From 1906 to 1968, a passenger train would stop at the Kremmling depot.

The passenger railway was first envisioned in the early 1900s by David Moffat. He planned to extend the line from Denver to Salt Lake City, but it didn’t make its final destination during his lifetime.

Originally incorporated as the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific Railway, ownership changed over the decades. Now, Union Pacific operates the railroad.

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For nearly 60 years, passengers could ride the line from Denver to Steamboat Springs, then onto the nearby town of Craig, with multiple stops in Grand County. The passenger railway shuttered as automobiles took the forefront.

Now, Colorado is looking to turn back to its historic mode of transport: the train.

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As state officials work to bring passenger rail back to life, the plan looks at reviving old stops, including one in Kremmling. At the March 5 Kremmling Board of Trustees meeting, the community discussed the Colorado Mountain Rail project.

What is the Colorado Mountain Rail project?

The Colorado Department of Transportation is heading the Colorado Mountain Rail project, which would operate on the Union Pacific rail line between Denver and Craig.

CDOT says the vision for mountain rail, which the agency has been working on for years, is possible because of dramatically decreased coal train traffic on Union Pacific lines. Further reducing traffic, coal-burning power plants in the Craig area are expected to shutter within the next four years as the state turns to alternative energy.  

Currently, Amtrak offers passengers a ride on the California Zephyr along Union Pacific lines. This train travels from Denver through Grand County. As it passes by Kremmling, the train heads south to Glenwood Springs, rather than north to Craig. Amtrak also offers the Winter Park Ski Train, a popular route from Denver to Winter Park Resort.  

To make the Colorado Mountain Rail project a reality, CDOT would have come to an agreement with Union Pacific for use of its lines. The agreement would be separate from Amtrak’s California Zephyr.

Is it time for a new train?

At the March 5 meeting, CDOT representatives Maux Sullivan, Cody Hedges and Branden Shafer discussed the pros of Colorado Mountain Rail. According to Sullivan, the rail would provide a safe alternative to driving over mountainous passes such as Rabbit Ears and Berthoud.

Vehicle crashes can be frequent on passes in the winter. For example, seven crashes occurred within four days in the Berthoud Pass area in February.

“We don’t want people who are unprepared for winter weather conditions driving if they don’t know how to,” Sullivan said. … “I think the train can provide a really great alternative for those folks — a safe way to travel to Kremmling and other places without putting themselves or others at risk.”

In addition to preventing crashes, the train provides “improved transportation, equity and a just transition away from fossil fuels,” Sullivan said.

She added that passenger trains will keep the Craig line from shutting down, which would be a big loss to communities along the line.

The mountain rail project received a boost in funding from two senate bills that passed in 2024. The funding would allow CDOT to develop passenger train infrastructure to Craig. Individual towns and cities can also seek state funding for the project.

Where could the stops be?

CDOT staff members have hosted several open houses along the mountain rail corridor to hear residents’ thoughts on the project. In 2024, open houses were held in Winter Park, Fraser and Granby — three potential train stops. A benefit of these locations is that stations already exist as part of Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. Town of Granby trustees recently passed a resolution in support of the rail, in a 4-3 vote.

There could be a total of 18 potential stops at full build-out, including Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling. At the Kremmling meeting, Sullivan said that there will be at least one round trip each day between Denver and Craig. There could be additional shorter trips between Denver and Granby and within the Yampa Valley, she said.

Sullivan and other CDOT representatives visited Kremmling in 2024 to identify what they believe is the best location for the station: the corner of Fourth Street and Depot Avenue, close to where the original depot was located.

Does Kremmling support mountain rail?

After CDOT’s presentation, trustee Jim Miller expressed his support of the railway. Miller, who spearheaded Kremmling’s involvement in the mountain rail project, has a strong interest in the train’s history in town.

In 2008, the Kremmling depot was relocated to Heritage Park in the center of town. The depot is “one of a kind,” Miller said. As the last remaining depot of its floor plan built by the Denver Northwestern & Pacific Railway, it has a designation by the State Historical Fund. Miller added that the town possesses the original plans, so a depot could be reconstructed as it was first imaged by David Moffat.

Despite CDOT’s presentation of advantages and Miller’s enthusiasm, some residents in the audience were not sold on the idea.

There were questions about which railway siding the depot would be located at, since freight trains and the Amtrak already use the line. And a couple of residents stated that a depot is a safety concern because it encourages homeless individuals to stay there.

The Granby depot is sometimes locked to keep individuals out, whether they live in Grand County or ride the train there. Residents asked whether the police had capacity to constantly monitor the depot.

“Given the frequency of the stops, it’s something that’s feasible for us to do,” officer Yogi McGovern responded. “It’s definitely going to be something we make a serious priority. … Are we staffed enough to do it? Yes. Is it going to make our lives more complicated? Yes, but that’s part of our job.”

Officer Bryon Hicks added that the type of train stop is very important. Obviously, a large, heated depot could attract people to sleep there. But there are other options, like a platform with a roof or a small station that’s only open when the train arrives.  

“If we were to create a closed shelter like Granby, I consistently hear on the radio they’re dealing with people that are there,” Hicks said, adding that lighting and security cameras should be installed at the stop.

CDOT staff agreed that it was up to Kremmling to design a potential stop — whether a depot with a nod to the 20th century or a simple platform.

A boon or burden?

Miller discussed how a train stop could increase tourism for the area. For example, when the depot was operational, visitors would take the boardwalks up to the town center and spend the day shopping and eating.

Other residents questioned whether a stop was enough to entice visitors. If only one round trip is offered a day, passengers would have only a few minutes in the town before the train travels to its next stop.

And even if more frequent stops are offered, residents questioned how passengers would get around if they wanted to leave downtown. Unlike Granby and Winter Park, there is no regular bus system in Kremmling. The Bustang (operated by CDOT) makes only one round trip each day between Kremmling and Denver.

In response, Miller and the trustees stated that there are talks of expanding Bustang service or even partnering with Summit County for a bus route.

Miller added that the train could provide benefits to residents. For example, seniors could use the train to get to doctor’s appointments or shopping.

One community member added that the train is great for skiers to get to resorts in Steamboat, Winter Park and Granby without having to worry about traffic, parking or bad road conditions. However, others conceded that multiple stops a day would be needed for this to be practical since the train trip from Denver to Craig takes at least six hours.

If the mountain rail project becomes a reality, the town would have to weigh the costs of renovating the infrastructure around the railway to make it hospitable once more. The area is zoned industrial, and some parts have fallen into disrepair over the past 50 years.

Some residents were not supportive of money being funneled toward the train when it could be spent on other critical projects.

Trustees stated they would need to compare drawbacks and benefits but added that they are interested in passing a resolution to continue conversations with CDOT, just as Granby did. The resolution is not binding, and Mayor Wes Howell recommended the town send a survey to residents about their feelings on a station.

“This is really driven by local decision making,” Sullivan said. … “What makes sense and what’s the best for Kremmling, because you all know that better than we do.”

More coverage about Colorado Mountain Rail:

Granby Board of Trustees narrowly approve resolution supporting mountain passenger rail project

Grand County residents share their initial thoughts on proposed mountain passenger rail

Lawmakers ask CDOT for Northwest Colorado passenger-rail development plan