Colorado Railroads (Colorado)

Last Updated: September 24, 2023, 4:37 pm

Known railroads and their operations for Colorado are listed here. Subdivisions that cross state lines will only contain information and GPS ranges to approximately the state line to prevent unnecessary overlap.

Due to operational changes, mergers and general changes, some railroad radio channels may be reused by the same or adjacent railroads. However, if using RadioReference aware scanners or software, you can reduce seeing or duplicating this information by scanning just the subdivisions or locations that you are interested in.

Railroads are listed by size starting with the largest and ending with historical/tourist operations and in alphabetical order.

Passenger operations can be heard on the respective railroad they are operating on unless passenger stations have specific radio assignments.

Short alpha names are comprised of the railroads AAR reporting mark, AAR channel number and subdivision or major use function. The description field will contain actual use or location information to provide the best possible information for various scanners, users and readability.

Frequencies

BNSF Railway

Denver Terminal
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF66 Prospect Prospect Jct between 20th St and Englewood FMN Railroad
161.295 RM CSQ BNSF79 31/38 Yrd 31st and 38th Street Yards FMN Railroad
161.280 BM CSQ BNSF78 Den Yd Information Channel FMN Railroad
160.575 BM CSQ BNSF31 MOW Mechanical and MOW FMN Railroad
161.250 BM CSQ BNSF76 IndusSwtc Industry Switching FMN Railroad
160.695 BM CSQ BNSF39 Road/Ops Operations, Mainline for through trains 20th - 48th St FMN Railroad
160.590 BM CSQ BNSF32 Crew Van Crew Vans FMN Railroad
Akron Subdivision
MP 453 (East Brush, CO) to MP 289 (Culbertson, NE)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF66 Akron Brush to Pinneo FMN Railroad
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF70 Akron Pinneo to McCook NE FMN Railroad
Boise City Subdivision
MP 555 (La Junta) to MP 0.0 (BC Junction)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.190 BM CSQ BNSF72 Boise La Junta to BC Juntion FMN Railroad
160.800 BM CSQ BNSF46 Julrd Julliard Yard FMN Railroad
Brush Subdivision
MP 541 (Denver) to MP 115 (Sterling)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF66 Brush 20th St Denver to Brush Center FMN Railroad
160.305 BM CSQ BNSF13 Brush Brush Center to Sterling FMN Railroad
160.695 BM CSQ BNSF39 StYrd Sterling Yard FMN Railroad
160.710 BM CSQ BNSF40 StSwt Sterling Yard Switching FMN Railroad
Front Range Subdivision
MP 0.0 (Denver) to MP 240 (Wendover, WY)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.695 BM CSQ BNSF39 FrtRn Denver Union Station to Utah Jct FMN Railroad
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF70 FrtRn Utah Jct to Wendover WY FMN Railroad
Golden Subdivison
MP 5 (C&S Junction) to MP 14 (Golden)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF70 Goldn C&S Junction to Golden FMN Railroad
La Junta Subdivision
MP 555 (La Junta, CO) to MP 125 (Ellinor, KS)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.455 BM CSQ BNSF23 La Junta La Junta to Ellinor KS FMN Railroad
160.245 RM CSQ BNSF09 PBX PBX Lamar FMN Railroad
452.900WQWL656 RM 123.0 PL Road Repeater Road Repeater (Hasty MOW) FMN Railroad
Pikes Peak Subdivision
MP 0.0 (Denver) to MP 120 (Pueblo Junction)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF66 Pikes 20th Street to Englewood FMN Railroad
160.650 BM CSQ BNSF36 Pikes Englewood to Pueblo Junction FMN Railroad
Pueblo Subdivision
MP 555 (La Junta) to MP 618 (Pueblo)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.650 BM CSQ BNSF36 Puebl La Junta to Pueblo Junction FMN Railroad
161.040 BM CSQ BNSF PBX BNSF PBX FMN Railroad
160.560 BM CSQ BNSF30 Yard Yard FMN Railroad
160.935 BM CSQ BNSF55 Yard Yard FMN Railroad
161.010 BM CSQ BNSF60 Yard Yard FMN Railroad
Raton Subdivision
MP 555 (La Junta, CO) to MP 770 (Las Vegas, NM)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.590 BM CSQ BNSF32 Raton La Junta to Las Vegas NM FMN Railroad
Spanish Peaks Subdivision
MP 208 (Trinidad) to MP 120 (Pueblo)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF66 Spnsh Trinidad to Salt Creek FMN Railroad
160.650 BM CSQ BNSF36 Spnsh Salt Creek to Pueblo Yard FMN Railroad
160.920 BM CSQ BNSF54 Spnsh Southern Jct to Wallensburg (Tk1-UP) FMN Railroad
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF70 Spnsh Comanche Power Plant FMN Railroad
Twin Peaks Subdivision

MP 208 (Trinidad, CO) to MP 347 (Sixela, TX)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ BNSF66 Twin Trinidad to Beshoar FMN Railroad
161.160 BM CSQ BNSF70 Twin Beshoar to Sixela TX FMN Railroad

Union Pacific Railroad

Denver Terminal
Denver Yards - North Yard and 36th Street Yard

Trains into and out of the Denver complex to various subdivisions can be heard on these channels until they are on their respective subdivisions

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.550 BM CSQ UP96 Den Road Denver Area Mainlines FMN Railroad
160.470 BM CSQ UP24 DenRd Swtch Denver Area Road Switching FMN Railroad
160.320 BM CSQ UP14 DenBeltLine Denver Belt Line FMN Railroad
161.415 BM CSQ UP87 Fuel Rack Fuel Rack FMN Railroad
160.755 BM CSQ UP43 North Yard North Yard FMN Railroad
160.515 BM CSQ UP27 36th Yard 36th Street Yard FMN Railroad
160.395 RM CSQ UP19 36th St UPS 36th Street UPS Train Switching FMN Railroad
Colorado Springs Subdivision
MP 1 (Prospect Junction/Denver) to MP 118 (Pueblo Junction). UP operates on BNSF trackage rights - see BNSF Pikes Peak Subdivision

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.920 BM CSQ UP54 CoSprgs Denver to Pueblo Junction FMN Railroad
160.455 BM CSQ UP23 CoSprgs Pueblo Junction to Pueblo Yard FMN Railroad
Craig Subdivision
MP 168 (Phippsburg) to MP 2 (Craig). MP 230 is at Evans and resets to MP 0 towads Axial

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 Craig Phippsburg FMN Railroad
161.565 BM CSQ UP97 Craig W Phippsburg to Craig & Energy FMN Railroad
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 Craig Craig to Axial FMN Railroad
160.455 BM CSQ UP23 Craig Coal loading FMN Railroad
Fort Collins Subdivision
MP 0 (La Salle) to MP 35 (Fort Collins)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.145 BM CSQ UP69 FtColli La Salle to Fort Collins FMN Railroad
160.410 BM CSQ UP20 FtColli Fort Collins Switching FMN Railroad
Glenwood Springs Subdivision
MP 128 (Bond) to MP 450 (Grand Junction)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.920 BM CSQ UP54 Glenwod Bond to Glenwood FMN Railroad
160.455 BM CSQ UP23 Glenwod Glenwood to Grand Junction FMN Railroad
161.235 RM CSQ UP PBX UP PBX FMN Railroad
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 GJ Yard Grand Junction Yard FMN Railroad
160.740 BM CSQ UP42 GJ Yd Lead Grand Junction Yard Lead FMN Railroad
161.100 BM CSQ UP66 BNSF Local Grand Junction Yard - BNSF Local FMN Railroad
Greeley Subdivision
MP 0 (Denver Union Terminal) to MP 98 (Speer Junction, WY)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 Greeley Denver to North Hazeltine FMN Railroad
161.145 BM CSQ UP69 Greeley North Hazeltine to Speer FMN Railroad
160.410 BM CSQ UP20 La Salle Yd La Salle Yard FMN Railroad
Green River Subdivision
MP 450 (Grand Junction, CO) to MP 626 (Helper, UT)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.920 BM CSQ UP54 GrnRvr Grand Junction to Helper UT FMN Railroad
Limon Subdivision
MP 637 (Pullman Junction/Denver, CO) to MP 429 (Sharon Springs, KS)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 Limon Pullman Jct to West Byers FMN Railroad
160.710 BM CSQ UP40 Limon West Byers to Sharon Springs FMN Railroad
160.740 BM CSQ UP42 Yard Sharon Springs Yard FMN Railroad
Moffat Subdivision
MP 0 (Denver Union Terminal) to MP 168 (Phippsburg)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.100 BM CSQ UP66 Moffat Denver to Prospect FMN Railroad
160.320 BM CSQ UP14 Moffat Prospect to MP 17 FMN Railroad
160.455 BM CSQ UP23 Moffat MP 17 to East Portal FMN Railroad
161.565 RM CSQ UP97 Moffat East Portal to Winter Park FMN Railroad
160.920 BM CSQ UP54 Moffat Winter Park to Bond FMN Railroad
160.320 BM CSQ UP14 Moffat Bond to Phippsburg FMN Railroad
160.725KCE616 BM CSQ UP41 Moffat MOW MP17 to East Portal FMN Railroad
160.605WNFX999 BM CSQ UP33 Moffat MOW Winter Park to Bond FMN Railroad
North Fork Subdivision
MP 0.3 (Grand Junction) to MP 95 (Hawksnest)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.550 BM CSQ UP96 N Fork Hawksnest to Grand Junction FMN Railroad
Tennessee Pass Subdivision
MP 118 (Pueblo Junction) to MP 341 (Dotsero). Main track is out of service between MP 171 (Parkdale) and MP 335 (Gypsum). UP operates over the Royal Gorge Route Railroad between Canon City and Parkdale

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 TenPass Pueblo to Canon City FMN Railroad
160.590 BM CSQ UP32 TenPass Canon City to Parkdale FMN Railroad
160.920 BM CSQ UP54 TenPass Sage to Dotsero FMN Railroad
Walsenburg Subdivison
MP 119 (Pueblo) to MP 180 (SP Junction). UP operates on BNSF trackage rights between MP 123 (Southern Junction) to BNSF MP 170 (Walsenburg).

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.455 BM CSQ UP23 Walsenb Pueblo to Southern Junction FMN Railroad
161.490 BM CSQ UP92 Walsenb Southern Junction to Walsenburg TK1 FMN Railroad

Amtrak

Denver Union Station

Amtrak Southwest Chief (Train 3/4) operates on the BNSF La Junta & Raton Subdivsions

Amtrak California Zephyr  (Train 5/6) operates:
East of Denver on the BNSF Akron & Brush Subdivisions
West of Denver on the UP Moffat & Green River Subdivisions
(If rerouted through Wyoming: UP Greeley Sub in Colorado and Laramie, Rawlins and Evanston Subs in Wyoming)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.550 BM CSQ AMTK-96 Station and Onboard Operations FMN Railroad

Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad

Operations

The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad is a 2 ft narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates seasonal tourist trains between Cripple Creek and the city's outskirts to the south. The railroad uses a revitalized section of the original Midland Terminal Railway and the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad.

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
452.325WNJR237 RM CSQ CC Victor Rail Operations FMN Railroad

Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

Operations

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad operates between Antonito CO and Chama NM

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.305WQFC502 BM CTSR 319 Ops Operations NXDN48 Railroad
161.505WQFC502 BM CTSR 479 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
161.505WQFC502 RM 22 RAN CTSR93 West West Repeater NXDN48 Railroad
160.485WQFC502 RM 22 RAN CTSR25 East East Repeater NXDN48 Railroad
160.845WQFC502 M 88.5 PL CTSR49 Yard CTSR Yard/Switching FMN Railroad
452.825WQFC502 RM 22 RAN CTSR UHF Link Cumbres Pass Link NXDN48 Railroad

Denver Rock Island Railroad

Operations

The Denver Rock Island Railroad is located in Commerce City and provides switching services from three yards: North Washington Park, Stockyards, and Airlawn

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
152.960WQEG648 RM 192.8 PL DRIR Operations DRIR Operations FMN Railroad
153.425WQEG648 RM 69.3 PL DRIR Operations DRIR Operations FMN Railroad
160.260WQEG648 BM CSQ DRIR10 Ops DRIR Operations FMN Railroad
160.305WQEG648 BM CSQ DRIR13 Ops DRIR Operations FMN Railroad

Denver RTD

Operations
State of Colorado DTRS
Project 25 Phase I
Denver RTD Light Rail and Denver RTD FasTracks operates on DTRS

Deseret Power Railroad

Operations

The Deseret Power Railroad exists only to transport coal from the co-operative's Deserado Coal Mine located northeast of Rangely, Colorado and south of Dinosaur, Colorado to their 400 MW Bonanza Power Plant located northwest of Bonanza, Utah. It has no connection to any other railroad. The power plant is located at MP 34

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
452.000KNBP917 RM 167.9 PL DPR 3 Channel 3 (MP 7 to MP 34) FMN Railroad
451.975KNBP917 RM 167.9 PL DPR 5 Channel 5 (MP 0 to MP 7) FMN Railroad

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Operations

The historic Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is located in southwest Colorado, in Durango

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.860KNCL501 BM 223 DPL DSNG50 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
161.295KNCL501 BM 223 DPL DSNG79 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Georgetown Loop Railroad

Operations

The Gerogetown Loop Railroad is located in Georgetown

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.425WQES684 BM CSQ GLRR21 Road Road FMN Railroad
161.115WQES684 BM CSQ GLRR67 Yard Yard FMN Railroad

Great Western Railway of Colorado

Operations

The Great Western Railway operates in Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland, Kelim and Milliken. The railroad comprises of the Longmont Subdivision, Greely Subdivision and the Loveland Branch. Channel 3 (BNSF 070) and Channel 4 (UP 069) are used when needed to cross those railroads

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.260WQJQ865 BM CSQ GWR 10 Channel 1 FMN Railroad
160.620WQJQ865 BM CSQ GWR 34 Channel 2 FMN Railroad
161.550WQJQ865 BM CSQ GWR 96 Channel 5 FMN Railroad
160.785WQJQ865 BM CSQ GWR 45 Sand Halliburton Sand Plant FMN Railroad
160.965WQJQ865 BM CSQ GWR 57 Shutt Windsor Shuttle FMN Railroad

Hudson Terminal Railroad

Hudson Terminal
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
451.500WQSE852 RM 162 DPL Hudson Terminal Hudson Terminal Railroad FMN Railroad

Kyle Railroad

Operations

The Kyle Railroad is a short-line railroad that runs from North Central Kansas to Limon, Colorado

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.440 BM CSQ KYLE22 Road Road FMN Railroad
160.275 BM CSQ KYLE11 Yard Yard/Switching FMN Railroad

Leadville Colorado Southern Railroad

Operations

The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad is located in Leadville

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.295WPHS397 BM 97.4 PL LCSR79 Ops Operations FMN Railroad
160.380WPHS397 BM CSQ LCSR18 On board announcements FMN Railroad

Nebraska Kansas Colorado Railway

Operations
Nebraska, Kansas & Colorado Railway operates between Sterling Colorado to Holdrege NE via Holyoke Colorado

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.560WQRY592 M CSQ NKCR30 Road Road FMN Railroad
161.220WQRY592 RM CSQ NKCR74 Disp Dispatcher FMN Railroad

Rocky Mountaineer Excursion

Operations

Service is seasonal and runs from Moab, Utah to Denver, Colorado on Union Pacific right-of-way.

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
458.6625 M 229.1 PL RME TC 1 Train Crews 1 FMN Railroad
469.2625 M 114.8 PL RME TC 2 Train Crews 2 FMN Railroad
453.3375 M 107.2 PL RME TC 3 Train Crews 3 FMN Railroad

Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Cotter Branch Subdivision
MP 0 (UP Connection) to MP 3.3 (Cotter). This serves the Zinc Mill and is operated by Rock & Rail Railroad

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.490 BM CSQ RRRR92 Cotter Road FMN Railroad
Rockvale Branch Subdivision
MP 0 (UP Connection) to MP 3 (Rockvale)

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.490 BM CSQ RRRR92 Rockvale Road FMN Railroad
Royal Gorge Express Subdivision
MP 160 (East Canon City) to MP 172 (West Parkdale/Trailhead). Royal Gorge Railroad and Rock & Rail Railroad operate jointly. There is a repeater that may be used that repeats transmissions from channel 32

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.590 BM CSQ RGX32 Royal Road FMN Railroad
161.115 RM CSQ RGX67 Royal Road FMN Railroad
160.425 BM CSQ RGX21 Yard Yard - Royal Gorge FMN Railroad
160.710 BM CSQ RRRR40 Yard Yard - Rock Rail FMN Railroad

San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad

Operations

The San Luis and Rio Grande Railroad operates 154 miles of former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks on three lines radiating from Alamosa, Colorado over La Veta Pass to BNSF main line track at the UP Walsenburg Sub. Until it's bankruptcy in 2019, the SLRG also operated the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad from Alamosa to La Veta. It is currently unknown when, if ever, this scenic line might resume. 

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.785WQAA517 BM SLRG 045 Road FMN Railroad

San Luis Central Railroad

Operations

SLC owns and operates a 13-mile railroad line between Center, Colorado and Monte Vista, Colorado. The SLC connects with the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad at the Sugar Junction in Monte Vista. SLC owns or leases 149 railcars used for transportation of various commodities. SLRG moves loaded SLC cars approximately 92 miles to connect with BNSF main line track at the UP Walsenburg Sub.

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.680WQXJ496 BM SLC 38 Yard Yard Operations FMN Railroad

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Operations

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway is located in Manitou Springs.

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
150.950KAD957 BM BMPPCR Warrnt Track Warrants FMN Railroad
161.550KAD957 RM 114.8 PL MPCR96 Ops Operations FMN Railroad

Transporation Technology Center

Operations

The Transportation Technology Center is a test facility/proving ground for the railroad industry

State of Colorado DTRS
Project 25 Phase I
TTC Fire is on DTRS
MxV Rail NXDN
NXDN NEXEDGE 9600
Operations are also conducted on this system
FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
160.320WPRH365 RM TTC321 Ops 1 Operations 1 NXDN48 Railroad
160.350WPRH365 RM TTC325 Ops 2 Operations 2 NXDN48 Railroad
160.770WPRH365 RM TTC381 Ops 3 Operations 3 NXDN48 Railroad
160.815WPRH365 BM TTC387 Ops 4 Operations 4 NXDN48 Railroad
160.845WPRH365 BM CSQ TTC049 Ops 5 Operations 5 FMN Railroad
160.875WPRH365 BM TTC395 Ops 6 Operations 6 NXDN48 Railroad
160.980WPRH365 BM TTC409 Ops 7 Operations 7 NXDN48 Railroad
161.010WPRH365 BM CSQ TTC060 Ops 8 Operations 8 FMN Railroad
161.070WPRH365 BM TTC421 Ops 9 Operations 9 NXDN48 Railroad
161.145WPRH365 BM CSQ TTC069 Ops 10 Operations 10 FMN Railroad
161.190WPRH365 BM CSQ TTC072 Ops 11 Operations 11 FMN Railroad
161.205WPRH365 BM TTC439 Ops 12 Operations 12 NXDN48 Railroad
161.325WPRH365 BM TTC455 Ops 13 Operations 13 NXDN48 Railroad
452.475WPRH365 BM CSQ TTC UHF Ops Operations UHF FMN Railroad

Trinidad Railway

Operations
Trinidad Railway owns the line between Jansen and New Elk Mine. UP and BNSF trains may be found on this line, however the mine is currently in out of service/low production as of 2015

FrequencyLicenseTypeToneAlpha TagDescriptionModeTag
161.250 BM CSQ TRI76 Road Jansen to New Elk Mine FMN Railroad