SB 17-153

Senate Bill 17-153, also known as the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission bill, updates an existing commission focused on preserving and expanding Amtrak's Southwest Chief rail service in Colorado. The new commission will not only maintain current services but also explore extending these services to Pueblo and Walsenburg. Additionally, it aims to develop a plan for introducing passenger rail along the Interstate 25 corridor in the Front Range area by December 1, 2017. This bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now active and being implemented to improve rail transportation across Colorado.

Official Summary

The bill replaces the existing southwest chief rail line economic development, rural tourism, and infrastructure repair and maintenance commission (old commission), the current statutory authorization for which expires on July 1, 2017, with an expanded southwest chief and front range passenger rail commission (new commission). The new commission must: Assume the old commission's powers and duties and its mission of preserving existing Amtrak southwest chief rail line service in the state, extending such service to Pueblo, and exploring the benefits of extending such service to Walsenburg; and Facilitate the future of front range passenger rail and specifically develop and present by December 1, 2017, to the local government committees of the house of representatives and the senate, draft legislation to facilitate the development of a front range passenger rail system that provides passenger rail service in and along the interstate 25 corridor.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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