Pueblo shows support for Front Range passenger railway

Talks of a Front Range passenger rail system have been going on for years. O n Friday the commission trying to make that a reality met in Pueblo for a public meeting.

The Southwest Chief Passenger Rail commission held a public meeting to discuss the proposed passenger rail system that would connect Fort Collins all the way to Trinidad and beyond.

Dozens came to the Union Depot to attend the meeting, and show their support for the passenger rail system.

” This was a great turnout today, ” said Randy Grauberger , the director of the Southwest Chief Front Range Passenger Rail. ” This was the largest public turnout we’ve ever had for one of our commission meetings. “I was talking about with the commission here and these people here just show how important this passenger rail system is to our community in the southern Colorado,” said Pueblo County Commissioner Terry Hart.

About 85% of Colorado’s population live in the 173-mile corridor along the Front Range, and the population is expected to grow by 35% in the next 25 years. Some of the biggest booms will be in El Paso County and counties east and north of Denver. The proposed passenger rail system would alleviate congestion on the roadways.

The Union Depot where Friday’s meeting took place hasn’t been used as a train stop for people looking to travel since 1971. People in attendance believe that needs to change.

“We are really interested in using our train station once again,” said Rebecca Lou Mudd , a Pueblo resident. ” My aunt tells stories every time we come down here that she took the train just to go up to Denver to listen to music. Leave in the morning come back that night. And that’s my hope; that I can do the same thing. Pueblo County Commissioner Terry Hart, who also serves on the railway commission, says the county and city will soon study the prospects of a passenger rail in Pueblo, and where the station could be.

” I think there is a decent chance [the Union Depot] could be the site ” said Hart. ” I know there is a lot of community support for it. It is in the center of town, and this is where it used to be. Albeit all of the federal requirements and state requirements say we must go out and study all options that are available.

There is no guarantee that the passenger rail system will be built.

The Southwest Chief Commission will go before the state legislature with its findings on the feasibility of the project during the 2020 legislative session.

The commission is asking the public for feedback as well. There is an online survey on their website which you can find here.