DENVER — Colorado legislation limiting train lengths and requiring wayside detectors, among other provisions, has passed the state’s House of Representatives and been introduced in the Senate.
HB24-1030 is sponsored in the House by state Rep. Javier Mabrey (D-Denver) and in the Senate by Sens. Lisa Cutter (D-Lakewood) and Tony Exum (D-Colorado Springs.). As passed by a 43-12 House vote last week, it would cap train lengths at 8,500 feet, and while requiring detectors, but does not specify how frequently they must be placed along rail lines. It includes several amendments from the original version introduced at the start of the legislative session [see “Colorado considering legislation …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 9, 2023]. Notably, it no longer specifically prohibits blocking a grade crossing for more than 10 minutes. Instead, it says only that trains must be operated “in such a manner as to minimize obstruction of emergency vehicles at highway-rail crossings.”
KUSA-TV reports Republican opposition has raised concerns about the regulation’s preemption by federal regulation. According to the station, Mabrey has said the bill was written to try to avoid that issue.
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