Colorado’s Historic Trains and Trams Fuel Local Tourism

The morning fog still clings to the valley floor near Gunnison, but up on Monarch Pass, the air is thin and sharp. A tram waits at the station, its cables taut against the backdrop of jagged peaks that have defined this stretch of Highway 50 for decades. It is a quiet moment before the day’s traffic begins to climb, and for locals who commute this route daily, it is just another part of the landscape. But for those seeking a respite from the grind, it represents something more: a connection to the state’s industrial past and its recreational present.

The Colorado Sun recently published an article detailing 10 trains and trams that speak to the state’s history, marking a milestone in the Colorado 150 series. The piece argues that steel tracks stitched Colorado together long before interstates carved through the mountains, carrying ore and timber into places that once felt impossibly far away. Today, those same routes have evolved from industry lifelines into recreational assets.

To hear the editors tell it, these rides offer a way to slow down and see the state not just as a destination, but as a journey in itself.

The Georgetown Loop is one of those day trips that gets you immersed in mountain scenery while soaking up local history. The article notes it is easily accessible, provided Interstate 70 is functioning, and reasonably priced. For neighbors who might overlook it because it feels "mainstream touristy," the experience offers more than just a ride. There are train whistles, historical narration, and that evocative aroma of locomotives. It is a fun excursion that hides in plain sight, long a Colorado institution.

Further west, the Monarch Crest Tram offers a different kind of relief. Any time you get above 11,000 feet, it can be hard to catch your breath. But atop Monarch Pass, fresh air has been pumped into a longtime outpost with the 2023 revival of the revamped Monarch at the Crest visitor center. Nearby, the Monarch ski area bought the property 2 miles up the pass in 2022 and transformed the main building. They are opening the tramway again, connecting a decades-old structure with modern amenities.

This revival is significant for the local economy and for residents who use the pass regularly. It transforms a historical asset into an active part of the community’s leisure options. The article highlights that some rides lean into nostalgia, with steam engines and metallic screeches, while others feel more modern, powered by electricity or human legs. No less rooted in the state’s long relationship with rail, these options provide an intimate view of Colorado’s unique landscapes.

The question is whether this trend toward recreating historic rail lines will continue to drive local interest and investment. The math holds up for communities that can leverage their geography. From the slow climb of a historic cog railway to the airy glide of a high-alpine tram, Colorado’s rails offer a chance to see the state from a historic vantage point. It is an opportunity that is easy to miss from the road, but hard to ignore once you are on the tracks.

As the state celebrates 150 years of statehood, these trains and trams serve as tangible links to that history. They remind us that the steel tracks that once carried our resources are now carrying our stories. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a visitor seeing it all for the first time, these rides offer a chance to connect with the land in a way that feels both timeless and timely.