Western Slope Residents Face Uncertain Future of Bustang Service

What happens to Western Slope residents who rely on Bustang when the state's funding dries up? Jo Pfaff, a Granby resident, uses Bustang to visit her terminally ill mother in Flagler — it's her lifeline. The $15 one-way fare is a fraction of what she'd pay on Amtrak. Pfaff's experience is not unique — Bustang has been a success by public transit standards, with ridership increasing 21% from 2024 to 2025.

Bustang carried 103,800 passengers in its first full year, growing to 353,400 across all services in fiscal year 2025. The service has expanded to include eight Outrider paths, Snowstang ski resort routes, and Pegasus commuter vans. However, this growth comes at a cost, literally. Running Bustang's services costs over 10 times what they earn in tickets. The state will spend $47.8 million on the system in the 2027 fiscal year, but only expects to take in $4.4 million in fares.

The funding gap has been bridged by one-time bonuses, but those are ending. A 2022 state law provided $30 million over three years to expand Bustang routes, and the federal American Rescue Plan Act added $35.1 million starting in 2023. These subsidies will dry up in fiscal year 2027, leaving a projected deficit of $25.3 million. State officials claim the return on fares is higher than some public transit efforts nationwide, but that's little comfort to locals who rely on the service.

The loss of Bustang would be felt deeply on the Western Slope, where transportation options are limited. Folks around here know that getting from point A to point B can be a challenge; our roads are notorious for closures and delays. Bustang provides a vital link to the Front Range, and its demise would leave a gaping hole in the region's transportation infrastructure. Make no mistake, the future of Bustang is uncertain, and the stakes are high for Western Slope residents.

CDOT's financials are worth watching - the agency will need to find new funding sources or risk cutting services. The short version: Bustang's success has created a funding problem. Read that again. the service is popular, but it's not sustainable without subsidies. As the state grapples with the impending deficit, locals are left wondering what's next. Will CDOT find a way to keep Bustang afloat, or will the service be scaled back or eliminated? The answer will have a significant impact on the daily lives of people in the valley.

The community is not just concerned about the potential loss of Bustang, they're also worried about the lack of transparency from state officials. What aren't they saying about the funding situation? The fact that the state is projecting a $25.3 million deficit in 2027 suggests that there are no easy solutions. The state's cost for Bustang services has risen at the same rate as passenger numbers, and it's unclear how CDOT plans to address this issue. The future of Bustang will be shaped by the decisions made in the coming months, and these decisions will directly affect the people that use this service regularly.

In Delta County, where transportation options are already limited, the loss of Bustang would be devastating. The county spends around $1 million on road maintenance annually - a fraction of what the state spends on Bustang. However, the impact of Bustang's demise would be felt far beyond the county's budget. It would affect the daily lives of residents, from commuters to those visiting family and friends. The state needs to find a solution to the funding problem, and fast. the clock is ticking on Bustang's future.

As the situation unfolds, the state's response to the funding crisis will be crucial for the community, particularly those that depend on Bustang for their daily commute or to visit loved ones. The state's decision will have far-reaching consequences for the community.