Making Tracks

Though the RMRA plans to look at the products of General Atomics, Stadler and Colorado Railcar, it's not closing the door to other alternatives. Ultimately, the group envisions the state putting out a bid to vehicle manufacturers after a rail system has been approved.

Colorado Department of Transportation Region I director Jeff Kullman says the agency can preserve a corridor for transit along I-70 without defining the technology. "We're certainly going to give it some characteristics," he says. "For example, it's got to be kind of monorail-like and high-speed. But we believe the decision for the final technology needs to be made when the funding is available. Let's assume that's ten years from now.

"A lot is going to change in ten years -- especially in the area of technology."