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John,

I’m thrilled to share historic news that will shape Colorado’s future and expand opportunities for mountain passenger trains and communities across our state.

On May 1, 2025, the State of Colorado and Union Pacific Railroad finalized a series of transformative agreements that lay the foundation for passenger rail through Colorado’s Rocky Mountains to Granby and soon onwards to Steamboat Springs and Craig , secure long-term freight service, and unlock new economic potential in the heart of Denver.

We’ve taken what normally takes years—and done it in just months.

This builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed November 1, 2024 , and marks a landmark moment in Colorado’s transportation history.

🚆 A New Era for Mountain Rail
Colorado and Union Pacific signed a 25-year Passenger Rail Access Agreement to launch Mountain Rail , with service connecting Denver, Winter Park, Fraser, Granby—and eventually Steamboat Springs and Craig .

* Up to 506,000 annual train miles secured for passenger use

* Phased service beginning in late 2026

* Reasonable dispatch priority over freight traffic

* Significant state investment in capital improvements

* A new model for public-private partnership in rail development

🛤️ Moffat Tunnel Lease Renewed
We’ve also secured a new 25-year lease for the historic Moffat Tunnel , replacing a century-old agreement that paid just $12,000 annually. Under the new terms:

* Union Pacific will provide train mileage in lieu of cash , creating opportunities for passenger service

* The railroad remains responsible for operations, maintenance, and emergency upgrades

🏙️ Burnham Lead Line: A Key Acquisition
The State has also purchased the Burnham Lead Line , a vital corridor through central Denver. This opens the door to:

* Safer rail operations and removal of at-grade crossings

* Transit-oriented development on the Burnham Yard site

* Preservation of a major transportation right-of-way for future rail capacity

📜 A Century of Ambition: The Moffat Tunnel Legacy
This moment is also a tribute to our past. Over a century ago, David Moffat, a visionary businessman, imagined a tunnel through the Continental Divide to make Colorado the commercial center of the Mountain West . Though he didn’t live to see it built, his dream became a reality.

Completed in 1927 , the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel connected Colorado’s eastern and western slopes, dramatically reducing travel time and unlocking economic opportunity. It was the largest railroad tunnel in the Western Hemisphere , built by 800 workers over 3½ years, and remains a critical piece of our infrastructure today.

These agreements are more than legal documents—they are the blueprint for a modern, connected Colorado , one that respects our past and invests in our future.

Thank you for your continued support as we build a more sustainable, accessible, and exciting transportation system for every Coloradan.

Onward,
Jared Polis

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PAID FOR BY POLIS FOR COLORADO. TRACIE MOORE, REGISTERED AGENT.
Polis for Colorado
PO Box 36006
Denver, CO 80236
United States