748BEA4B79158CF68725882A006BFED0 Hearing Summary

Representative McCluskie, prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-176, concerning funding of work required for early stage

Front Range Passenger Rail corridor development. The Front Range Passenger Rail District was established by Senate Bill 21-238 to implement an interconnected passenger rail system along the Interstate 25 corridor. The bill transfers money from the General Fund to support development of the Front Range Passenger Rail corridor, including funding for rail district operations and to develop the Burnham Yard property, which will be used to consolidate and expand rail lines in the Front Range Passenger Rail corridor through Denver. Development of the Burnham Yard property will include development planning, conceptual design work, analysis of impacts to surrounding communities, and stakeholder engagement related to moving the existing rail line. This work is required by the Federal Railroad Administration before a full National Environmental Policy Act analysis can occur.

Representative McCluskie provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A). She responded to questions from the committee.

Julie George, representing Adams County, testified in opposition to the bill.

Andy Karsian, representing the Colorado Department of Transportation, testified in support of the bill.

Tobin Follenweider, representing the Department of Personnel, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Written testimony was provided to the committee (Attachment B).

Representative McCluskie made concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.