Section 43-1-134 - Front range passenger rail service - annual status reports

(1) No later than September 30, 2024, and September 30 of each year thereafter, the department and the front range passenger rail district, created in section 32-22-103 (1), shall jointly report to the transportation legislation review committee, created in section 43-2-145 (1)(a), or its successor committee, and the governor regarding the status of the service development plan for front range passenger rail service between Trinidad, Pueblo, and Fort Collins. The report must include, at a minimum: (a) A description of the efforts of the department and the district to coordinate with affected entities, including host railroads, the federal railroad administration, other potential operators, and Amtrak, and the extent to which and manner in which such affected entities responded to those efforts; and(b) A plan for full implementation of front range passenger rail service as soon as practicable that includes plans for upcoming ballot measures, federal grants, and other possible interim options for financing necessary infrastructure and operations. The plan must include descriptions of steps taken to maximize the chances of securing federal grant assistance, including policies and

m options for financing necessary infrastructure and operations. The plan must include descriptions of steps taken to maximize the chances of securing federal grant assistance, including policies and strategies relating to reducing climate impacts, providing for all-hazards resilience, enhancing benefits to underserved communities, and promoting investments in high-quality workforce development programs, and of how the project will create good-paying, high-quality, and safe jobs. The parties shall coordinate with stakeholders, including labor organizations, affected communities, underserved communities, local governments, environmental organizations, and businesses, on the development of the plan.(2) Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in this section continues indefinitely.Added by 2024 Ch. 186,§ 10, eff. 5/16/2024. For the legislative declaration in SB 24-184, see section 1 of chapter 186, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.