Fitzsimons station
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | February 24, 2017 |
| Headquarters | Aurora, Colorado , United States |
Area served | Aurora, Colorado |
| Products | RTD R Line light rail service |
Fitzsimons station functions as a Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail stop on the R Line situated in Aurora, Colorado. Positioned on the northern side of Fitzsimons Parkway adjacent to Sand Creek Park, it provides access to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus through a complimentary shuttle service.
This station commenced operations on February 24, 2017, concurrently with the launch of the R Line. Originally, plans called for its placement along Montview Boulevard closer to the campus; however, in 2013, the site was relocated to Fitzsimons Parkway to prevent vibrations from interfering with sensitive research apparatus.
History
In 2001, two stations were proposed on the grounds of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, which was transformed by the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority into a campus anchored by what was then known as the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The other station developed from this plan is now known as Colfax station.
The R Line received approval through the 2004 FasTracks ballot initiative, aiming to construct a light rail corridor along Interstate 225 in Aurora. The initial design included a station near the Anschutz Medical Campus located at Montview Boulevard and Uvalda Street, which was tentatively named Montview.
Concerns about potential disturbances to research equipment caused by train vibrations and electromagnetic interference led the University of Colorado to request in May 2013 that the station be moved off-campus. The projected expenses for mitigation measures, such as installing a floating rail bed and replacing laboratory instruments, were estimated at $20 million. On June 25, 2013, the RTD Board approved rerouting the line along Fitzsimons Boulevard, establishing a new station north of the campus connected via shuttle bus. This adjustment necessitated acquiring land from Sand Creek Park, which subsequently underwent $3 million in improvements concurrent with light rail construction in 2015.
Though intended to open earlier, the station ultimately began service alongside the R Line on February 24, 2017, after experiencing several months of construction delays.
Transit-oriented development
Situated north of both the Fitzsimons Life Science District and Fitzsimons Innovation District—a transit-oriented development centered around the Anschutz Medical Campus—Fitzsimons station is part of Aurora's broader vision. The city aims to establish residential units, hotels, and office buildings between this station and the medical campus area, including plans for redeveloping the Fitzsimons Golf Course.
While a park-and-ride garage was proposed in 2013, it was ultimately not built alongside the station.