Will trains make a comeback in Colorado?

Colorado is bringing back passenger trains after a long break. The new service will run three times a day between Fort Collins and Denver starting in 2027. It’s a big change from 1967, when the last passenger train left the tracks. Back then, people listened to songs like “Penny Lane” and “Purple Haze” on radios. The plan doesn’t stop there—eventually, trains could connect to Pueblo, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Another route, through the Moffat Tunnel to Granby, starts this fall. Later, it might even reach Steamboat and Craig. Trains shaped Colorado’s early growth. In the late 1800s, railroads raced to haul silver and other riches. Towns like Durango and Holyoke owe their existence to those tracks. But cars changed everything. Highways like I-25 replaced railroads, and by the 1960s, most passenger trains were gone. Traffic jams and rising costs made roads less practical, though. Now, Colorado is trying to fix that with trains again.Trains today aren’t just about nostalgia. They offer a cheaper way to travel, especially for events like hockey or baseball games in Denver. The state’s bus system, Bustang, already connects distant towns to the city. It’s reliable—unless traffic delays buses. Still, trains could help ease highway congestion. Earlier plans for brand-new tracks cost too much. Now, the state plans to use existing freight tracks, which are underused as coal shipments drop. Not everyone is convinced. Trains in Fort Collins might not take you straight to your doorstep. And in places like Longmont, driving could still be faster. But trains have perks—no speeding drivers, no parking hassles, and time to relax. Some worry about new tech like self-driving cars, which could change how we travel. Others wonder if trains will ever return to tourist spots like Aspen or Glenwood Springs. The bigger question is whether trains fit Colorado’s future. The state’s growth is slowing, but people aren’t leaving. Trains could be a practical option if they work well. For now, the comeback is just beginning.