The Mountain Rail Service has officially been approved, setting the stage for a new year-round passenger train connecting Denver’s Union Station to Steamboat Springs. This new route expands on the state’s existing ski train network and responds to increasing demand for car-free access to Colorado’s mountain destinations.

The route will extend beyond Winter Park, with stops in Fraser, Granby, and additional mountain communities before reaching Steamboat. The goal is to reduce vehicle traffic, ease road congestion, and offer a more sustainable transportation option for tourists and locals alike.

The State of Colorado has committed $5 million toward a Service Development Plan, which will outline logistics, station locations, and potential integration with other transit systems. Governor Jared Polis also signed a lease with Union Pacific to allow for increased ski traffic along the rail corridor.

Though service won’t begin for several years, the approval marks a major step toward rethinking how the Front Range connects to the Western Slope, offering a long-term alternative to I-70 for winter travelers.