Providing Professional Services to Support Intercity Passenger Rail Service Along the Colorado Front Range

• Led alternatives analysis that evaluated corridor options and implementation strategies
• Provided grant support to position the project for future investment
• Supported communications and outreach among agencies, local governments and project stakeholders
• Developed station-area planning materials that helped align agencies and communities around a shared vision for service

Colorado’s Front Range is forecasted to add nearly 3 million people by 2050, driving the need for new transportation options to safely connect the growing communities. The Front Range Passenger Rail aims to connect Fort Collins, Denver and Pueblo and communities in between with a reliable transportation alternative to Interstate 25 while supporting the region’s continued population growth and economic vitality.

The proposed 180-mile passenger rail service will be the first of its kind in the state. HDR has played a critical role in the project since 2019, beginning with an alternatives analysis for the project. Since then, our team has continued supporting the Front Range Passenger Rail District and Colorado Department of Transportation by providing strategic communications, planning, grant support, cost estimating, governance assistance and program development services.

Evaluating Rail Feasibility

Our initial work in 2019 focused on understanding whether passenger rail service could succeed along the Front Range. Working with CDOT and the rail district staff, we coordinated with federal agencies, local jurisdictions, policymakers and Colorado residents to identify mobility needs, evaluate route alignments and explore implementation strategies in the alternatives analysis.

Our strategic communications professionals created a stakeholder engagement approach that divided the corridor into north, central and south study regions. This allowed the team to engage major employers, universities, medical institutions, transit providers, transportation professionals, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders that would be impacted by or benefit from passenger rail service.

The alternatives analysis confirmed passenger rail was feasible and demonstrated strong public support for improved regional mobility. Evaluation of existing rail corridors found that sharing freight infrastructure offered the most cost-effective path for implementing service.

The findings were compiled into a visual implementation brochure that helped communicate the benefits of passenger rail and built support for creation of a special district. The branding and messaging framework developed by our strategic communications team was later used to communicate the formation of the Front Range Passenger Rail District and its long-term vision for the corridor.

Understanding the Costs

Passenger rail development requires significant capital investment as well as long-term operations and maintenance funding. Our finance professionals evaluated potential funding sources and developed cost estimates to help decision-makers assess future implementation options.

A capital, operating and maintenance cost assessment provided the rail district board and policymakers with information needed to evaluate service frequencies, station locations, operating plans and corridor development priorities.

We also supported development of the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program, helping position the corridor for future funding opportunities and implementation planning.

Supporting Inter-Agency Coordination

As planning advanced, we continued working alongside the rail district to support planning, stakeholder engagement, and coordination among partner agencies and local communities to help maintain progress as passenger rail planning moved closer to implementation.

Working with local governments, transit agencies and community stakeholders throughout the corridor, we helped communicate service development recommendations and station planning concepts. The team developed station-area maps and planning materials for all 13 proposed stations, providing communities with a clearer understanding of station locations, transit connections, future development opportunities and how passenger trains would integration with their local transportation networks.

We also supported collaboration among the rail district, DOT, transit agencies and local communities. Those discussions helped project partners evaluate station concepts, understand planning decisions and navigate complex implementation considerations while building consensus around future passenger rail service.

Advancing Toward Implementation

Years of planning and stakeholder engagement have positioned the project to enter its latest phase. Initial service planning is focused on establishing three daily round trips between Denver and Fort Collins by 2029. Future phases would expand service frequency and extend passenger rail south to Colorado Springs and Pueblo. In November 2026, voters across the district will decide whether to establish a dedicated sales tax to fund future phases of Front Range Passenger Rail.

We continue to advise the district as it evaluates the steps needed to move from planning to implementation, providing continuity across agencies, communities and stakeholders as the vision for passenger rail along Colorado's Front Range takes shape.