Yampa Valley Regional Airport - Steamboat Springs - Denver Passenger Service

“Operation All Aboard” would repurpose existing train lines in the region that deliver coal to the power plants in Craig and Hayden. Going from coal freight to passenger service could ease the commute for the thousands of workers who currently drive in from nearby towns, allow for rail service from Yampa Valley Regional Airport directly into Steamboat and even create an opportunity to connect one of Colorado’s iconic ski resorts all the way to Denver.

A plan to offer passenger train service through the Yampa Valley and Steamboat Springs is picking up steam
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Steamboat, like all ski towns in Colorado, struggles to balance worker needs and housing needs. That means a lot of the workforce commutes from other towns, particularly from the west. An estimated 800 a day commute from Hayden and another 2,700 from Craig — all driving on U.S. Highway 40, a winding, mostly-two-lane road.
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The Yampa Valley Regional Airport sits outside of Hayden, about a 35-minute drive from Steamboat in good weather. That airport, which saw around 244,000 arriving seats in 2021 according to Steamboat’s analysis, is also right next to the current Hayden power plant, meaning a spur off the main train line meant for dropping off coal is well-positioned to one day pick up tourists.
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Of course, if Operation All Aboard is fully realized, the Yampa Valley Regional Airport wouldn’t have to factor into tourism plans. In total, the train would connect all the way to Denver, taking a similar route that the Winter Park ski train does.

“That would be Union Station to Winter Park, Kremmling, Bond, and then up here. So that's a little bit of a different rate that you could imagine that would be more of a vacation ski train,” Jones said.
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The City of Denver owns most of the Winter Park facilities and subsidizes all of Amtrak's loses running the Ski Train. How much will Steamboat Springs resorts will be willing to subsidize the extension of the Ski Train?
These news articles always leave off important facts and never answer the questions facts bring up. Let's spin hope this happens without mentioning what needs to occur before it can happen is a severe disservice to all.

More news vis-a-vis equipment: Trains

Colorado to fund study of Denver-Craig passenger service
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The state DOT on Friday issued a “request for information” for rolling stock for possible passenger service between Denver and Craig, Colo., and has asked manufacturers and vendors to respond within 45 days. The agency says the request is not a solicitation for bids and is not meant to result in an order, but is an effort to understand what equipment might be available for mountain rail service.
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CDOT is seeing trains that can handle steep grades, high altitudes, and potential low temperatures, with a capacity of 200 and “comfortable and upscale furnishings, including tables at facing seats and not more than 2×2 seat configuration.” There should also be options for a lounge or café car and wi-fi service.
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