HomeMy WebLinkAbout12681RESOLUTION NO. 12681
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN
THE AMTRAK SOUTHWEST CHIEF PASSENGER RAIL
SERVICE
WHEREAS, the Amtrak Southwest Chief connects Chicago with Los Angeles,
provides passenger rail service to southeastern Colorado, and serves over 13,000
passengers per year at scheduled stops in Lamar, La Junta, and Trinidad, Colorado;
and
WHEREAS, the Southwest Chief and its passenger train predecessors have
served this route through southeastern Colorado since the 1880s and is ranked among
the best Amtrak routes for both passenger loads and on-time service; and
WHEREAS, the Southwest Chief is a key economic contributor to southeastern
Colorado, and specifically the cities of Lamar, La Junta, and Trinidad; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak is considering alternative routes for the Southwest Chief due
to track maintenance issues in Colorado and New Mexico, and one alternative route
under consideration by Amtrak would divert the Southwest Chief and discontinue
service to Colorado, western Kansas, and northern New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak provides a gateway to tourists from the West Coast and the
Midwest, including Boy Scout troops heading to Philmont Scout Ranch near Raton, New
Mexico, as well as a transportation link to the citizens of southeastern Colorado that is
of growing importance; and
WHEREAS, discontinuing the Southwest Chief’s service through Colorado would
have a negative economic impact on the state; and
WHEREAS, passenger rail service is an economic contributor to Colorado in
terms of direct employment, interstate passenger access, and tourism economy; NOW
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
Section 1.
The Pueblo City Council calls upon the Governor of the State of Colorado to
strongly endorse continuation of the Amtrak Southwest Chief route through Colorado.
Section 2.
The Pueblo City Council calls upon the members of the legislature of the State of
Colorado to strongly endorse continuation of the Amtrak Southwest Chief route through
Colorado.
Section 3.
The Pueblo City Council calls upon all members of the Congressional Delegation
for the State of Colorado to strongly endorse continuation of the Amtrak Southwest
Chief route through Colorado.
Section 4.
The Pueblo City Council calls upon representatives of Amtrak to strongly endorse
continuation of the Amtrak Southwest Chief route through Colorado.
Section 5.
The Pueblo City Council recommends that all community and civic leaders in
southeastern Colorado connect with each other and their colleagues in western Kansas
and northern New Mexico so that the three states can coordinate their efforts to protect
the route of the Southwest Chief.
INTRODUCED: May 28, 2013
BY: Sandy Daff
Background Paper for Proposed
RESOLUTION
DATE: AGENDA ITEM #M-5
May 28, 2013
DEPARTMENT:
City Council
TITLE:
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE AMTRAK SOUTHWEST
CHIEF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE
ISSUE:
Should the City Council approve a Resolution endorsing efforts to maintain the Amtrak
Southwest Chief Passenger Service?
RECOMMENDATION:
This Resolution is at the request of Council President Steve Nawrocki.
BACKGROUND:
Amtrak provides a gateway to tourists from the west coast and Midwest. These tourists
include Boy Scouts heading to Philmont Ranch near Raton, New Mexico. Amtrak also
provides an important transportation link to the citizens of Southeastern Colorado that is
of growing importance and will likely become critical as our citizens age and rising
energy prices curtail the attractiveness of driving and flying.
The route of the Southwest Chief through Colorado is threatened inasmuch as an
alternative route is under consideration that would re-route the train south from Newton,
Kansas, through the Texas Panhandle to New Mexico, entirely bypassing Colorado.
It is crucial that the efforts to maintain the Amtrak line through Southeastern Colorado
are heard by the Governor of the State of Colorado through the efforts of the members
of the legislature of the State of Colorado.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.