Rail & Transit
Rail & Transit Safety
The Rail and Transit Section focuses on railroad and rail fixed guideway (i.e., light rail) safety in Colorado. While many areas of state regulation of railroads have been preempted by federal statute and regulation, the Commission retains jurisdiction over safety matters. Staff in the Rail Section have a variety of roles, ranging from participating in interagency discussions, conducting field investigations and safety audits, counting traffic data and performing other diagnostics, reviewing transportation safety plans and advising the Commission as to their sufficiency, and advising the Commission on potential rules changes for rail and transit providers.
Freight & Heavy Rail Safety
The Public Utilities Commission has primary jurisdiction over all public highway-rail crossings, including opening, closing, upgrading, signalizing, construction of overpasses or underpasses, and the allocation of costs.
The Office of Rail Safety was established in 2024 to ensure freight, passenger, community and environmental rail safety in the state for the state’s unique and delicate terrain, its headwaters, its communities, and its rail workers.
Freight & Heavy Rail Safety Resources
TO REPORT ANY HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING ISSUES
Call the railroad directly at the phone number shown on the blue Emergency Notification Sign posted at the crossing.
