Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced during a press briefing last week that the state has agreed with Union Pacific Railroad for a 25-year lease and a Memorandum of Understanding for the Moffat Tunnel.
The lease and access agreement, scheduled to be signed on May 1, will enable the state to use Union Pacific’s tracks to develop a state-sponsored Mountain Rail passenger service. The proposed expanded passenger rail would extend beyond the current end of the line in Grand County and open up potential stops as far away as Steamboat Springs.
Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, whose district includes the eastern end of the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel, said the new agreement keeps the possibility for a rail stop to be developed around Rollinsville. Hollingsworth told the Weekly Register-Call, “Yes, Rollinsville is still a potential future stop. I’m attending the periodic meetings, which will resume quarterly in 2025. The possibilities are economic development, commuter and recreation transport from Denver with stops along the way as far as Steamboat. The Hayden area is a coal transition community with possibilities for new businesses and freight trains.
For Gilpin, it could enhance economic opportunities, including increasing Eldora skiers, reducing single car travel, increasing shuttles for visitors, and more patrons of local small businesses.”
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