Transportation corridors

Aurora is advantageously located on the eastern side of the Metro area with access to nearly all major arterial highways and transportation corridors. Companies can take advantage of this connectivity to transport virtually anything anywhere across the United States.

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Rail of all kinds

Colorado’s extensive railroads play a vital role in economic development. Our freight and passenger rail systems are integrated components of the state’s multi-modal transportation system. Class I freight railroads serve many industries in the state and provide important connections to national markets and international ports and trade gateways. About 15 privately owned freight railroads operate on more than 2,600 route miles of track. Colorado’s freight rail network directly serves nearly all the state’s counties, including Arapahoe and Adams Counties. BNSF Railway and Union Pacific operate more than 80 percent of freight track miles and carry the most freight by volume and value in the state. Short line railroads provide connections to agricultural industries and natural resource production sites in many areas of the state. Colorado’s 12 short line railroads provide essential regional connections to Class I railroads and serve customers in key agricultural and natural resource producing regions. They provide the “first and last mile” of connections to the national freight rail network. These private railroads operate approximately 20 percent of freight track miles in the state.

Regional Transportation District

The Regional Transportation District created a sophisticated public transportation system. Its vision has made the Metro area one of the best-served regions in the nation with its network of bus, light rail, commuter rail, and other services. In 2004, voters approved funding for FasTracks, a region-wide expansion of transit service. The program consists of six new rapid transit corridors, three existing corridor extensions, 122 miles of new commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit, and 21,000 new parking spaces at rail and bus stations.

Mass transit

RTD connects Aurora to the Metro area

RTD’s 22-mile long R Line light rail was completed in 2017 and runs through the heart of Aurora along I-225 connecting to major employment centers like the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora City Center, and the A Line to Denver International Airport. In 2019, the line’s ridership reached nearly 2 million passengers. It has catalyzed numerous transit-oriented development sites among its stations, attracting residential, retail, and commercial development. The R Line connects to the entire Metro area meaning employers that locate along the line can access the region’s whole workforce. Employees can take advantage of the walkability and experiences being built along the line in Aurora.

• Regional Transportation District

RTD service map

RTD’s Light Rail and Flatiron Flyer run along the front range.

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Moving goods

Aurora’s freight rail advantage

For companies that require freight rail connectivity, Aurora offers some unique advantages. We have numerous properties with direct rail line access. Combined with our proximity to Denver International Airport and most major highway corridors, companies can expect increased efficiency and decreased costs for logistics, freight, and cargo. As Denver has been built out, rail connections have diminished there meaning Aurora will be one of the only communities with properties offering direct rail access in the Metro area in the future.

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Air travel

Denver International Airport

Aurora is directly adjacent to Denver International Airport (DEN), the fifth busiest airport in the United States. Connected by RTD’s A Line light rail service, DEN offers extensive domestic and international destinations as well as substantial cargo services for companies. Business travelers also have the option to utilize Colorado Air and Space Port in Adams County for corporate travel.

• International Gateway

Photo courtesy Denver International Airport