HomeMy WebLinkAbout16356Docusign Envelope ID: F5D2DE10-698B-824A-81 CD-9713887328895
RESOLUTION NO. 16356
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FRONT RANGE
PASSENGER RAIL DISTRICT'S NARRATIVE SUMMARY FOR
PROPOSED CITY STATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE ALONG THE FRONT RANGE
WHEREAS, the Front Range Passenger Rail District ("FRPRD") was established as a
corporate and political subdivision of the State of Colorado to research, develop, construct,
operate, and maintain an interconnected passenger rail system along the Front Range
extending from Wyoming to New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the development of a Front Range passenger rail system represents a
significant regional investment in transportation infrastructure designed to serve current and
future generations of Coloradans; and
WHEREAS, Front Range passenger rail is intended to connect residents and visitors to
employment centers, housing opportunities, colleges and universities, medical facilities, and
entertainment destinations throughout the Front Range; and
WHEREAS, Colorado's Front Range population is projected to approach seven million
residents in the coming decades, increasing demand on existing transportation systems and
exacerbating congestion along Interstate 25, one of the state's most heavily traveled and
consistently congested corridors; and
WHEREAS, passenger rail offers a reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation
alternative that can reduce vehicle miles traveled, alleviate roadway congestion, and contribute
to improved air quality and environmental outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the Colorado Department of Transportation ("CDOT"), the FRPRD, and the
Class I freight railroads spent the last four years studying the operational feasibility of utilizing
existing rail infrastructure, enabling near -term passenger service while maximizing the use of
existing assets; and
WHEREAS, initial passenger rail service in the northern front range is anticipated to
begin as early as 2029, providing a timely response to growing transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, pending voter approval, the system will be expanded to connect from
Pueblo to Fort Collins, with station area buildout and development; and
WHEREAS, the FRPRD has conducted public outreach through town hall meetings, City
Council presentations, and digital engagement, providing citizens with meaningful opportunities
to ask questions, offer input, and engage with FRPRD board members and staff; and
WHEREAS, the inclusion of a passenger rail station in the City has the potential to
enhance transportation options, support economic development, advance the creation of transit
oriented development, and generate increased activity in the hospitality, retail, and service
sectors; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2026, the FRPRD Board approved a Local Return Program
through which, contingent upon voter approval of a regional funding measure and execution of a
subsequent intergovernmental agreement, the FRPRD will provide annual funding to local
governments hosting a designated passenger rail station for a period of twenty-five (25) years to
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support the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the station and broader station
area investments enhancing access, connectivity, and functionality, including multimodal access
and first -mile and last -mile improvements; and
WHEREAS, the Local Return Program scales annual base funding to the population of
each participating local government, and Pueblo, with a population over 99,000, qualifies for an
annual base amount of $3.0 million; and
WHEREAS, Principle 3 of the Local Return Program provides that any local government
with a designated station that, by June 30, 2026, provides written confirmation of support for the
FRPRD's Station Summary, by council resolution or letter of support, will receive a ten percent
(10%) increase in its annual Local Return funding amount; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution is intended to constitute the City's written confirmation of
support for the FRPRD's Station Summary for purposes of qualifying the City for the ten percent
(10%) Local Return funding incentive, while reserving for the City the decision whether to
participate in the Local Return Program through a future intergovernmental agreement following
voter approval; and
WHEREAS, the FRPRD is obligated to educate the public regarding the proposed train
service, including identification of station locations and planning efforts to date by each local
government, and is developing Station Summary materials for that purpose; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that
SECTION 1
The City formally adopts the attached Addendum A narrative describing the City's station
area location, planning efforts to date, and anticipated post -ballot planning. The FRPRD may
share this narrative publicly to reflect the City's current understanding of station area conditions
and planning direction. The narrative is non -binding and remains subject to refinement through
future local decision -making processes.
SECTION 2.
The City supports the continued efforts of the FRPRD to plan, develop, and implement
passenger rail service along the Front Range of Colorado.
SECTION 3.
The City affirms its support for ongoing public education and engagement efforts by the
FRPRD to ensure that residents of the City are informed about the proposed system, including
the proposed station area, its benefits, costs, and anticipated impacts.
SECTION 4.
The City expresses its support for the inclusion of a passenger rail station within the City
if a ballot measure is passed by the voters of the FRPRD, recognizing the potential economic,
mobility, and community benefits associated with such an investment.
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SECTION 5.
The City encourages continued coordination among the FRPRD, CDOT, host freight
railroads, and local governments.
SECTION 6.
The City directs staff to continue working collaboratively with the FRPRD on station
planning, land use coordination, infrastructure integration, and opportunities to maximize local
economic benefit.
SECTION 7.
The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the FRPRD, CDOT,
and other relevant regional and state partners as evidence of the City's support of the project
and station area development.
SECTION 8.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage and approval.
INTRODUCED: June 22, 2026
BY: Roger Gomez
MEMBER OF CI o ..Qq.VJ/ CIL
APPROVED: ��((
ocusignedby: PRESIDENT F ITY �OUNCIL
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ATTESTED BY:
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CITY CLERK
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City Clerk's Office Item # Q1
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: June 22, 2026
TO: President Mark Aliff and Members of City Council
CC: Mayor Heather Graham
VIA: Clyde Bishop, City Clerk
FROM: Ted Hernandez, Councilor
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE FRONT RANGE PASSENGER
RAIL DISTRICT'S NARRATIVE SUMMARY FOR PROPOSED CITY
STATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE
ALONG THE FRONT RANGE
SUMMARY:
The attached Resolution supports the Front Range Passenger Rail District's (FRPRD)
Station Summary for the proposed Pueblo passenger rail station, sited at the historic
Pueblo Union Depot, and expresses Council's support for the development of
passenger rail service along the Front Range. The Resolution adopts a non -binding
station area narrative for incorporation into the FRPRD's public -facing Station Summary
materials in advance of a future ballot measure to fund the system.
Adoption of the Resolution constitutes the City's written confirmation of support for the
FRPRD's Station Summary under Principle 3 of the Local Return Program approved by
the FRPRD Board on April 24, 2026. Written confirmation submitted by June 30, 2026
qualifies the City for a ten percent (10%) increase in its annual Local Return funding
amount for the 25-year period, contingent on voter approval of a regional funding
measure and execution of a subsequent intergovernmental agreement.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The Front Range Passenger Rail District is a political subdivision of the State of
Colorado created to research, develop, construct, operate, and maintain an
interconnected passenger rail system extending from Wyoming to New Mexico along
the Front Range. Pueblo is the southern terminus of the planned Colorado Connector
corridor. Initial service in the northern front range is anticipated to begin as early as
2029, with up to 10 round trips per day between Pueblo and Fort Collins contingent on
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voter approval of a future ballot measure
The proposed Pueblo station will be anchored at the historic Pueblo Union Depot in the
Union Avenue Historic Business District, with adaptive reuse of the existing Baggage
Depot as the primary station hall. Current planning includes a planned multi -modal
bridge linking the Baggage Depot to new station platforms and the Arkansas River
Levee Trail, a regional bus port co -locating rail and bus services, a downtown circulator
study to enhance last -mile connectivity, and structured parking integrated with adjacent
mixed -use development. The Pueblo Transit Center is located within 1 mile of the
station, giving passengers easy access to the city's entire transit system.
On April 24, 2026, the FRPRD Board approved a Local Return Program for local
governments hosting a designated passenger rail station. Under the Program,
contingent on voter approval of a regional funding measure and execution of a
subsequent intergovernmental agreement, the FRPRD will provide annual funding to
participating local governments for twenty-five (25) years to support the design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of a passenger rail station, along with
broader station area investments enhancing access, connectivity, and functionality,
including multimodal access and first -mile and last -mile improvements. Annual base
funding is determined by the local government's population. Pueblo, with a population
over 99,000, qualifies for $3.0 million in annual base funding under the Program's tier
schedule.
Principle 3 of the Local Return Program provides a ten percent (10%) increase in the
annual Local Return funding amount for any local government that, by June 30, 2026,
provides written confirmation of support for the FRPRD's Station Summary, either by
council resolution or letter of support. Adoption of the attached Resolution constitutes
the City's written confirmation for purposes of the incentive, qualifying the City for an
annual amount of $3.3 million for the 25-year period, again contingent on voter approval
of the regional funding measure and the City's subsequent participation in the Local
Return Program through an intergovernmental agreement with the FRPRD.
The Resolution does not commit the City to participate in the Local Return Program,
does not lock in any final designs or implementation obligations, and does not authorize
the expenditure of any City funds. The Local Return Program document expressly
states that an agreement or support document of this kind speaks to intent only. The
City's opt -in or opt -out decision regarding the Local Return Program will be made
through a separate intergovernmental agreement following voter approval of the
regional funding measure.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications for the City
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
Not applicable to this Resolution.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
Not applicable to this Resolution
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ALTERNATIVES:
If this Resolution is not approved, the City will not provide written confirmation of
support for the FRPRD's Station Summary by the June 30, 2026 deadline established
in Principle 3 of the Local Return Program. The City would forgo the ten percent (10%)
increase to its annual Local Return funding amount, which represents approximately
$300,000 per year, or $7.5 million over the 25-year period, contingent on voter approval
of a regional funding measure and the City's subsequent participation in the Local
Return Program through an intergovernmental agreement with the FRPRD.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
Addendum A