The final stage of the I-70 Mountain Express proposal pulls Grand County into the spotlight. This wide-ranging project, envisioned by Denver-based STE-Holdings, could include a hydrogen-powered railway running from Golden to Breckenridge and Winter Park. Let's delve into the details of this ambitious plan and its potential impact on the region.
Eisenhower Tunnel, a key transportation artery in Colorado
The Vision
“We think this is a very transformative project for Colorado,” STE-Holding’s cofounder Dave Ruble said as he presented the plan at the Dec. 9 Grand County Board of Commissioners meeting. Each stage would send hydrogen-powered train lines, canopied by solar panels, to Colorado mountain towns. STE-Holdings projects nearly 2.7 million riders a year on the Winter Park extension. Ruble drew this number from CDOT’s traffic counts of about 8,000 vehicles per day traveling between Empire and Winter Park. The proposal also envisions about 5,000 new dwelling units near Grand County stations.
Projected Ridership
Ruble projects annual ridership of nearly 13 million passengers. He added that he expects rail fares would be modest: $5 from Golden to Blackhawk, and $15 from Breckenridge to Denver.
Funding Model
Funding the proposed project would not rely on taxpayer dollars. STE-Holdings instead plans to fund the entire $12 billion system through solar energy revenue.
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Phases of the Project
STE-Holdings’ plans show the project unfolding in six phases. Phase 6 of the plan would connect Interstate 70 with Grand County through a green-energy rail line.
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STE-Holdings: Background and Experience
The company began in 2015 as Rocky Mountain Rail before rebranding. While STE-Holdings has not completed any rail projects since its formation, Ruble said it has spent the past decade developing a viable funding model.
Impact on Ski Communities
Ellis noted that the housing component could be especially impactful for ski towns struggling to retain workers. “Affordable housing is a pretty key part of their proposal,” Ellis said. He pointed out that by focusing on the benefits the plan could have for ski communities, STE-Holdings may have a better chance of overcoming legislative barriers.
Challenges and Hurdles
Grand County Commissioner Randal George said the proposal struck him as both exciting and uncertain. “It’s an ambitious project that would be fantastic if they were able to pull it off,” he said, noting that STE‑Holdings isn’t asking the county for funding. He added that the company faces “some pretty good‑size hurdles,” especially its need to sign up hundreds of thousands of homeowners for its solar‑energy program.
Land Acquisition
Land is the most immediate challenge. The financing model depends on installing nearly half a million solar panels on homes and businesses across Colorado.
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Technology Approval
Technology approval is another barrier. “The trains are run by electric motors, but that electricity is produced by hydrogen instead of diesel,” STE-Holdings cofounder R. Paul Williamson explained at the meeting.
Overcoming the Status Quo
Ellis added that the most significant obstacles are not scientific. “One of the biggest problems with any new technology is fighting the status quo,” Ellis said. “We can solve the problems.
Environmental and Logistical Challenges
The proposed rail line’s location along I‑70 also adds complexity. The corridor is already crowded with highway lanes, rivers and steep terrain. Then there is the production of hydrogen itself. “We’ll build enough solar power generation to make the hydrogen ourselves,” Ruble said.
Hydrogen Production Methods
Political Approval
Even though the rail would be privately funded, political approval looms over the project. Environmental reviews, land-use permits and coordination with existing rail operators will all require political will. “I really want to make Colorado a better place,” Ruble said.
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The first bore of the Eisenhower Tunnel opened in 1973, cutting commute times to Summit County and reshaping the region.
Sky-Hi News is the premier source for news and information in Grand County, published every Wednesday and Friday, serving the towns of Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs and Kremmling. Its coverage area includes Winter Park Resort, the Fraser Valley mountain biking trail system and the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake.
| Route | Fare | Annual Ridership (Winter Park Extension) |
|---|---|---|
| Golden to Blackhawk | $5 | 2.7 million |
| Breckenridge to Denver | $15 |