DENVER — One of Colorado’s members of Congress is calling for the U.S. Department of Transportation to rescind funding to the state’s Front Range Passenger Rail project, claiming it a waste of federal funding. Colorado’s governor says no federal funding has been allotted to construction for the project.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Windsor, Colo.), in a letter released Tuesday (April 22) but dated April 7, asked Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Elon Musk, and the acting administrator of the presidential advisory group Department of Government Efficiency, requested an inquiry “into the potential misuse of federal taxpayer dollars” for the project, claiming it is “fiscally irresponsible, impractical, and benefits special interests.” It also raises questions about use of eminent domain to obtain property, and suggests the money would be better spent on highways. In a press release, Boebert said the project “will harm our community’s quality of life,” but does not indicate how that is the case.
The office of Gov. Jared Polis, in a statement reported by KUSA-TV, said that to date, the only federal money for the project is “less than $2 million for a study that is scheduled to wrap this year.” The project was included in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program in 2023, which includes a $500,000 grant for further project planning.
The state did receive $66.4 million in federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants last October to address track and siding projects and positive train control installation on a 10-mile section of BNSF rail line in northern Colorado. [See “FRA awards $2.4 billion …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 29, 2024.] Improvements to five grade crossings were also covered. That trackage could eventually be part of the Front Range passenger route, but the funds were not explicitly connected to that project.
Boebert’s request follows an announcement earlier this month that the FRA was rescinding a grant for the Texas Central high speed rail project [see “FRA rescinds grant …,” News Wire, April 14, 2025. The FRA has also cut other rail grants awarded under the Biden Administration, and is seeking to claw back additional funds.
First, she needs to get to her votes on time. Second she needs to articulate exactly what Colorado spending priorities should be at the Federal level.
Boebert isn’t a serious person.
She isn’t a serious person, I’ll give you that. But she’s right about this issue.
As for the money granted to BNSF for freight rail, that’s totally inappropriate.
So, no money for passenger rail but 66 million to a for profit railroad is ok?
I also don’t agree with a $66M grant to a Class 1. However, that grant was under Biden and I guess was approved by enough of the Colorado “D” politicians on both the Federal and State level. situation. Otherwise I doubt it would have happened given the state’s political situation. It’s highly unlikely the current Federal administration will be funding the proposed new passenger service.