Boulder? Still hanging out in the realm of wishful thinking. Billions spent, and the meter’s still running.

But hey, hope springs eternal! Being included in the Federal Rail Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program, backed by a $500,000 grant, is a clear sign that Colorado’s not just dreaming—it’s planning. Negotiating right-of-way access with BNSF is an obstacle for future Colorado, but for now, the state is on track—pun fully intended.

So, to the skeptics: Colorado isn’t just doodling rail maps on a napkin. We’re laying down tracks and moving full steam ahead—one grant at a time.

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• Colorado Public Radio
• CBS News Colorado
• The Gazette