PRESERVING FOR THE FUTURE
The D&RG right of way was purchased for a trail and to preserve it for use as a mass transit corridor in the future.  The Corridor Investment Study of 2003 indicates it will be needed in 2020, if not sooner, to relieve SH82 congestion.  A recently released Healthy Mountain Communities reports draws the same conclusion.  In the meantime the corridor must be reserved for that purpose.

The alignment of the future transit route from Glenwood Springs to Catherine Store coincides with the current rail roadbed and is on  the CIS preferred alignment.  Building a trail on any portion of this roadbed means it will have to be moved and rebuilt in the future.  Think of the cost in terms of 2020 dollars, particularly if it is the ultimate trail.

If the rails are removed, trail enthusiasts and adjacent homeowners will never permit the 'rail banked' right of way to be returned to mass transit use without a fight.  Of the many rails to trails projects in the United States, none are known to have returned to share rail.

Even if not used for an excursion train, the rails can be used to provide 'speeder' tours and provide a feel for the history of rails in the valley.  Leaving the rails in place is a reminder they have been 'rail banked' and of the future purpose of the corridor.  And the trail won't have to be moved when this happens.