The proposal for the mountain rail could bring transit solutions, economic growth in Craig

An effort to restore the passenger tracks between Denver and Craig took one step forward this month when the Ministry of Transport from Colorado revealed service plans and formally supported the Craig City Council.

Paul Derocher, director of the CDOT department for Transit and Rail, presented the recent progress in Mountain Rail project with city leaders during a workshop on April 8, in which he declared schedules, service expectations and the future of Craig as a key date.

“It still offers a great opportunity because the existing rail infrastructure is still there,” said Derocher, referring to the historic train station of the city along the Union Pacific line.

The proposed Craig station would sit next to the old train station near the southern end of the Yampa Avenue. The location offers several critical operating advantages, including existing ties and space for a maintenance device.

“We are looking for Craig for an opportunity for a maintenance facility to set up, to clean … so that we can bring crews on board,” said Derocher. “With a maintenance facility in this place … there are options for jobs … that supports the operation of this line.”

The Mountain Rail Project builds on the legacy of the Yampa Valley Flyer, a passenger railway line that served in 1968 in the region.

“… much of what we have here builds on the history of this line, including many locations, especially that in Craig,” said Derocher. “So this offers us a great template to recover and revive a historical, culturally important line.”

By adopting state legislation, Colorado founded two special financing mechanisms to support aspects of the Mountain Rail Project.

“These two fees are actually outside the state’s budget deficit,” said Derocher and found that the deficit would probably not have a strong influence on the financing currents.

CDOT has been working on completing a service development plan that describes service routes, ward locations, infrastructure requirements and operational feasibility. This plan is to be completed in the summer of 2025.

The current configuration of the plan comprises three types of service: a long line from Denver to Craig, a short line to Granby and a local Yampa Valley Service, which connects Oak Creek with Craig, with steamboat fairies as a central hub.

Derocher said that Craig is well positioned within the proposal and that it also has the opportunity to control some aspects of developing the station.

While CDOT covers many important capital improvements such as tracks and signal systems, local jurisdiction can identify and prepare long -term station development and maintenance.

Derocher found that the city “undertakes to investigate what the tools are”.

“Here, too, we will not specially dictate the level of detail there,” he said. “It is only that you have given some explorations and have an understanding of how the plan would be implemented.”

In addition, added that the state does not impose strict definitions about what transit -oriented development has to look like.

“Ultimately, it is the decision of the community,” he said. “The state is really unable to deny this.”

The train service between Craig and Denver would not start immediately. CDOT plans to start the first passenger service between Denver and Granby by the end of 2026. The expansion to Craig and the Yampa Valley would later occur in later phases after negotiations with Union Pacific have been completed and if aspects of local obligations are available.

Derocher also said that the train time between Craig, Hayden and Steamboat Springs would be comparable to or faster than driving.

Derocher also dealt with the expected discussions on the cost division that would go hand in hand with the formation of a regional transport authority.

“I think we would think about how we share the costs with the RTA and the members of the RTA,” said Derocher. “But it would not be a situation in which … the Yampa Valley RTA would have to go out and get its own train, its own operator and his own maintenance. There is really the opportunity to use the investments that would enable a long train between Denver and Craig, which will also benefit the Yampa Valley service.”

Local officials commented on the project and at the same time determined the need for persistent transparency.

“It also sounds as if we have an idea of ​​where the station and the platform will be. It is not specifically exactly where this point is,” asked City Councilor Randy Looper. “My impression of you is that these are more guidelines. The state will not tell us that we have this, this and this, but these are the guidelines of what you want to speak.”

Derocher replied with the words: “This is fair. Yes.”

When the meeting was completed, Derocher emphasized that Craigs distinguishes early and organized planning planning.

“The city is ahead of the curve,” he said. “You are really in the lead.”

Later this evening, the Craig City Council passed Resolution No. 4 (2025) and officially supported the placement of a Mountain Passenger station within the city. The resolution supports the proposed location in the state SDP and asks the city to complete a station plan. These planning efforts will deal with land use, infrastructure needs and tax strategies to support the development of the future station.

The resolution also requires an focus on the city’s master plan and outlines the potential for transit -oriented development and a regional mobility center in the heart of Craig.

CDOT is expected to complete its service plan this summer. The city councils in the region have asked to adopt resolutions for the support, to confirm the locations of the ward and prepare for the long-term infrastructure and development requirements associated with a new passenger rail service.