I can’t help but think that the state of Colorado and the Union Pacific Railroad, by way of the historic Moffat Tunnel, have given Grand County a gift of immense proportions.

In particular, it looks like Granby, Fraser and Winter Park are in line to get daily commuter train service to and from Denver with three trains a day. I feel like putting three exclamation points after that sentence because the full importance of this is simply fantastic.

The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Mountain Rail project is going to become a reality. This service could start in November of 2025 or early 2026.

This was all worked out by way of an historic agreement worked out between the state of Colorado and the Union Pacific Railroad over the lease for use of the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel railroad bore that links the eastern slope of Colorado with the western slope. The western portal emerges from beneath the Continental Divide at Winter Park Resort.

Basically, in exchange for the railroad getting use of the Moffat Tunnel for its freight trains, the railroad agreed to commit to and then work out a way for the tunnel to be used for this commuter rail service. This is in addition to the California Zephyr Amtrak train, which runs daily through the tunnel linking Oakland, California with Chicago, Ill.

And then there’s the increasingly popular Winter Park ski train, which saw a huge jump in ridership for the 2024-25 ski season when rates were lowered and trips expanded.

In my opinion, this has profound implications for the Grand County economy and for the quality of life for people who live and work in Grand County and Denver. Think of it this way, if you will.

Cities, small towns and suburbs along Colorado’s Front Range have been clamoring for years for a north-south commuter rail line that would link all of the Front Range. But it hasn’t happened yet, mainly because of its cost and logistical issues. And yet little ol’ Grand County is getting just the thing those Front Range entities want but at much lower cost and with broader implications for the state’s economy in general.

The biggest implication is for the tourism and travel industry. Tourism is the main driver of Grand’s economy. This rail innovation is going to boost it even more, without putting a million more cars on the road. In my eyes, the possibilities are endless with this rail linkage to Denver for the county. Granby, in particular, can become a true tourism hub with this commuter rail stop right in town.

Even more to the point, realtors, developers and resorts right in Granby, Fraser and Winter Park have just had a huge opportunity just dumped in their collective laps.

Then there are the worker-commuter possibilities for people who may work in Denver and live here, or vice versa. With regular and dependable commuter service to and from Denver, I think the possibilities are endless for Colorado citizens who want to work and play in Colorado’s mountain paradise or in its urban core in Denver, or all of the above.

For Winter Park, the resort and the upper Fraser Valley, this rail-commuter project puts the gondola linking the town of Winter Park and the resort in an expanded position of logical importance. Think about it. There’s not a train station in downtown Winter Park but the stop at the resort will be able to link rail travelers to the town with the gondola, that will also service skiers and tourists going from town to the resort.

It creates this sort of wonderland of travel and economic opportunity and brings it all to a new level of possibility for Winter Park and Fraser.

These gains come about all with transportation enhancements through the commuter line that reduces pollution, increases efficiency and gets cars off the road while linking Colorado residents and visitors to the mountains and the city. It’s a win-win, in my opinion.

I know this sounds like chamber-of-commerce-like boosterism. But for once, I think it’s deserved.

Patrick Brower is the Enterprise Facilitator for the Grand Enterprise Initiative. He offers free and confidential business management coaching to anyone who wants to start or expand a business in Grand County. He is also the author of the book “KILLDOZER:  The True Story of the Colorado Bulldozer Rampage.” He can be reached by calling 970-531-0632 or at pbrower@grandei.org.