Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC)

In the commission's own words, the Rail and Transit Section focuses on railroad and rail fixed guideway — that is, 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, and section staff participate in interagency discussions, conduct field investigations and safety audits, count traffic data and perform other diagnostics, review transportation safety plans and advise the commission as to their sufficiency, and advise on potential rules changes for rail and transit providers. The 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; it is responsible for the oversight of the safety of rail fixed guideway systems within the state; and it administers the Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Signalization Fund. Its rail rules are at 4 CCR 723-7, its rulemakings run under House Bill 24-1030 and Senate Bill 25-162, and railroad and RTD annual reports are filed under Proceeding No. 24M-0015R. Economic jurisdiction over railroads that form part of the national railroad system rests with the federal Surface Transportation Board.