The City of Fort Collins is advancing plans to identify locations for a future passenger rail station as part of the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) system. Working in partnership with the City of Loveland and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Fort Collins has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to study and evaluate potential sites.

The $250,000 Fort Collins project will determine which station sites best meet criteria for cost, efficiency, and long-term service. The effort supports the broader Front Range Passenger Rail initiative, which aims to connect Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, Loveland, and Fort Collins through intercity passenger rail.

The study is focused on identifying station locations that meet the requirements for the “Joint Service” between Denver and Fort Collins. This limited service is planned to begin in 2029 with three daily round trips and will serve as an initial phase before full build-out of the rail district.

Potential Fort Collins Station Sites

Seven Fort Collins sites are listed for evaluation:

  • Vine and Linden
  • Downtown Transit Center
  • Colorado State University (main campus)
  • Transfort MAX Drake Station
  • Drake and McClelland (south of Drake)
  • Transfort MAX Horsetooth Station
  • Transfort South Transit Center

Each site will be analyzed for feasibility, ridership potential, land use compatibility, multimodal access, environmental factors, and cost. The process will narrow the list to three final options, including whichever site CDOT selects for initial Joint Service.

Community Engagement and Planning

Public input will be a key part of the planning process. The city will develop a Public Involvement Plan to determine the appropriate level of stakeholder and community engagement. Input will be sought from residents, local businesses, Colorado State University, mobility advocacy groups, and city boards and commissions.

The study will also align with Fort Collins’ land use and transportation goals, considering council priorities, city planning documents, and ongoing development along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor.

Next Steps

The Fort Collins and Loveland station studies are designed to coordinate closely with CDOT and the Front Range Passenger Rail District. Each city will be prepared to meet any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and to engineer improvements necessary to accommodate future passenger rail service.

The RFP was issued on October 20, 2025, and proposals are due by November 17, 2025. Consultant interviews are planned for early December, with contract awards expected by the end of the year.

Once complete, the study will help Fort Collins determine station feasibility, develop site plans, estimate costs, and outline funding and implementation strategies. The findings will position the city to advance passenger rail planning and prepare for eventual service integration along the Front Range.