Lauren Boebert Wants DOGE To Cut New Train Line Funding
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Representative Lauren Boebert is urging the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reconsider federal funding for Colorado's proposed Front Range Passenger Rail, calling the billion-dollar plan costly and unwelcome in parts of her district.
In a letter addressed to DOT Secretary Sean Duffy and DOGE head Elon Musk, Boebert criticized the multibillion-dollar project for diverting federal resources that she said would provide little benefit to many Coloradans.
"It's clear there are serious concerns with the Front Range Passenger Rail proposal that will harm our community's quality of life and cost hundreds of millions in state and federal funds," Boebert said in a statement. "Our nation owes more than $36 trillion in debt, and we simply cannot afford spending resources on projects that will not benefit most Coloradans."
Why It Matters
The proposed Front Range Passenger Rail would connect Pueblo to Fort Collins along the Interstate 25 corridor, serving urban hubs, including Colorado Springs and Denver.
With costs projected at roughly $3.2 billion, the project is being pitched as a long-term solution to traffic congestion and pollution across one of Colorado's fastest-growing regions.
But Boebert and local GOP legislators see it as a misuse of federal resources, warning of low ridership, excessive delays and a mismatch with rural transportation needs.
Lauren Boebert is seen on May 16, 2024 in New York City.
Lauren Boebert is seen on May 16, 2024 in New York City.
Andrea Renault/Star Max/GC Images
What To Know
The rail would use existing freight corridors, with a target completion year of 2035, according to the Denver Post. Colorado's Legislature established the Front Range Passenger Rail District in 2021 through Senate Bill 238, enabling the group to pursue ballot measures for funding.
"Federal transportation investments should be made with fiscal responsibility, accountability, and respect for the rights of American citizens," Boebert wrote in her letter to DOGE. "The FRPR project fails to meet such fundamental standards, and I urge your offices to take immediate action to protect taxpayers and property owners from unnecessary government spending and overreach."
Skeptics, including transportation economist Randal O'Toole, also warn that the rail's economic case is weak.
"The benefit is to political egos. That's it," O'Toole said in an interview with 5280 Magazine.
He predicted that the project could cost up to $20 billion once fully implemented and would fail to deliver the promised ridership gains.
What People Are Saying
Republican State Representative Max Brooks said in a statement: "Douglas County shouldn't be forced to bankroll a train we didn't ask for. I fully support efforts to reevaluate and halt unnecessary spending on the Front Range Passenger Rail."
Republican State Representative Anthony Hartsook said in a statement: "Colorado does not need—and cannot afford—a Front Range passenger rail system. Investing in better roads would reduce traffic congestion and cut down on pollution."
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "Rep. Boebert's request for DOGE to look into Colorado's Front Range Passenger Rail reflects general disillusionment legislators have at the federal level with these major rail projects at a state level. We've seen other states scale back or completely cancel similar projects due to the sheer cost involved, the extensive time commitment, and fears the results may not be as popular with state residents as originally thought."
Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com, told Newsweek: "Given that 27 percent of her district is rural, concerns about eminent domain are likely being raised by her constituents. Eminent domain is a powerful and often controversial tool, and residents may be worried about the federal government seizing private land for a project they don't fully understand or support."
What Happens Next
The Front Range Passenger Rail District is expected to complete its Service Development Plan by 2029, the deadline set by Colorado lawmakers.
A new ballot measure to fund the project could go before voters as early as 2026.
Boebert's call to reevaluate funding may complicate federal support as Congress navigates budget negotiations and watchdog oversight.
Further public and environmental reviews, as mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act, will have to be conducted. With logistical and political roadblocks mounting, the train's future—and the funding it relies on—remains far from guaranteed.
"Will DOGE listen? Possibly," Thompson said. "Her request aligns with DOGE's stated goal of rooting out wasteful government spending. If the project has become unpopular or inefficient, it may be flagged as an example of unnecessary spending."
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