Written by: T. Cohen

Colorado lawmakers have taken the next step in advancing a bill that would allocate an annual $57 million to develop a passenger rail system in the state. However, the funding for this ambitious plan would come from a new fee on rental cars, hurting Colorado’s tourist industry and business travelers.

Senate Bill 24-184 proposes raising fees on rental cars by $2 per day for electric vehicles and $3 per day for gas-powered models. Democrats argue that this increase will help secure billions in federal funding for projects such as the Front Range Passenger Rail and expanded service to mountain communities.

PRIME SPONSORS

• Sen. Steve Fenberg (email)

• Sen. Janice Marchman (email)

• Rep. Julie McCluskie (email)

• Rep. Andrew Boesenecker (email)

Proponents of passenger rail argue that Colorado needs to prove its commitment to the project by making necessary infrastructure and safety improvements and providing matching funds for federal grants. They claim that the state's previous transportation funding overhaul, Senate Bill 20-260, did not anticipate the historic opportunity for rail funding that Congress would later enact.

Andy Karsian, the general manager of the Front Range Rail District, estimates that the project could cost between $2 billion and $6 billion, depending on the level of service. While the district's board is considering a tax measure to fund the project, it is clear that the burden will ultimately fall on taxpayers.

Unfortunately, the vote in the Transportation and Energy Committee to advance SB24-184 was a party-line decision, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. This raises concerns about the lack of bipartisan support for a project that will have long-term financial implications for the state.

It is essential to question whether this expensive passenger rail agenda is the right priority at a time when regional transit is underutilized and in need of attention.

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• COLORADO INTRODUCES A NEW RAILROAD SAFETY BILL IN RESPONSE TO RECENT DERAILMENTS

• POLIS LOOKS MORE TO THE PAST THAN THE FUTURE DURING HIS 2024 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

While the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021 did allocate funding for freight and passenger rail projects, it is crucial to assess the cost-benefit analysis of such investments. Colorado must carefully consider whether the proposed passenger rail system is a wise use of taxpayer dollars, especially when regional transit options could provide more immediate benefits to residents.

The bill will now move on to the Senate Finance Committee for further consideration.