Front Range Passenger Rail District proposes sales tax for Colorado Connector

The Front Range Passenger Rail District board of directors voted 14–1 on August 28, 2026, to place a new sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot. The proposed 0.333% sales and use tax is intended to fund the Colorado Connector, a passenger rail service designed to link Fort Collins and Pueblo along the I-25 corridor.

If approved, the tax is expected to generate approximately $295 million annually. The revenue would support operations, maintenance, upgrades, and long-term expansion of the rail system. Additionally, the measure would allow the district to issue up to $580 million in debt. The tax would apply only within the district boundaries, specifically in communities near permanent stations, and would exempt food and gasoline to minimize the impact on basic necessities.

The Colorado Connector aims to address traffic congestion and climate change, with projections suggesting it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 126,000 metric tons annually. While the full service aims to connect northern and southern Front Range cities, an initial phase called ‘Starter Service’ is planned to run between Denver and Fort Collins by 2029, utilizing existing state and Regional Transportation District funding.