Colorado’s Mountain Rail Project Advances Toward Denver to Steamboat Springs Connection

The Colorado Mountain Rail project is gathering steam, with state officials confirming that daily passenger rail service between Denver and Granby is on track to launch in November 2026, reports Ski-Hi News. The project, spearheaded by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), represents the first phase of a broader plan to reconnect Denver with Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley—a corridor that last saw regular passenger trains nearly six decades ago.

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At a recent open house in Fraser, CDOT’s Division of Transit and Rail Assistant Director, Maux Sullivan, outlined the phased approach. The initial service will offer a morning departure from Denver’s Union Station to Granby, followed by an evening return. A second daily round trip, with the schedule reversed, will soon follow, allowing Grand County residents to spend full days on the Front Range.

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This new service will be modeled after the Winter Park Express ski train, which has proven both popular and reliable. The 2024-25 ski season saw ridership on the Winter Park Express more than double, thanks to lower fares and improved punctuality, a notable achievement given the historic unreliability of mountain rail in Colorado. CDOT aims to replicate this success, positioning the new line as a dependable alternative to driving, especially during the winter months when I-70 congestion and weather delays are common.

A pivotal breakthrough occurred in May with the signing of a 25-year agreement between the state and Union Pacific Railroad, which extended access to the Moffat Tunnel. This deal secures up to three daily round-trip passenger trains and up to 500,000 train miles annually, while Union Pacific retains its freight operations. The agreement sets clear construction, operational, and performance benchmarks, addressing a top concern for mountain communities and ski resorts that depend on reliability for both tourism and local travel.

The long-term vision extends beyond Granby. CDOT’s service development plan, funded by recent state legislation, targets eventual expansion to Steamboat Springs and Craig. The Steamboat Springs City Council has already approved a resolution in support of the project and is actively exploring potential station locations, including options near Steamboat Resort. Community feedback and careful planning will shape the final route and station sites as the project advances.

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The shift from coal to passenger rail in the Yampa Valley, made possible by declining freight traffic, opens new opportunities for both residents and visitors. Advocates highlight the project’s potential to boost economic vitality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide a safe, year-round transportation alternative for skiers, tourists, and locals alike.

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As the Mountain Rail project moves from planning to implementation, the prospect of a seamless, car-free journey from Denver to Steamboat Springs is closer than ever—a development that could transform how Coloradans and visitors experience the state’s legendary mountain resorts.