Colorado § 32-9-107.5 - Regional fixed guideway mass transit system - authorization - completion of northwest rail fixed guideway corridor as first phase of front range passenger rail service - legislative declaration.

§ 32-9-107.5. Regional fixed guideway mass transit system - authorization - completion of northwest rail fixed guideway corridor as first phase of front range passenger rail service - legislative declaration.

(1) (a) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that:

(I) The construction of a fixed guideway mass transit system in the Denver metropolitan area is a matter of statewide concern; and

(II) Such a system is necessary for economic development, commerce, and the reduction of air pollution.

(b) The general assembly further finds and declares that the development of mass transportation systems is in the best interests of the citizens of the Denver metropolitan area. The general assembly also believes that such a system should be financed by a mixture of private funds, of federal funds which have been identified for these purposes, and of receipts from a sales tax on the residents of the district.

(c) The general assembly further declares that it is the intent of this section that long-range planning continue in order to identify fixed guideway corridors as the demand is demonstrated.

(d) The general assembly further declares that, where practicable, the board should encourage the use of Colorado residents, goods, and services in implementing this section.

(e) The general assembly further declares that:

(I) The completion of construction of a fixed guideway mass transit system in the district's northwest fixed guideway corridor between Union Station in Denver and Longmont, which was promised as part of the district's FasTracks transit expansion program approved by the voters of the district in 2004 but currently operates only between Union Station and Westminster, will help rebuild confidence in the district, and it is of critical importance that every effort be made to secure sufficient funding to quickly complete that corridor;

(II) There is an opportunity to obtain significant federal money for the completion of the fixed guideway mass transit system in the district's northwest fixed guideway corridor if service extends beyond the boundaries of the district to Fort Collins and qualifies as intercity rail as a first phase of front range passenger rail service; and

(III) Accelerating the provision of fixed guideway service on the northwest rail corridor as the first phase of front range passenger rail service will not in any way slow planning, development, grant seeking, or other activities needed for the expeditious delivery of the remaining elements of front range passenger rail service or unfinished FasTracks projects. Further, existing district service will not be impacted or sacrificed as a result of planning and delivery of the first phase of front range passenger rail service. By completing the northwest portion of front range passenger rail service, which was statutorily required to be prioritized in the legislation that created the front range passenger rail district, the general assembly intends to expedite completion of the entire rail service.

(2) and (3) Repealed.

Source: L. 87: Entire section added, p. 1247, § 3, effective May 22. L. 92: (2)(b) and (3)(b) amended, p. 1345, § 1, effective July 1. L. 94: (1)(b) and (1)(c) amended and (2) and (3) repealed, pp. 1324, 1327, §§ 2, 9, effective May 25. L. 2024: (1)(e) added, (SB 24-184), ch. 186, p. 1049, § 3, effective May 16.

Cross references: (1) For priority of civil actions arising out of the planning, development, financing, or construction of the Denver metropolitan area mass transportation system, see article 85 of title 13.

(2) For the legislative declaration in SB 24-184, see section 1 of chapter 186, Session Laws of Colorado 2024.