Denver Airport station
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | April 22, 2016 |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail services (A Line) |
Denver Airport serves as a commuter rail stop on the A Line located in Denver, Colorado, providing access to Denver International Airport. Beginning at the airport, the A Line proceeds westward, reaching Union Station in Downtown Denver within roughly 37 minutes and making six stops along the way.[1] Service frequency is approximately every 15 minutes.[2]
History
The initial master plan for Denver International Airport, drafted in 1989, incorporated provisions for a transit connection to the airport, with the Jeppesen Terminal constructed to support this future transit line. RTD began investigating the possibility of a rail link to the airport in 1997; however, funding was secured only after the FasTracks transit expansion initiative was approved in November 2004, allowing for construction of the 23.5-mile corridor. The development and operation of the project were managed by Eagle P3, a public-private partnership. The station officially commenced service alongside the A Line on April 22, 2016.
The station’s two tracks and island platform are arranged with an offset within the right-of-way to accommodate potential future expansion, though as of February 2022, no expansion plans have been announced.
Designed by Gensler architects, the station is integrated beneath a 519-room Westin hotel that opened on November 25, 2015. The complex also includes an 82,000-square-foot open-air plaza and has earned LEED Platinum certification.
Station layout
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| Island platform | |
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In addition to the two-track island platform serving A Line trains, this station includes several bus bays dedicated to RTD's SkyRide airport express services. SkyRide route AB1 links Boulder, Colorado with the airport, while route AT connects Arapahoe at Village Center station, Nine Mile station, and the airport. Other bus routes include RTD’s limited-stop service 104L running hourly to Thornton, Colorado, along with commuter routes 145X to Brighton, Colorado and 169L to Aurora, Colorado, each offering limited daily runs.
Tailored for air travelers, the station provides amenities such as an RTD Customer Care center for passenger support and ticket vending machines covering both A Line fares and bus passes. For those departing, flight information displays, airport check-in kiosks, and a baggage service counter enable convenient baggage drop-off prior to entering the terminal.
Access between Denver International Airport’s Jeppesen Terminal and the station is facilitated by a five-story escalator—the tallest escalator in Colorado—connecting directly to the terminal’s south end.
Public art
The station showcases multiple public art pieces that contribute to its appeal for both business visitors and travelers.
One notable work, "Shadow Array," created by Denver-based artist Patrick Marold, consists of 236 spruce logs affected by beetle infestation. These logs are positioned to cast shifting shadows and patterns that change with the light throughout the day. At night, the installation is illuminated to ensure it remains visible.
Positioned above the escalator connecting the station to the terminal, "L’eau dans tous ses êtats" (Water in all of its states) is a slowly evolving light projection crafted by Parisian artist Yann Kersalé, providing a captivating visual experience.
Additionally, an informal piece made from concrete railroad ties salvaged during construction is utilized as landscaping on the east side of the platform, within an area designated for potential future expansion of the station.