TransportationTop story
Voters are leading on a rail tax that would bring trains to Colorado Springs
Yes led 55.1% to 44.9% in early returns
Source: The Gazette
View as table
| Amount | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 55.1% | 55.1% |
| No | 44.9% | 44.9% |
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.
Sal Pace, general manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, 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 BNSF Railway 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.
