Two of Colorado’s biggest cities, about seventy miles apart on the same interstate, and not a single passenger train between them. Freight trains use the corridor all day. People just aren’t aboard.
So what does everybody do?
They take Bustang. The state-run intercity bus runs its South Line between Denver Union Station and downtown Colorado Springs several times a day, stopping at spots like Monument and a Park-n-Ride up by Woodmen Road. You get reclining seats, Wi-Fi, outlets and a fare that won’t sting, and the ride takes about as long as driving. One heads up, though. The Springs end moved to the downtown transit terminal a while back, so older directions that send you to the Tejon Park-n-Ride are out of date.
They drive I-25. Figure an hour and a quarter when traffic cooperates. The slowdowns tend to happen around Castle Rock and up over Monument Hill, which also collects snow in winter like it’s getting paid to. If you’re picking up a rental for the trip, our notes on renting a car in Denver apply here too.
They wait for the train. The Front Range Passenger Rail District is planning a line that would eventually connect Fort Collins, Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. The plan starts with the Denver to Fort Collins stretch, and the Springs come later once funding is lined up. Keep an eye on it, but don’t plan this weekend around it.
Lots of people make this run all the time, for work, family or a new job down south. If you’re one of the folks moving to the Springs, our team also helps with health coverage in the Springs once you’re settled.