C Line (RTD)

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.

"Orange Line (Denver)" redirects here. For other uses, see Orange Line.

C Line
C
Old alignment near Union Station
Overview
Status	Discontinued
Owner	Regional Transportation District
Locale	Denver metropolitan area
Termini	Union Station Littleton–Mineral
Stations	12
Service
Type	Light Rail
System	RTD Rail
Operator(s)	Regional Transportation District
History
Opened	April 5, 2002 (2002-04-05)
Closed	January 10, 2021 (2021-01-10)
Technical
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification	Overhead line, 750 V DC
Route map C Line highlighted in orange Show interactive map Legend Amtrak California Zephyr Union Station Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens Empower Field at Mile High Auraria West 10th & Osage US 6 6th Avenue Freeway Alameda I-25 I-25 & Broadway Evans Englewood Oxford–City of Sheridan Littleton–Downtown Littleton–Mineral This diagram: view talk edit Show route diagram

History

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

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 reached 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 High – Six 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

Main article: Fastracks

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]