Transit and Rail Program

The Division of Transit and Rail was created by state legislation in 2009. The Division is responsible for the planning, development, operation, and integration of transit and rail into the statewide transportation system.  This is consistent with CDOT’s mission of providing “the best multimodal transportation system for Colorado that most effectively and safely moves people, goods and information.”

In addition, the Division will work in coordination with other transit and rail providers to plan, promote, and implement investments in transit and rail services statewide. To accomplish this, the Division developed the Colorado State Freight and Passenger Rail Plan approved by the Colorado Transportation Commission in March 2012.  With the development of the State Rail Plan, CDOT is now eligible for Federal Railroad Administration funds.  A Statewide Transit Plan will also be developed to identify local, interregional, and statewide transit and passenger rail needs and priorities.  Both of these required plans will be integrated into the long-range Statewide Transportation Plan.

Other responsibilities of the Division include:

• Design, build, finance, operate, maintain and contract for transit services, such as bus, passenger rail, and advanced guideway system services
• Administer and expend state and federal funds for:
  • Construction, maintenance and operation of interregional transit, advanced guideway, and passenger rail services
  • Transit projects including, but not limited to, facilities, equipment, services and provision of grants to transit operators
  • Coordinate and negotiate with the railroads
  • Support CDOT in representing the state with respect to the development of intercity rail facilities, including high speed rail projects
  • Coordinate and cooperate with regional transportation authorities

The Transit and Rail Division is integral in providing a multimodal transportation system to meet Colorado’s transportation challenges now and in the future.

Primary functions of the Division included:

• Administration of the Federal Grant Program
• Administration of the State Grant Program (FASTER)
• Transit and Rail Planning
• Agency and Stakeholder Coordination
• Compliance with Federal Requirements
• Performance and Asset Management

The Division currently has several studies either underway or soon to begin. These include the:

• Advanced Guideway System (AGS) Feasibility Study (April 2012 – September 2013)
• Interregional Connectivity Study (April 2012 – September 2013)
• Establishing a Framework for Transit and Rail Performance Measures (November 2011 – December 2012)
• Intercity and Regional Bus Network Study (December 2012 – July 2013)
• Statewide Transit Plan (February 2013 – May 2014)
• Transit Capital Asset Inventory (TBD)