The C Line was a light rail line, part of the rail system operated by the Regional Transportation District in the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area in Colorado.

C Line
 C 
Old alignment near Union Station
Overview
StatusDiscontinued
OwnerRegional Transportation District
LocaleDenver metropolitan area
Termini
Stations12
Service
TypeLight Rail
SystemRTD Rail
Operator(s)Regional Transportation District
History
OpenedApril 5, 2002 (2002-04-05)
ClosedJanuary 10, 2021 (2021-01-10)
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line750 V DC
Route map
Map
C Line highlighted in orange
Union Station
Amtrak  A  B  G  N 
 E  W 
Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens
Empower Field at Mile High
Auraria West
 W 
 D  F  H 
10th & Osage
Alameda
I-25 & Broadway
 E  F  H 
Evans
Englewood
Oxford–City of Sheridan
Littleton–Downtown
Littleton–Mineral  D 

History

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The line was added to the system on April 5, 2002, to coincide with the opening of the Central Platte Valley Spur. Initially, C trains operated seven days a week, but ran to Littleton–Mineral station only during peak hours and sporting events. At all other times, C service operated to I-25/Broadway.

On May 3, 2003, C trains began operating to Littleton–Mineral station at all times.

With the opening of the Southeast Corridor on November 17, 2006, weekend C service was discontinued except for certain sporting events, with the new E line operating seven days per week.

On January 11, 2009, the midday service pattern between Union Station and I-25/Broadway was resumed and evening service discontinued.

Midday weekday service was discontinued on January 19, 2012 and was reinstated on August 17, 2014 over the entire route.

The C Line was suspended on January 10, 2021 as part of broader service cuts in response to ridership decreases related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The line never returned to service and was officially eliminated ahead of the January 2023 service change.[2]

Stations

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The C Line's northern terminus was at Union Station in Denver, ran on a railroad right-of-way south to its junction with the D Line at 10th & Osage Station, and shared track with the D Line until both lines reach their southern terminus at Mineral Avenue in Littleton.[3]

In addition, the C Line provided access to the sports venues of Denver – Coors Field, Pepsi Center, and Broncos Stadium at Mile HighSix Flags Elitch Gardens, and LoDo, as well as access to the western portion of the Auraria Campus.

Station Municipality Opening
date
Interchange
Union Station Denver April 5, 2002    A  B  E  G  N  W 
  California Zephyr
  MallRide
  Flatiron Flyer
Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens    E  W 
Empower Field at Mile High    E  W 
Auraria West    E  W 
10th & Osage October 8, 1994    D  E  F  H 
Alameda    D  E  F  H 
Park and ride: 240 spaces
I-25 & Broadway    D  E  F  H 
Park and ride: 1,248 spaces
Evans July 14, 2000    D 
Park and ride: 99 spaces
Englewood Englewood    D 
Park and ride: 910 spaces
Oxford–City of Sheridan Sheridan    D 
Littleton–Downtown Littleton    D 
Park and ride: 361 spaces
Littleton–Mineral    D 
Park and ride: 1,227 spaces

FasTracks

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The 2004 voter approved FasTracks plan will add 2.5 mi (4.02 km) to the Southwest Corridor (C Line and D Line). It will also add a station with 1,000 parking spots at C-470 and Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch. There may also be a station at C-470 and Santa Fe Boulevard.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Richards, Makayla (10 January 2021). "RTD service changes take effect Sunday". 9News. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  2. ^ Murray, Jon (2022-12-14). "RTD is officially killing its C and F lines after suspending them during the pandemic". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  3. ^ "RTD – Light Rail System Map". Regional Transportation District. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  4. ^ "Fastracks – Southwest Corridor". Regional Transportation District. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
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