Colorado Railroad HERITAGE WEEK
Celebrating Colorado’s Rich Railroad Heritage • June 18th-24th, 2023
What is Colorado Railroad Heritage Week?
More than any other undertaking, railroads have transformed Colorado from a wild, isolated, sparsely populated and geographically challenging territory into a booming state filled with agriculture, extractive industries, manufacturing and large cities filled with arts and culture. To recognize this fact, the Colorado Railroad Museum is spearheading efforts each year to have Colorado’s Governor declare the last week of June to be Colorado Railroad Heritage Week.
Click here to read the full Proclamation!
Why this week? The first train arrived in Denver on June 24, 1870, accompanied by great celebration. Within just a few decades more than 2,000 miles of railroad tracks had been constructed along gorges, across roaring rivers, through tunnels and over high mountain passes until they reached almost every corner of the state. In May 2022, Colorado was recognized by the readers of USA Today for having four of the top 10 most scenic rail roads in the nation (No 1, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad; No. 2, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad; No. 7, Georgetown Loop Railroad; and No. 10, Pikes Peak Cog Railroad).
“Few places in the world have as colorful a railroading history as Colorado, and this state has done a tremendous job of preserving that history for the enjoyment of residents and visitors,” said Paul Hammond, executive director of the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. “We hope Railroad Heritage Week will be a time for Coloradans to reflect on all that railroads have meant to our state, and make plans to ride an historic train or visit a rail heritage site or museum.”
Offers, Events, Promotions and Exhibits Throughout Colorado:
Ridgway Railroad Museum
FREE RIDES ON:
Gallopin Goose #4
Motor #1
CW Engine with Caboose in Tow!
Every Friday & Saturday morning.
Contact: forrestbault@gmail.com
Address: 200 N Railroad Ave. Ridgway, CO 81432
Colorado Railroad Museum
10% discount on our latest publication, “Tin Feathers, Wooden Trestles & Iron Men” covering the history of the unique Rio Grande Southern “Galloping Goose” Motorcars.
Contact: scott@crrm.org
Address: 17155 W. 44th Ave. Golden, CO 80226
Forney Museum Of Transportation
Special scavenger hunts and crafts! Videos and games all centered around trains!
6/23: Big Boy train open and available for anyone who wants to explore!
(The Moffit modelers will also be open one day during this week)
Anyone who mentions CO Heritage Rail Week, CRR Museum or Moffit will get $2.00 0ff admission the week of June 18-24!
Contact: education@forneymuseum.org
Address: 4303 Brighton Blvd. Denver, CO 80216
Denver Trolley
Join The Denver Trolley for Riverfront Rides on: 6/18, 6/19, 6/22, 6/23, and 6/24.
*The Trolley does NOT operate on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Denver Trolley departs from REI every 30 minutes from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. with stops at the Downtown Aquarium, Children’s Museum, and Broncos Bridge near Empower Field at Mile High and Meow Wolf.
Join us for a round-trip ride and historical narration!
Contact: info@denvertrolley.org
Address: 1400 Water Street
Denver, CO 80202
Pueblo Railway Museum
Train rides on Father’s Day Saturday, June 17, from 10am-2pm behind the Pueblo Union Depot.
Locomotive Ride: $15
Caboose Ride: $10
Kids under 3 years old FREE.
Cash/check only. Purchase tickets during the event at our Gift Shop caboose near where the trains depart.
Contact: email@pueblorailway.org
Address: 200 West B Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
Leadville Railroad
Join us on the Leadville Railroad for an unforgettable journey through the Rocky Mountains. Relax and take in the beautiful scenery while spending time with friends and family.
We are offering a discount code for 15% off of our regularly scheduled train rides!
CODE: DAD23
Contact: marketing@leadvillerailroad.com
Address:326 E. 7th St.
Leadville, CO 80461
Learn About the Various Railroads of the Month on Instagram:
ABOUT THE COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM:
Consistently ranked by Visit Denver as one of the top 10 attractions in the city, the Colorado Railroad Museum features the most comprehensive collection of railroad history in the state with more than 100 narrow- and standard-gauge steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses and freight cars. Located on a spectacular 15-acre site in Clear Creek Valley in Golden, CO, the museum has a half mile circle of operating track offering weekend train rides, along with a working roundhouse and turntable, railroad library, exhibition galleries, outdoor pavilion, and a huge indoor HO model railroad and outdoor G-scale garden railway. The Colorado Railroad Museum offers interactive family fun mixed with authentic Colorado railroad history.
