DENVER (April 6, 2026) ~ Denver, CO - After receiving nearly 26,000 votes from Coloradans, the Front Range Passenger Rail District and Governor Jared Polis have announced the official name for the future Front Range passenger rail service: Colorado Connector, or "CoCo." The public naming contest, which invited residents across the state to help choose the name of the express intercity train that will connect communities along the Front Range starting in 2029, generated a strong statewide response.

The campaign saw Coloradans submitting videos, sharing posts on social media, and encouraging friends and neighbors to vote for their favorite option. Among the four finalists, Colorado Connector ("CoCo") emerged as the clear favorite with over 9,500 votes. This name reflects both the purpose of the train - linking communities and expanding mobility - as well as a broader vision for transportation in Colorado based on connection and accessibility.

Governor Polis expressed his excitement about the winning name, stating that it "reflects exactly what this train is about: bringing communities together and creating a faster, cleaner and more convenient way to travel across our state." He also noted that nearly 26,000 Coloradans participated in naming the train, showing their enthusiasm for modern passenger rail along the Front Range.

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At a press conference announcing the winning name, Cora Zaletel and Tyler Shown spoke about their submission of a video explaining why they voted for Colorado Connector. The couple's video was chosen as the winning entry.

Sal Pace, general manager of the Front Range Passenger Rail District, also shared his thoughts on the chosen name. "This name reflects both the communities this train will connect and the promise of the service we're building for them," he said. "After years of planning and study, we are seeing real momentum - bringing us closer to a train Coloradans will be able to ride in just a few years."

The other three finalists included Front Range Express Destinations ("FRED"), Colorado Ranger, and RangeLink. However, they received significantly fewer votes than Colorado Connector, with FRED coming in second with over 8,800 votes.

The "Name the Train" campaign was launched by the District to encourage public participation as planning for Front Range passenger rail continues. In addition to voting, residents were also invited to share videos explaining their choice and encouraging others to participate. This outreach effort helped generate strong engagement across the state and raise awareness of the project.

With the winning name now announced, excitement is building for the future of passenger rail in Colorado. The Colorado Connector will not only provide a faster and more convenient way to travel between cities along the Front Range but also symbolize a vision for a connected and accessible transportation system in the state.

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