Protect Colorado’s waterways from oil spills

Please take action to stop trains carrying viscous crude oil from traveling through Colorado every day

 The federal Surface Transportation Board recently approved a new 88-mile railroad in Utah’s Uinta Basin and the Forest service has approved the right of way for the rail line.  The new Utah railroad would connect to the national rail network, allowing trains to transport “waxy crude” through Colorado from the Uintah Basin to Gulf Coast refineries.

The oil would travel along the Colorado River from Grand Junction, through Glenwood Canyon, Gore Canyon, along the Fraser River through Winter Park, and through the Moffat Tunnel into Denver before heading east or south. A spill could cause irreparable damage to Colorado’s waterways and ecosystems. The Glenwood Springs City Council has decried this railway project (Post Independent article).

See a map and more info here: Trains will carry “waxy crude” oil through Colorado every day

Learn more here: The Center for Biological Diversity is leading a coalition of 30 environmental groups (including the Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition and Conservation Colorado) that are opposed to the new Utah railroad. Learn about their work at Stop The Uinta Basin Railway.

Here are some actions you can take:

(1)   Contact the Garfield County Commissioners. Urge them to follow the lead of the Eagle County Commissioners (Eagle County will challenge Utah's rail line approval) and to take a stance against this risky plan.

(2) Sign the petition, Stop the Uinta Basin Railway Petition.

(3)  Tell the Surface Transportation Board and Forest Service what you think by contacting Dr. Josh Wayland, Project Manager for the environmental impact statement, at joshua.wayland@stb.gov , and Susan Eickhoff, Forest Supervisor, at (435) 781-5200 or susan.eickhoff@usda.gov.

(4)  Spread the word by discussing this issue with friends and sharing it on social media.

(5)  Write letters to the editors to our local papers to raise community awareness.

(6)  Contact local and Western Slope legislators and officials to encourage action on rail safety throughout their jurisdictions, and on a state railroad spill cleanup plan. Sen. Kerry Donovan is aware of the Uintah issue.

Senator Kerry Donovan, Colorado Senate District 5
Phone: 303-866-4871
kerry.donovan.sd5@gmail.com

Senator Bob Rankin, Colorado Senate District 8
Email: bob.rankin.senate@state.co.us

Representative Perry Will, Colorado House District 57
Email: perry.will.house@state.co.us