Key Highlights
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Discover the center of Colorado’s trains at the old Denver Union Station. This busy place is the main spot for travel in and out of Denver.
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You can take Amtrak’s California Zephyr route. It shows you great views as you go across the state and even farther.
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See where big Amtrak stations are. They are in cities like Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, and Trinidad.
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Find out more about trains in Colorado. Visit old train stations and train museums to see its history up close.
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Know about travel times and choices you have for getting from one big place to another on the passenger trains.
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Union Station is your way in to both new rides and old stories in Colorado.
Introduction
Welcome to Colorado. This state is in the United States and has a railroad history that is as bold and grand as the mountains here. From the days of the gold rush until now, trains have played a big part in shaping the towns and land you see in the state. You can see the old stories at each train station. These places join the past with the present. If you love history, want to see the views, or just ride each day, Colorado’s train system lets you explore one of the best places in the United States in a special way.
Major Train Stations in Colorado
When you talk about rail travel in Colorado, Denver Union Station pops up right away. This place is the main hub for the city. It brings together different train services and welcomes people right in the middle of Denver. Denver Union Station is the biggest train station in the state. It acts as the main point for Amtrak trains that take you across the country.
But it is not just about Denver. There are other Colorado Amtrak stations, too. Some important stops are in Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, and Trinidad. These train stations help people get around Colorado. They let you go from the Western Slope all the way down to the southern edge of the state. Traveling by train is a real option because of these union stations and amtrak services.
Denver Union Station – The Heart of Colorado’s Rail Network
Denver Union Station is at 1701 Wynkoop Street in Lower Downtown. This spot is not just a place to catch a train or bus. It is a special destination. The building, done in Beaux Arts style, has been brought back to look beautiful. Union Station is a main spot for Amtrak, the local RTD rail, and buses. This is the heart of travel for the area. From there, you can reach places like the 16th Street Mall. It is also close to many other cool downtown places.
This union station first opened in 1881. It got its impressive look in 1914. The building holds a lot of the city’s past. Long ago, it saw more than 80 trains a day. Today, the place still has its old charm, but now you also get modern things. At the Amtrak station inside, you will find a ticket office, baggage service, and help for travelers.
People like that denver union station is so easy to use. There is a waiting room, restrooms, and ways for everyone to get around, like wheelchair lifts. You can plan your travel times here with no stress. The station links to popular routes, which include the california zephyr and the winter park express, which runs during the season. If you need to drop off baggage, you can do that, too. All this makes the station a good place to start or end your visit.
Other Key Amtrak Stations: Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, and Trinidad
While Denver is the main hub, other Colorado Amtrak stations offer essential services across the state. Cities like Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, and Trinidad provide passenger train access, allowing you to explore different regions without a car. Each station serves as a gateway to the unique attractions of its area.
These stations are vital stops on Amtrak’s major routes through Colorado. Whether you are heading west toward Utah or south near the New Mexico border, these depots connect you to the national rail network. They provide a convenient and scenic way to access mountain towns and southern plains.
Here are some of the other key Amtrak station locations in Colorado:
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Station Name |
Location |
Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
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Grand Junction |
Western Colorado |
A major stop on the California Zephyr route. |
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Glenwood Springs |
Rocky Mountains |
Popular for its proximity to hot springs and nature. |
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Trinidad |
Southern Colorado |
A key station on the Southwest Chief route. |
|
Fort Morgan |
Eastern Plains |
An additional stop on the California Zephyr line. |
Passenger Train Services and Routes
Passenger rail in Colorado is run by Amtrak. You can ride through the rocky mountains and see great views as you go. These routes are a different way to travel if you do not want to drive. You can relax, sit back and take in the good sights. The trains on these trips work well for long rides, so your time on the train should feel easy and nice.
The main lines, like the california zephyr, make planned stops. This helps you plan your trip and know what to expect. When you look at the routes and their travel times, it is simple to figure out how to get from the plains on the east side of colorado all the way to the canyons over in the west.
Amtrak Routes Through Colorado: California Zephyr and Southwest Chief
Two of Amtrak’s best long-distance train routes go through Colorado. They give you some of the most beautiful views and help connect Colorado with the rest of the country. If you want to see a map with all the station stops, you can visit the Amtrak website and check the interactive route maps there.
The California Zephyr is one of the best-known trains. It runs every day from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area. In Colorado, it stops in Denver, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction before moving on to Utah. People love this train because it takes you through the center of the Rocky Mountains.
The Southwest Chief train cuts across the southeast part of the state as it goes from Chicago to Los Angeles. This line takes you to cities like La Junta and Trinidad.
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California Zephyr: Goes over the Rockies, and stops at Denver, Winter Park (during certain times of the year), Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction.
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Southwest Chief: Runs through southeast Colorado, stopping in Lamar, La Junta, and Trinidad.
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Winter Park Express: This train runs during ski season from Denver Union Station to Winter Park Resort.
Regional and Local Rail Connections: RTD Rail and Mountain Lines
Yes, most big train stations in the Denver area work closely with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) rail system. Denver Union Station is the main place where many RTD rail lines come together. Because of this, it is very simple to go from the suburbs or Denver International Airport straight to the main Amtrak station.
This local rail system gives people more ways to get around. When you get to Denver by Amtrak, you can quickly switch to an RTD train to reach other places in the city or areas nearby. This setup makes getting around and seeing more of Denver easy for people living here and for visitors.
The area also has special mountain train lines outside the city. For example, the Winter Park Express is a train that only runs at certain times. It lets you go right from Union Station to the slopes at Winter Park Resort. This train brings together your trip on Amtrak and local trains for a trip in Colorado you will remember.
Exploring Historic and Scenic Train Stations
Colorado’s railroad history is easy to see in the many beautiful and old train stations across the state. Over 50 of these depots are on the National Register of Historic Places. They show off the style from the early days of rail. These stations also help tell the story of how the Union Pacific Railroad had a big impact on Colorado.
You can find the grand Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City and also many smaller stations in rural areas. When you visit these sites, you get to step back in time and see what travel was like then. A lot of these depots now are museums, restaurants, or even places for the community to gather, so their history can be shared with more people.
Classic Depots: Durango, Cañon City, and Leadville
In Durango, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot is a true piece of history. This old Victorian station has been open non-stop since 1882. It is where you start your trip on one of the country’s most famous old train routes. When you stand on the platform, you feel like you have gone back to the Old West.
There is another great stop in Cañon City—the Santa Fe Depot from the 1800s. Today, this brick building is where you get your ticket and find a place to eat for the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. It is just one story high, and it is the starting point for a beautiful train ride through the canyon. It takes you right to a place where you can feel the area’s railroad history.
Some old depots do not have active trains anymore, but they are still special landmarks. Leadville is one of those towns with old train stations that are still standing. These depots show us what the mining and railroad days were like and help people remember the work that shaped these mountain towns.
Heritage Lines and Train Museums for Travelers
To really see Colorado’s railroad history, you need to ride on one of these heritage lines. The trains here run mostly for fun now. They use old steam and diesel engines, and you get to see some of the best views from these rides.
At many depots, you will also find a good train museum. These places keep old trains, train cars, and other items. They help you learn about what it took to build the railroads through the mountains. These museums are great for families and anyone who likes history.
Think about adding these Colorado trips to your plans:
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Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Take a well-known steam train through the San Juan Mountains.
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Royal Gorge Route Railroad: Ride and look out at amazing sights from inside a deep, 1,250-foot canyon.
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Colorado Railroad Museum: Go see this top museum in Golden where they keep and share a big part of colorado railroad history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people who travel want to know what makes train stations in Colorado special. Denver Union Station is a big highlight. It mixes history, culture, and it is easy to use. If you are heading to Winter Park Resort, the Winter Park Express is a good choice. You get amazing views of the Rocky Mountains, and it connects you to ski spots with no hassle. Baggage services at Amtrak stations like Fort Morgan and Colorado Springs help out a lot. They make taking care of your luggage easy. If you need more details, you can always email for help!
Which Colorado cities have passenger train stations?
Several cities in Colorado have Amtrak passenger train stations. The main stops on the California Zephyr line are Denver, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, and Fraser/Winter Park. There are also Amtrak stations in Trinidad, La Junta, and Lamar on the Southwest Chief route in the southern part of the state.
Are there train stations in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs has a nice old train station called the Denver & Rio Grande Depot. But now, people cannot catch Amtrak trains there. Today, the building has restaurants and offices inside. If you want to use Amtrak in Colorado, the closest big train station is Denver Union Station. You can get there in about an hour and a half by going north from Colorado Springs. Denver Union Station is the main place to catch the train in the area.
Can you travel between Colorado cities by train?
You can go between many Colorado cities by train. Amtrak has the California Zephyr. It runs from Denver Union Station to Fraser/Winter Park, Granby, Glenwood Springs, and Grand Junction. This train line gives you a nice view of the Rocky Mountains. It is also a good and easy way to travel, with known travel times for each stop.
Conclusion
To sum up, Colorado’s train stations have a lot to offer. You get a mix of old stories, great views, and easy ways to travel. Places like Denver Union Station stand out, but small stations in towns like Durango and Leadville are also special. Every spot gives you a new way to see the state’s amazing sights and friendly towns.
It’s good to know about passenger services. These cover Amtrak routes and local trains. This helps you get more out of your trip and find many places to go. No matter if you are from Colorado or just visiting, using the rail network is a great choice. You will get the chance to go on trips you remember for a long time.
So, don’t wait. Start planning your trip by train to see all the good things in Colorado. Places like union station and denver union station are ready to welcome you. Enjoy your time with Amtrak trains and travel across denver and beyond.