C Line (RTD)
| Company type | Light rail service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | April 5, 2002 |
| Defunct | January 10, 2021 |
| Fate | Service suspended and formally retired |
| Headquarters | Denver , United States |
Area served | Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area, Colorado |
| Parent | Regional Transportation District (RTD) |
The C Line was a light rail service managed by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) within the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area, Colorado.
History
Commencing operations on April 5, 2002, the C Line debuted alongside the opening of the Central Platte Valley Spur. Initially, it operated daily, extending to Littleton–Mineral station during peak periods and special events, while otherwise terminating at I-25 & Broadway. By May 3, 2003, service to Littleton–Mineral was expanded to run at all hours.
After the Southeast Corridor began service on November 17, 2006, the E Line largely supplanted weekend C Line operations except for certain sporting event schedules. On January 11, 2009, midday runs between Union Station and I-25/Broadway were reinstated, whereas evening trips were discontinued.
Midday weekday service was eliminated on January 19, 2012, but fully resumed on August 17, 2014. The C Line was suspended on January 10, 2021, due to RTD-wide reductions prompted by decreased ridership amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It did not restart and was formally retired prior to the January 2023 service revision.
Stations
The northern endpoint of the C Line was located at Union Station in Denver, proceeding southward along a railway right-of-way until merging with the D Line at 10th & Osage Station. Both lines shared tracks continuing south to their final stop at Mineral Avenue in Littleton.
This line provided convenient transit access to major Denver sports facilities—Coors Field, Pepsi Center, and Broncos Stadium at Mile High—in addition to attractions like Six Flags Elitch Gardens, LoDo, and the western sector of the Auraria Campus.
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July 14, 2000
Park and ride: 99 spaces
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Park and ride: 910 spaces
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Park and ride: 361 spaces
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Park and ride: 1,227 spaces
FasTracks
The FasTracks initiative, approved by voters in 2004, extends the Southwest Corridor (serviced by the C Line and D Line) by roughly 2.5 miles (4 km). This expansion features a newly planned station at the intersection of C-470 and Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch, offering 1,000 parking spots. Additionally, a possible station location at C-470 and U.S. Route 85#Santa Fe Boulevard is currently being evaluated.