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TransportationWednesday, November 4

Voters are leading on a rail tax that would bring trains to Colorado Springs

The Daily Colorado Springs teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 4 sources

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If you've been waiting on a train between Colorado Springs and Denver, Tuesday night was encouraging. In early, unofficial returns, Ballot Issue 7A led 55.1% to 44.9% with all 12 counties reporting. It would pay for passenger rail south of Denver to Pueblo, and the district's general manager says trains would serve Colorado Springs along the way.

Yes led 55.1% to 44.9% in early returns

Source: The Gazette

View as table
AmountShare
Yes55.1%55.1%
No44.9%44.9%

Sal Pace, general manager of the , called the result “historic”. He said the district plans first-phase service by 2029, with trains reaching Colorado Springs within five years and two stations here. Talks with resume next week.

  • Tax: 0.333%, about 33 cents per $100 spent
  • Exempt: food, gasoline, residential utilities, prescription drugs, medical supplies
  • Southern service to Pueblo: proposed to begin in 2032
  • Trinidad: a new Amtrak station would be added

What the tax would raise and borrow

$295 million
projected each year from the tax
$580 million
in bonds the district could sell
3
daily round trips at the start, eventually 10

Sources: The Colorado Sun, The Gazette

Critics say the permanent tax costs too much for a service that won't be used heavily. About 800,000 voters in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Weld counties got ballots but weren't eligible after a May boundary change.

Sources: The Gazette, The Colorado Sun, Colorado Public Radio, Denver Gazette

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FoodThe state seized Piglatin Cocina over unpaid taxes, and its owner hopes to reopenIf you've been meaning to try Piglatin Cocina, there's a snag. The Colorado Department of Revenue seized the restaurant at 2825 Dublin Blvd. on Fri., Oct. 30. Its second turn on Food Network's “Triple D Nation” aired that night. Guy Fieri raved while hungry locals found a locked door.Today’s editionRead

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