Colorado moves toward Denver–Fort Collins commuter rail with tentative funding plan

Colorado says it has reached a tentative term sheet with BNSF to host a Denver-to-Fort Collins passenger rail, moving the Front Range project forward. The plan envisions three daily round trips with stops from Westminster to Fort Collins, funded upfront at about $333 million and about $30 million annually, using a congestion fee on rental cars, oil-and-gas production, and RTD FasTracks savings—not federal funds. The FasTracks savings account reportedly has about $190 million, which could cover cash costs; final funding still requires approvals from RTD, the governor, and several state and regional boards, with a goal to sign off by year-end and break ground next year as part of a larger Front Range line.