Will trains make a comeback in Colorado?

A Long-Awaited Comeback

Colorado is reviving passenger rail service—three decades after the last passenger train left the tracks in 1967. The new Fort Collins-to-Denver route, set to launch in 2027, marks a bold step backward into the future of transit.

Back in the '60s, tunes like Penny Lane and Purple Haze filled the airwaves while trains faded into history. Today, the plan doesn’t stop at Fort Collins—future expansions could stretch all the way to Pueblo, New Mexico, and Wyoming. A new Moffat Tunnel route to Granby begins this fall, with potential stops in Steamboat Springs and Craig on the horizon.

From Boom to Bust: How Trains Shaped—and Nearly Broke—Colorado

Trains weren’t just a way to travel—they built the state. In the late 1800s, railroads raced to haul silver and other riches, giving birth to towns like Durango and Holyoke. But the rise of the automobile changed everything. Highways like I-25 replaced railroads, and by the 1960s, passenger trains were nearly extinct.

Traffic jams, rising costs, and the convenience of cars made railroads seem obsolete. Now, Colorado is betting big on trains again—but this time, with a modern twist.

The Big Question: Does Colorado Need Trains?

The state’s growth is slowing, but Colorado isn’t shrinking. If trains prove efficient, they could be a game-changer—reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and giving travelers a smarter way to move.

For now, the comeback is just beginning. But one thing is clear: the rails are back—and Colorado is boarding the train.