All Roll Calls
Yes: 150 • No: 58
ColoradoSB25-1622025 Regular SessionSenate
Railroad Safety Requirements
Sponsored By: Elizabeth Velasco (Democratic), Javier Mabrey (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Marc Snyder (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
State GovernmentTransportation & Motor Vehicles
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Rail safety advisers can receive pay
Rail Industry Safety Advisory Committee members may receive daily pay if their regular job does not compensate them for this work. The Office of Rail Safety provides this pay. Members may also receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses while performing committee duties. The law states no daily payment amount or reimbursement maximum.
Colorado centralizes railroad safety oversight
The law creates an Office of Rail Safety within Colorado's Public Utilities Commission, replacing shared state inspection and enforcement authority. Oversight covers Class I railroads, passenger railroads, and railroads operating lines used by Class I railroads on July 1, 2024. The separate fee exemption for some smaller railroads does not remove this inspection authority. The office must study train lengths and layouts, wheel and axle counts, blocked crossings, trackside detectors, and maintenance problems. It must also review communications with state agencies, between crews on trains longer than 8,500 feet, and from trackside detectors. Annual reporting begins February 1, 2026, and advisory committees receive data allowed under public-records law. If collecting particular data is not feasible, the office must consult those committees and explain why.
Colorado reviews readiness for hazardous train spills
Beginning February 1, 2027, the Office of Rail Safety must assess readiness for a large hazardous-material release from trains. It must work with state public safety and public health agencies. The review covers responder training, equipment, freight-route risks, and response plans. A report is due December 15, 2027. The office must then work with advisory committees and relevant agencies to implement its recommendations.
Rail crews gain emergency response protections
During train emergencies, crew members may contact first responders after notifying railroad dispatch. They may take appropriate emergency action, including cutting a crossing. Railroad employees and crew members are protected from civil liability for good-faith emergency actions. When a railroad reports an emergency, the State Watch Center must immediately notify the Public Utilities Commission and Office of Rail Safety. The office must share that information with both rail-safety advisory committees within 30 days.
Rail safety funds support safety projects
The Rail District Maintenance and Safety Fund ends July 1, 2025. Its unspent money not already committed on June 30, 2025, transfers to the State Highway Fund, along with specified rail-safety fines. Colorado's Transit and Rail Division must use this money for passenger-rail safety planning and development, railroad or crossing improvements, and passenger-rail safety capital projects. The money cannot increase the transportation department's full-time employee count. The law does not state how much money is involved.
Railroads pay new annual safety fees
Covered railroads must begin paying annual safety fees on or before January 1, 2027, under commission rules. Payers include Class I railroads, passenger systems, and operators of lines used by Class I railroads on July 1, 2024. Class II and III railroads are exempt when using trackage or haulage rights in effect on that date on Class I-owned lines. Total collections cannot exceed $4.8 million per calendar year. Fees go into a dedicated fund for state rail-safety oversight and railroads' share of crossing-safety responsibilities. The commission must adopt a cost-covering fee formula by September 30, 2026, after consulting both rail-safety advisory committees. It may consider Colorado train miles, freight ton-miles, and public crossings, and must notify railroads of fees by December 1, 2026. Equal quarterly installments are due January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each state fiscal year. Late installments add a 10% penalty plus 1% monthly interest on unpaid amounts; the Attorney General may pursue collection. The office cannot spend this fund's money on equipment or staff before February 1, 2027.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Elizabeth Velasco
Democratic • House
Javier Mabrey
Democratic • House
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Junie Joseph
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Lorena Garcia
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Matthew Martinez
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Rep. S. Bird
Affiliation unavailable
Tisha Mauro
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Democratic • Senate
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
Sen. F. Winter
Affiliation unavailable
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
Jessie Danielson
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Tom Sullivan
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/6/2025
House amendments: Concur
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/6/2025
House amendments: Repass
Yes: 23 • No: 12
House vote • 5/2/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 44 • No: 19
House vote • 5/1/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-162 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 7 • No: 4
House vote • 4/29/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-162, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 8 • No: 5
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 23 • No: 12
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-162, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 4 • No: 3
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-162, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 6 • No: 3
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
6/4/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/14/2025SenateSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/14/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/14/2025HouseSenate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
5/6/2025SenateHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/2/2025HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
5/1/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
5/1/2025HouseHouse Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations
4/29/2025HouseIntroduced In House - Assigned to Finance
4/28/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/23/2025SenateSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
4/22/2025SenateSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/17/2025SenateSenate Committee on Transportation & Energy Refer Amended to Appropriations
3/5/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
2/11/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
House Finance Preamend
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Senate Appropriations Preamend
Senate Transportation & Energy Preamend
Signed Act