s_lg_2017a_2017-02-14t14:01:30z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/14/2017

Location: SCR 354

02:01 PM -- SB 17-153



Senator Garcia and Crowder, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 17-153 concerning the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission. This bill replaces the Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission with the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission, also housed in the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission assumes the powers and duties of the old commission, which was set to repeal on July 1, 2017, as a Type 1 transfer. These duties include the coordination of efforts to ensure that track repairs and upgrades required for the continuation of existing Southwest Chief Rail service in Colorado are completed, extending rail service to Pueblo, and exploring the benefits of extending service to Walsenberg. The commission is increased from 9 to 13 commissioners. The commission is also tasked with developing draft legislation that facilitates the development of a passenger rail system that provides service in and along the I-25 corridor. The commission must present the draft legislation to the Local Government committees of the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2017.



Senator Crowder distributed a letter of support for SB 17-135 from the Prowers Board of County Commissioners (Attachment A) and a map of the Colorail Proposed Rail System (Attachment B).



170214 AttachA.pdf170214 AttachB.pdf



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:04 PM -- Jim Souby, Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission, spoke in support of the bill and discussed activities of the commission. He also responded to questions from the committee about ridership on the Southwest Chief and the Winter Park Express and efforts to increase rail passengers. He also identified the 11 voting members and two nonvoting members of the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission.



02:16 PM



Jason Gelender, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee about the membership of the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission.



02:21 PM -- Sal Pace, Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners and Chair of the Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission, spoke in support of the bill and explained that the bill was recommended by the commission. He also explained that -- to date -- the commission has not received any moneys from the State of Colorado and that its expenses have been paid by Pueblo County. He also responded to questions from the committee about the bill and efforts to expand passenger rail service along Colorado's Front Range.



02:33 PM -- Phillip Rico, Mayor of the City of Trinidad, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a letter of support for the bill from Gabriel Engeland, Trinidad City Manager and himself (Attachment C).



170214 AttachC.pdf



02:38 PM -- Helen Bushnell, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill.



02:44 PM



The chair closed testimony on the the bill and Senator Crowder and Senator Garcia closed their remarks on the bill. Senator Garcia also read a letter of support for the bill.



02:47 PM



The committee recessed.



02:49 PM



The committee returned from recess.