Passenger trains coming to downtown Colorado Springs?

The Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership is backing Issue 7A, a ballot measure that could introduce passenger train service to downtown Colorado Springs through the Colorado Connector, also known as the CoCo line. Voter approval is required to extend the rail line to both Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

If approved, Issue 7A would authorize a 0.333% sales tax increase — equal to one-third of a penny — for areas located within a five-mile radius of a station. According to the Downtown Partnership, the project has the potential to transform the city’s economy by drawing additional visitors to the downtown area from throughout the state.

Regarding questions about daily passenger volume and the long-term viability of the service, Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership CEO Chelsea Gondeck expressed confidence in the transit planning process. “I think that CoCo, the Front Range passenger rail district, has really put a lot of effort into recognizing what is sustainable for the community and having price points and usage at a level that people will use it regularly,” Gondeck said.

The rail district is using current funding sources to initiate the initial launch phase of the CoCo project by 2029.