H_THL_2023A 01/25/2023 01:33:47 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Date

01/25/2023

Time

01:33:47 PM to 03:05:07 PM

Place

LSB A

This Meeting was called to order by

Froelich

This Report was prepared by

April Bernard

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hDenver International Airport Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hUnited Airlines Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hColorado Motor Carriers Association Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hInternational Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers, Transportation Division Presentation	Committee Discussion Only
hBrotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Presentation	Committee Discussion Only

Denver International Airport Presentation - Committee Discussion Only


	01:34:28 PM	Cristal Torres DeHerrera, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, representing Denver International Airport provided information about the airport.
	01:35:39 PM	Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera indicated that the airport generates $33.5 billion dollars each year. Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera gave an overview of the airport, which is owned by the City and County of Denver, and said that the airport is the second largest airport in the world.
	01:50:17 PM	Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera stated that the airport is home to over 23 airlines; 210 nonstop destinations, including 25 international destinations; and serves 15 countries. She mentioned that the airport is always looking to expand. Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera explained that the airport is home to over 30,000 employees and over 1,200 companies. She said that in 2019, 69 million people traveled through the aiport and that the airport just exceeded that number in 2022, with 69.3 million travelers.
	01:51:12 PM	Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera said that the airport is built to accomodate 59 million people. She indicated that the airport is continuing to accomodate additional people using Vision 100, the airport's plan to meet the demands of 100 million passengers by 2032. Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera answered questions from committee members.


	01:54:40 PM	Mizraim Cordero, representing United Airlines, provided a history of the airline. Mr. Cordero indicated that Denver is one of United's fastest growing hubs, being the largest airline in Denver. He mentioned that the airline flies direct to more than 170 destinations, including 9 countries, and is the only airline to offer transatlantic service from Denver. Mr. Cordero stated that United has invested almost $1 billion to improve the customer experience in Denver. Mr. Cordero talked about United's flight training center in Denver. He mentioned that United has 10,000 employees in Denver.
	02:02:37 PM	Mr. Cordero talked about the airline's aircraft fleet and how they are handling climate change. Mr. Cordero responded to questions from committee members.
	02:06:30 PM	Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera responded to questions from committee members.
	02:07:02 PM	Mr. Cordero continued to respond to questions from committee members.
	02:07:48 PM	Executive Vice President Torres DeHerrera responded to questions from committee members.


	02:18:05 PM	Greg Fulton, President, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), talked about trucking in Colorado. President Fulton introduced Scott Hutchins, Chairperson representing CMCA. He said that the association represents a little over 600 companies. President Fulton said that there are over 122,000 employees in Colorado, and most companies employing truckers and associated positions are small businesses. He indicated that most freight is received, rather than sent out, since the state does not have much manufacturing. President Fulton indicated that while the industry pays 37 percent of fees that go into the highway fund, trucks account for only six percent of the traffic.
	02:37:26 PM	President Fulton talked about concerns for the trucking industry, including fuel; problems getting truck parts; congestion issues affecting times for delivery; a lack of resiliency in terms of available roads when there are road closures; and the ability to attract new, younger employees. He talked about priorities for CMCA, including improving highway safety; reducing emissions; improve freight movement; and developing a workforce for the future. President Fulton talked about upcoming legislation, including increasing fines for speeding commercial trucks; increasing fines related to intrastate trucking; and trucks in roundabouts.


	02:47:49 PM	Carl Smith, Colorado State Director representing the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART), provided information about the association. Mr. Smith indicated that the association represents conductors, engineers, brakemen, switchmen, and yardmasters on all rails in Colorado, including Amtrak; 650 railroad operating crews on the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway; and workers on short line rails. He sais that short lines represented include the Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado; the Kiowa; the San Luis and Rio Grande; the C and W; the California Zephyr; and the Southwest Chief. Mr. Smith talked about what the railroads haul and the strike this past fall.


	02:54:51 PM	Paul Pearson, representing the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), provided information about the brotherhood. He said that the brotherhood is the oldest labor union in the country and provided a history about BLET. Mr. Pearson said that the brotherhood represents 57,000 locomotive engineers and trainmen throughout the country. He mentioned that the brotherhood represents engineers at Amtrak, the Union Pacific Railroad, the BNSF Railway, and the Great Western Railroad.
	03:03:28 PM	Mr. Pearson talked about safety, including positive train control and staff on trains, including conductors. He identified priorities, including safety, long trains, blocked rail crossings, labor issues, family medical leave, and work-life balance.

03:05:07 PM

The committee adjourned.