Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics’ daily news briefing. Here’s what’s going on today:

Winter Park Express to offer expanded service this winter

Amtrak’s Winter Park Express will be expanding its winter service to five days a week starting Jan. 9, as well as expanded holiday service Dec. 20-22 and Dec. 27-29. Regular expanded service will run Thursday-Monday from Jan. 9 to March 31, 2025. Tickets, which have been reduced in price this year, go on sale Nov. 4. 

The expanded service is also adding a stop at the Fraser Platform five miles west of Winter Park to more effectively serve non-ski passengers traveling from Denver to the Fraser Valley or vice-versa. The train will also carry two additional passenger cars, raising its capacity from 268 to 402 passengers. A total of 69 round trips will operate this season, 29 more than last year. 

“The Winter Park Express is a great opportunity for Coloradans and visitors to explore our mountains without the hassle of driving or traffic,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “Now with expanded service and lower costs, Coloradans can save time and money on our way to enjoying our great outdoors. I look forward to taking the train into the mountains this season.”

Tickets for the Winter Park Express range from $19-$29 and children ages two through 12 are eligible for 50% off base fares. This year’s fares are 43% lower than previous years, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. 

Tickets from Denver’s Union Station to Winter Park Resort and Fraser can be purchased at Amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress and on the Amtrak app. 

Colorado Springs named third most patriotic city in the U.S.

Veterans United Home Loans has released its list of America’s most patriotic cities, and Colorado Springs is rounding out the top three. 

The list factored in five core data points: veteran population, presence of VA health facilities and veteran-owned businesses, Google search interest for Veterans Day, and voter turnout rate. 

In Colorado Springs, which is home to the Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, and Peterson Space Force Base, nearly one in five residents is either a veteran or active service member. The city has more than 1,700 veteran entrepreneurs and is home to multiple VA health facilities, including the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic.

Florida’s Crewstview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin area and Spokane, Washington, ranked first and second, respectively.