Westminster considers downtown stop for Front Range joint rail service; city staff urge transit‑oriented development

Brandon Schafer, special adviser for passenger rail and transit for the State of Colorado, briefed the Westminster City Council on April 21 on a proposed "joint service" as an initial phase of Front Range Passenger Rail that would run between Denver and Fort Collins and which state officials say can be funded with existing state and RTD resources.

The presentation said joint service would begin as a hybrid commuter/intercity operation with three daily round trips, about eight stations in the initial phase, and capital and operating costs shared by the state, RTD and other partners. "Joint service is a starter service meant to be built upon," Schafer said, adding the model would allow the state and RTD to invest in capital improvements now and reduce the upfront cost for a future Front Range Passenger Rail District.

City staff and several council members said a downtown Westminster station — located near 80th and Harlan per the staff recommendation — would support three potential transit‑oriented development (TOD) sites inside the city: the existing Westminster Station (B Line terminus), a downtown Front Range/Joint Service stop, and the Flatiron Flyer/Promenade stop. City transportation staff described those three locations as serving different parts of Westminster and noted the downtown site already has bus trunk lines and recent development that would make it attractive for further TOD.

Councilors and staff raised operational and design questions. Mayor Pro Tem asked whether low‑platform joint service equipment would be compatible with the Westminster Station platforms; Diane Barrett, the state's project lead, said low‑level boarding could be accommodated with off‑mainline platforms or other adaptations. Councilors asked how a downtown station would affect the B Line; staff said they would monitor RTD service levels, noting similar concerns that arose on RTD's R Line in Aurora.

Councilors discussed parking and station costs. City staff said the state's proposal assumes the state would build basic platform infrastructure and ownership would be with the state; the city might choose to fund station amenities (landscaping, art, additional parking) but those costs were "not specified" in the briefing. Staff also said the joint service team and RTD's peak rail study to Longmont suggest a standalone parking deck is not likely required for initial service, although parking needs remain under study.

Council members who serve on regional boards noted regional support for a downtown stop because it provides east‑west connectivity to Adams and Jefferson counties and argued the presence of fixed rail is an important signal to private developers and site selectors. A number of council members said downtown was their preferred location; others urged close attention to platform length and scalability to allow future expansion. Several members also urged the city to press RTD to improve B Line frequencies and first/last‑mile connections regardless of the station decision.

The briefing did not include a council vote. City staff said the presentation was intended to inform council and that staff would continue coordination with the state, RTD and FRPR partners and return with more detailed options, cost estimates and proposed next steps.