Colorado received a $66.4 million federal injection in transportation funds to boost freight train safety and enable expansion along rail corridors north of Denver, creating passenger rail opportunities that leaders are exploring to help city dwellers travel more efficiently without a car.

A state matching contribution of $28 million brings the total funds to more than $94 million for work considered critical preparation for long-term expansion of the rail system. That means state officials could begin establishing sidings, among other improvements, so freight trains and passenger trains can initially share existing tracks running from Denver north toward Fort Collins .

“It does more than just provide security. It increases capacity,” said Jack Wheeler, president of the Colorado Rail Passenger Association.

“This is ideal for a shared corridor where freight and passenger trains use the same right-of-way. We will use current tracks for the first phase of a passenger operation from Fort Collins to Pueblo.