Sal Pace: Front Range Passenger Rail

Bulletin for May 7, 2026

Featured Speaker: Salvatore (Sal) Pace

General Manager, Front Range Passenger Rail District — Front Range Passenger Rail

OPENING

Paula led the prayer on the National Day of Prayer, focusing on leaders, the military, unity, and healing for Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, and the nation. Heidi led the Pledge of Allegiance.

“Seek to understand, then to be understood. Keep a win-win attitude and the world will be a better place.”

— Donald E. Ballard, United States Navy Medal of Honor

CLUB BUSINESS

• Club Roster: Intended to be attached to the meeting announcement — was emailed to Kevin but not attached.

• 80th Anniversary Event: Sign-up sheets circulated for the Pikes Peak Club’s 80th anniversary on June 30 at 6:00 PM at Safari Lodge, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Activities include feeding the giraffes and a notable zoo speaker (possibly the giraffe program lead).

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build: Scheduled for June 27, approximately 10:00 AM–1:00 PM. Informal participation — gloves optional, possible social gathering afterward. Over 1,000 beds have now been delivered in Colorado Springs.

• Water Conservation Symposium (July 29): This is a symposium, not just a tour — focusing on water conservation and Colorado Springs Utilities. Presentations, area tours, and a farm-to-table lunch. Speakers include Palmer Land Conservancy, Dr. Mark Bartolo, and Harbor Land Trust. Bring cash for produce; a carpool seat is available.

• Member Updates: Dana met former member Sam Malone, who plans to retire October 15 and is interested in returning to the club.

• Real Estate: Discussed 15-year vs. 30-year mortgages — time value of money and the discipline required to invest the difference in payments.

• Club Badges: Request for members to locate former gold Sertoma name badges; considering using them for senior/long-standing members.

KEYNOTE: SAL PACE — FRONT RANGE PASSENGER RAIL DISTRICT

About Sal

Sal Pace is the General Manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District (FRPRD), the agency charged with developing passenger rail between Fort Collins and Trinidad. He is a former Colorado state representative and minority leader, a former Pueblo County Commissioner, and a longtime rail advocate. He co-authored the 2009 FASTRA amendment, chaired the Southwest Chief and Front Range Rail Commissions, helped secure nearly $100 million to preserve the Southwest Chief route plus $100 million in BNSF maintenance commitments, and received the Amtrak President’s Service and Safety Award in 2016.

Phase 1: Denver to Fort Collins by 2029

FRPRD is a Title 32 special district created in 2021 to plan, finance, construct, and operate intercity passenger rail. Phase 1 funding has been secured without new taxes. A term sheet has been signed with BNSF for $331 million enabling three round trips per day between Denver and Fort Collins:

• Seven days a week

• Eight stations

• 69 track miles

• Maximum speed: 79 mph

• Leasing existing freight track — no eminent domain

Colorado negotiated directly with BNSF and Union Pacific outside federal Amtrak leverage, agreeing to operational constraints (no passenger train meets) to minimize freight disruption — saving an estimated $400 million versus a contentious approach.

Phase 2: South to Colorado Springs and Pueblo

Phase 2 will extend service south to Colorado Springs and Pueblo and will require new revenue via a ballot measure. A 2026 ballot question is being prepared; over 20 town halls have been held, including five in Colorado Springs with 2,000+ participants. Polling shows support for a tax but skepticism about debt — FRPRD is modeling pay-as-you-go scenarios.

Preliminary (non-final) modeling: a 0.33% sales tax (~$0.033 on a $10 purchase) could deliver Colorado Springs service within approximately 5.5 years of passage (~2032).

Stations and Economic Development

FRPRD will not own or operate stations — it will allocate funds to municipalities for station development and first/last-mile infrastructure. Colorado Springs is planned to receive $80 million for a station adjacent to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, selected through a 2021 study with ~2,500 participants. Denver’s Union Station transformation is the model. Fixed rail is expected to increase nearby property values more than bus service.

Special Event Stops Under Discussion

• New Broncos stadium at Burnham Yard (finalization in 2–3 months)

• New pro women’s soccer stadium in South Broadway, Denver

• Air Force Academy (conversations ongoing with the Academy and the private track lessor)

• Larkspur festival

• Colorado Springs station will directly serve the adjacent soccer stadium

• Fort Collins station planned on CSU campus

Typical intercity rail riders are leisure and destination travelers more than daily commuters — similar to the Gulf Coast “Mardi Gras Express.”

Fares and Financial Model

• Proposed fare: ~$0.19/mile (e.g., Colorado Springs–Denver ~$14)

• Rail positioned as public infrastructure — comparable to highway investment. The I-25 “gap” project cost over $1 billion; Denver–Pueblo capital cost (~112 miles) is approximately $1 billion, with lower cost per mile.

• Farebox recovery expected to cover 10–20% of operating costs; the remainder funded publicly.

Service Levels and Rolling Stock

• Initial Colorado Springs service (2032): two round trips per day, scaling to 6–7 round trips as funding allows

• Train capacity at full build: ~550 passengers

• New Siemens “Aero” hybrid-electric trains planned — café cars, enforced ticketing, no open boarding

• Passenger experience modeled on Brightline in Florida

Infrastructure Upgrades

Monument Hill requires an additional track due to freight congestion. Downtown Colorado Springs has single-track segments needing a new siding. All upgrades modeled by BNSF and Union Pacific. The freight railroads will be held harmless — improvements benefit both passenger and freight operations.

Westbound Service

Separately, the state plans new daily service west of Denver Union Station to Granby by December 2026, with a long-term goal to reach Steamboat and Craig. A term sheet has been signed with Union Pacific. Denver Union Station will serve as the hub for both Front Range and westbound services.

Community Consent

No service will be provided to communities that don’t want it. Castle Rock declined; Sterling Ranch (Douglas County) shows strong interest. Monument has modeled interest; Huerfano County was removed from the district since service there is unlikely for 25+ years, and it would mean taxing without near-term benefit.

NEXT ARRANGEMENTS

• Attach and resend the roster with the next meeting announcement.

• Finalize details and confirm speaker for the June 30 80th anniversary at Safari Lodge, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

• Recruit and confirm volunteers for the June 27 bed build (10:00 AM–1:00 PM).

• Coordinate sign-ups and logistics for the July 29 water symposium, including lunch and produce purchases.

• Collect and return circulating books (Frank’s and Marlene’s) to their owners.

• Locate legacy gold Sertoma name badges; determine badge plan for senior members.

CONCLUSION

As Yasmina Khadra wrote: “Life is a train that stops at no stations; you either jump aboard or stand on the platform and watch as it passes.” The Front Range Passenger Rail District is building the platform. The train is coming.

The Pikes Peak Club · pikespeakclub.com