The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the abandonment of railroad rights-of-way and the resulting loss of railroad service and established railroad corridors will have an adverse impact on the citizens of the state of Colorado. The general assembly further declares that the preservation of these abandoned railroad corridors, before the lines are dismantled […]
As used in this part 13, unless the context otherwise requires: “Interim recreational purposes” means a use for hiking, biking, equestrian, or similar recreational use which does not prevent the restoration and reconstruction of the right-of-way for railroad or other transportation purposes. “Railroad right-of-way” means any real property or interest in real property that is […]
An existing rail line or railroad right-of-way or an abandoned railroad right-of-way is eligible for acquisition by the department if the executive director determines that it serves or may serve any one or more of the following purposes: Preservation of the rail line for freight or passenger service; Maintenance of a rail corridor or railroad […]
Whenever an owner of a rail line or railroad right-of-way intends to dispose of such property, the owner shall notify the executive director of such intention in writing. The executive director shall, within thirty days after the receipt of such notice, inform all departments of the state of Colorado, the metropolitan or regional transportation authorities, […]
The department, subject to section 43-1-1303, may acquire by purchase all or part of any eligible rail line or right-of-way made available as provided in this part 13. Rail lines and rights-of-way purchased by the department pursuant to this part 13 shall constitute the state rail bank. Prior to any acquisition of a rail line […]
The executive director shall maintain property within the state rail bank, including weed control, in a manner that minimizes maintenance costs and provides a benefit to the state. The executive director shall assume the responsibilities of the abandoning railroad company for the construction and maintenance of fencing of abandoned rail lines or railroad rights-of-way within […]
The transportation legislation review committee shall study the recommendations of the executive director made pursuant to section 43-1-1303 (3) for acquisition of, and use or uses for, abandoned or proposed to be abandoned railroad rights-of-way. On or before October 1 of each year, the executive director shall submit a prioritized list that shall include recommendations […]
The members of the transportation legislation review committee shall make a written report setting forth its recommendations, findings, and comments as to each recommendation for the acquisition of abandoned railroad rights-of-way and their uses and submit the report to the general assembly. Source: L. 97: Entire part added, p. 1622, § 2, effective June 4.
There is hereby created the state rail bank fund to which shall be allocated such revenues as the general assembly may from time to time determine. Moneys in the state rail bank fund may be used for the acquisition, maintenance, improvement, or disposal of rail lines or railroad rights-of-way or any other purpose necessary to […]
Any transfer of title of the railroad rights-of-way from a railroad company as provided in section 43-1-803 or in this part 13 shall not affect the title, either possessory or reversionary, of an owner of real property along the currently existing railroad right-of-way. Nothing in this part 13 or in section 43-1-803 shall be construed […]
Before any railroad tracks are removed from abandoned railroad rights-of-way in Colorado, if a proper legal description is not available, the person or entity removing the railroad tracks shall cause a field survey of the centerline of such railroad tracks to be made by a professional land surveyor, if title to any land references such […]
