At the edge of change, Colorado finds itself where the majestic Rockies bear silent testimony to the ceaseless clash of nature and human ambition. In the midst of beauty so vast it humbles the soul, a new battle unfolds over the veins of commerce that crisscross the land. It’s a story of railroads: Lifelines that could, in one misstep, morph into flashpoints of catastrophe.
As House Bill 1030 makes its journey through the Colorado Capitol, it carries with it the echoes of Nevada’s recent struggle with Assembly Bill 456 — a fight that, despite fervent public and legislative support, was stymied by the veto pen, a stark testament to the rail industry’s formidable influence.
Over the past 25 years, the industry has poured approximately $700 million into lobbying efforts aimed at thwarting new rules and regulations. This significant investment underscores the lengths to which rail carriers will go to preserve the status quo, even in the face of mounting evidence that change is necessary to prevent future tragedies.
The derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, looms large in the collective memory, a grim harbinger of what might befall Colorado should inertia and industry lobbying prevail. This incident, marked by towering infernos and evacuations, underlines the dire consequences of sidelining safety in favor of profit. House Bill 1030 seeks to avert such outcomes in Colorado through commonsense measures: limiting train lengths, reducing blocked crossings and fortifying defect detection systems, each a cornerstone in the edifice of public safety.
Recent months in Colorado have seen an alarming increase in train derailments, each carrying a narrative of hazard and disruption. From Loveland, where hundreds of gallons of fuel were spilled, to significant derailments that have severed the lifelines of commerce and daily life. Notably, a derailment near Pueblo not only closed Interstate 25 for several days but also killed a 60-year-old trucker. Meanwhile, a collision in Weld County left a train engineer with life-threatening injuries.
This pattern of mishaps casts a foreboding shadow over the potential for far graver consequences should these trains be laden with more hazardous materials, or should such calamities strike in the vicinity of critical infrastructure, schools or vital waterways. The thought of a derailment carrying toxic substances near the Colorado River — an essential lifeline for the state’s ecosystems and communities — evokes a chilling scenario, where the repercussions could ripple through our environment, endangering aquatic habitats, contaminating drinking water and threatening the health and safety of countless individuals.
The rail industry’s argument, asserting that states are preempted from regulating any aspect of rail carrier behavior by various federal statutes, functions as a strategic deterrent rather than an unassailable legal principle. According to the American Association of Railroads, the rail industry claims exemption from all state regulation under the guise of managing interstate commerce — a contention rife with debate.
This ambiguous legal landscape has not deterred numerous states from adopting measures to safeguard public safety, environmental integrity and the well-being of railroad workers from the hazards of unsafe rail operations. States have led the charge, enacting legislation on minimum crew sizes, blocked crossings and the maintenance of defect detectors, among other safety measures.
The imperative to protect public safety, environmental sanctity and workers’ rights must guide our resolve, drawing from the wellspring of American democratic tradition that values proactive state action in the face of federal hesitancy.
Yet, as the saga of Nevada’s Bill 456 unfolds, the specter of industry opposition looms. Rail carriers, wielding their influence like a cudgel, have adeptly navigated political arenas, deploying arguments and legal precedents with surgical precision to undermine state-led safety initiatives.
Colorado’s fight for House Bill 1030 thus emerges as a tale of resistance against corporate overreach. The state’s unique geography, marked by majestic mountains and vital waterways like the Colorado River, amplifies the stakes. Passing the bill would not only safeguard these natural treasures but also signify a broader commitment to public safety and environmental integrity — a rebuke of the notion that corporate interests supersede communal well-being.
House Bill 1030, which has moved through that chamber and is now before a Senate committee, represents more than mere legislation; it embodies a stand against complacency, a pledge to prioritize the safety of Colorado’s communities, and the preservation of its environmental legacy.
At this moment, Colorado has the opportunity to not just legislate but to lead — to champion a cause that resonates beyond its borders, inspiring a national movement toward greater rail safety and accountability.
Let this chapter in Colorado’s story be marked by a resolute stand for the common good, setting a precedent for others to follow. The fight for HB 1030 is, at its core, a fight for the future — a future where the landscapes and livelihoods of Colorado are protected from the shadows of potential disaster, ensuring that the state remains a vibrant, safe and thriving place for all who call it home.
Jason Doering, with 20 years of experience as a locomotive engineer and conductor, is an advocate for transportation safety and workers’ rights. He is a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 766 in Las Vegas.
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