Political Pressure Reinvigorates B Line Extension Plans in Colorado

The CEO of the Regional Transportation District speculated recently about whether a planned extension of the B Line to Boulder was necessary or desirable. The governor doesn't think the speculation was necessary or desirable.

1 minute read

February 11, 2021, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Denver Regional Transit

A G Line train at Union Station in Denver. | jenlo8 / Shutterstock

"The Regional Transportation District is drawing up plans to kickstart its dormant Boulder and Longmont rail project," reports Nathaniel Minor.

The project would extend the B Line 41 miles from Denver to Boulder and Longmont, according to Minor. The B Line currently only reaches Westminster.

CEO and General Manager Debra Johnson announced the rebirth of the project at a special RTD board meeting this week, after Colorado Governor Jared Polis criticized RTDs lack of progress on the project after Johnson recently made comments questioning whether the project should move forward.

According to a separate article by John Aguilar, Gov. Polis spoke to the board meeting, saying that the projected completion date—20 years from now—is not "a legitimate date for discussion."

Now RTD is committed to delivering an accelerated plan for development in 60 days.

The B Line extension is a component of the 2004 FasTracks regional transit expansion plan, "which has resulted in a half-dozen new rail lines and a speedy bus line across the metro since then," according to Minor. Most recently, the N Line opened commuter rail service on a pandemic-subdued day in September 2020.

See also: Previous Planetizen coverage of the FasTracks program. 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 in CPR News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight