WINTER PARK - Following his 2024 State of the State address, which focused on the bold vision of creating more housing now and expanding transit across Colorado, Governor Polis rode the inaugural 2024 season Amtrak Winter Park Express train from Denver to Winter Park. After arriving, Governor Polis’s day focuses on highlighting these two important goals in the Winter Park area and the greater western slope.
“The Winter Park Express is a unique service for Coloradans and the millions of visitors who come to Colorado to enjoy our world-class skiing, snowboarding, and winter activities. I encourage everyone to ditch the drive this ski season and ride passenger rail! As Colorado grows, passenger rail will play an important role in creating more housing opportunities, and a more sustainable, affordable, liveable, and explorable Colorado,” said Governor Polis.
This season the Winter Park Express will make 40 round trips between Denver and Winter Park, an increase from the 2023 season, running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from January 12 through March 31st. To learn more about the train schedule and ticketing, Coloradans can visit Amtrak’s website.
(Governor Polis speaking with a conductor of the Winter Park Express Train)
(Governor Polis at the Winter Park Express Train stop after the Moffat Tunnel)
(Governor Polis at the Winter Park Express Train stop)
After arriving, Governor Polis participated in a stakeholder event, bringing together employers, local government leaders, Colorado’s tourism industry, and local partners to discuss the Governor’s vision for mountain rail. At this meeting, Governor Polis and CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew presented their vision for mountain rail, provided updates on the Service Development Plan, and outlined engagement opportunities for the community. Expanding mountain rail is a key component of Governor Polis’s Roadmap to a Future Colorado 2026.
“I’m committed to building rail service that can get Coloradans where they need and want to go. These services will save Coloradans time and money while helping meet our climate goals. Mountain rail will provide Coloradans and visitors convenient service to our iconic mountain ranges, and safe travel for the workers who commute into Steamboat Springs daily,” said Governor Polis.
Earlier this year, Colorado’s Front Range Rail was accepted into the Biden Administration’s Corridor ID program, paving the way for Colorado to access significant federal funding to connect Front Range communities safely by train.
Following the stakeholder conversation, Governor Polis will tour the Conifer Commons, a 332-bed, $60 Million dollar workforce housing complex. This recently completed project increases the much-needed workforce housing supply for the resort. With units starting at approximately $800 per month, this project provides workers with housing options they can afford in their own community. The Conifer Commons is walkable for resort workers and positioned along The Lift, Winter Park’s free bus system, allowing residents to get to and from work and downtown without needing a vehicle.
“The Conifer Commons is the type of workforce housing project we want to see more of around the state. These housing units will ensure that the local workforce, including restaurant workers, ski instructors, shuttle drivers, and others will be able to live near work. Too often workers are forced to live farther from their jobs due to housing costs, and I am happy to see Winter Park tackling this challenge head-on,” said Governor Polis.
In late 2023, Governor Polis announced his Roadmap to a Future Colorado 2026, which outlined a vision for a more affordable, sustainable, and livable future for all Coloradans. This includes creating housing for all Colorado budgets near job centers so Coloradans can spend less time commuting and more time doing the Colorado activities they love with their friends and family.
Governor Polis will end his day with a meeting to discuss the Victoria Village Attainable Housing Development project. Purchased by the City of Fraser in May, utilizing an Operation Turnkey grant from the Department of Local Affairs’ Division of Housing that covered 80% of the property cost, this property will be developed into attainable housing. Once built 50% of the units will be available to people earning 120% or less than the Area Median Income.
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