Arvada might soon punch its ticket to the high country, as state planners weigh a new Colorado Mountain Rail stop along the city’s West Metro corridor. The possible infill station, eyed near existing RTD tracks, would give suburban riders easier access to year-round mountain service toward Winter Park, Granby and points beyond. City leaders and CDOT officials have already kicked off local outreach and a site study that will help decide whether Arvada actually lands the stop.
Planning slides from CDOT outline a short "Phase 1" slated to launch in November 2026 with a single daily round-trip between Denver and Granby, roughly 76 rail miles. A second daily trip is on the table, and that addition is what could open the door for infill stations, including a West Metro Arvada stop and Rollinsville. For the initial rollout, CDOT says trains will use existing stations at Denver Union Station, Winter Park Resort, Fraser‑Winter Park and Granby.
The state has already cleared a major hurdle by securing passenger access through the 6.2‑mile Moffat Tunnel under a 25‑year lease and access agreement with Union Pacific. Officials say that the deal lays the groundwork for potential future extensions as far as Steamboat Springs and Craig. According to the Colorado Governor's Office, the agreement allows up to three daily round-trips, about 506,000 train miles each year, and is a key enabler for the broader program.
Closer to home, CDOT plans to study possible Arvada station sites and collect public feedback in a process one report says could last about eight months and look at as many as five locations. That same report notes the agency is tentatively planning an open house at Arvada High School on April 30. As reported by Denverite, city staff and CDOT have been coordinating on community‑engagement opportunities, and a local transit advocate told the outlet an Arvada stop "would draw more people to use the service that may not otherwise."
What an Arvada stop would deliver
Planners say a West Metro boarding point could turn Mountain Rail into an everyday option instead of a once‑in‑a‑while ski train, making it more practical for suburban commuters, families and weekend travelers. Supporters argue that infill stops like an Arvada station can boost ridership and spur small business activity and new development around platforms. Skeptics, meanwhile, are already flagging concerns about parking, traffic and neighborhood impacts near any eventual site. For a deeper look at the statewide effort and the tunnel deal that made it possible, see expanded Mountain Rail service, as per Hoodline.
Funding and timeline
According to CDOT’s presentation, the project will draw a portion of its funding from revenues generated by the state’s new rental‑car fee (SB24‑184), with revenue forecasts helping to push the plan forward. The same materials list procurement of an operator and rolling stock, federal approvals from the FRA, and construction of layover facilities are key steps before the planned November 2026 launch of the initial Denver‑to‑Granby pattern. Design work and station construction for any future infill stops, including a potential Arvada station, are slotted for later phases. CDOT also notes that long‑range planning envisions a roughly 232‑mile corridor stretching to Craig and other Yampa Valley communities.
Denverite reports that CDOT will post open‑house notices, schedules and contact information on its Mountain Rail webpages, while residents should also watch for formal meeting announcements from both the city and the state. The outlet’s coverage includes the tentative Arvada open‑house date and comments from city staff and transit advocates. We will keep an eye on CDOT project updates and local meeting notices as the site study moves ahead, but for now, Denverite’s story has the most current local details.
