Poll: Coloradans support funding for commuter rail from Pueblo to Fort Collins
Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace wants part of a proposed tax increase to help fund extending the Southwest Chief.
A new poll commissioned by the Colorado Passenger Rail Association found 6 in 10 Coloradans would support a tax increase to fund a commuter rail from Pueblo to Fort Collins.
The question, which was conducted in early March, asked 503 Coloradans if they would favor using $50 million from the proposed $700 million sales tax increase to fund the rail which would be an extension of the current Southwest Chief Amtrack line that connects Chicago and Los Angeles. There are currently two stops in Southeastern Colorado, La Junta and Trinidad.
The tax increase is part of a bipartisan bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. HB1242, if passed, would ask voters whether to approve the tax.
Using $50 million to aid the passenger rail equates to about 7 percent of the entire increase — but isn’t a done deal if the bill passes. Voters will have the ultimate say.
Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace and passenger rail association president Jim Souby testified on the tax increase bill Wednesday afternoon during a committee hearing.
Another poll question shows further support of funding commuter rail.
When asked whether there should be increased funding to expand commuter bus service or to expand commuter rail service, the majority said rail.
The 503 polled were active voters.
22 percent preferred increasing commuter bus funding. And 18 percent were either unsure or opposed any increase in commuter transportation funding.
Pueblo Sen. Leroy Garcia is currently running a bill that puts in motion the first steps to creating the extended Southwest Chief line.
The bill, SB153, does two primary things. It repeals the old Southwest Chief Commission and establishes a new one. This new commission must take on the duties of the old commission — which includes preserving the existing route and extending the line to Pueblo and Walsenburg.
The new commission will also work on developing a plan and legislation to facilitate a passenger rail along the 1–25 corridor, PULP previously reported.
If passed, the new commission is required to present a plan back to the local government senate committee that should include draft legislation actually creating the line by December.
