Class I rail carrier BNSF and the State of Colorado have concluded a preliminary agreement to allow Colorado Connector--the new moniker for state-funded intercity passenger service radiating from Denver--trains to operate between Denver and Ft. Collins. This service will utilize BNSF's Front Range Subdivision, extending for 74.4 miles north from Denver's Union Station.
The service is expected to cost $30 million in annual operating fees, together with a one-time payment of $333 million to commence three daily round-trips, per Colorado Public Radio.
Previous service on the route was provided by BNSF predecessor Chicago Burlington & Quincy, while Amtrak served the region into the 1990s with the Pioneer, which stopped roughly 32 miles southeast of Ft. Collins at Greely.
Image: Artist's rendering of CoCo Rail Siemens trainset. Front Range Passenger District via coloradonewsline.com
