Governor Jared Polis has declared September 15-21 as “See Tracks? Think Train” Week in Colorado. The initiative aims to remind residents to prioritize safety when near railroad tracks, whether driving, walking, or biking. The campaign is supported by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Operation Lifesaver, and other partners.
“A train traveling at 55 mph requires a mile to stop – the length of more than 17 football fields. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can avoid crashes at rail crossings by simply slowing down and taking time to ensure there is safe passage,” said PUC Director Rebecca White. “As the PUC expands its oversight of rail safety, we are proud to partner with CDOT and Operation Lifesaver to remind Coloradans to make safe crossings to get home safe.”
In recent years, train-involved crashes have resulted in injuries and fatalities across the state. In 2024, there were 46 such incidents leading to 24 injuries and one death. As of this year, two people have died and five have been injured in 32 reported crashes. Many of these accidents happened at crossings equipped with active warnings like gates and alarms, highlighting the risks associated with ignoring such signals.
“Whether you’re in a car, on a bike, walking, or traveling by any other mode, never try to beat a train,” said Shoshana Lew, Executive Director of CDOT. “We remind all travelers to pay attention to the warning signs at railroad crossings and stay on the lookout for trains. These simple steps can be life-saving.”
Colorado has both active warning crossings—with gates or signals—and passive ones without such features. There are currently 784 active warning crossings and 960 passive ones in the state. RTD operates ten rail lines over more than 114 miles throughout Denver’s metro region.
“RTD operates 10 rail lines on more than 114 miles of track throughout the Denver metro region. Across our rail network, the agency’s team carries an awesome responsibility to safely transport the most important thing in life, which is people. The need to conduct oneself in a safe manner around railroad crossings and train tracks is paramount to all customers we serve within the communities our trains travel,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD General Manager and CEO.
BNSF Vice President of Safety Chad Sundem added: “Working with the communities we serve and spreading awareness to remain vigilant around all railroad tracks as a pedestrian, driver or passenger is important. To keep the public and our crews safe, we ask for everyone to stay off the tracks, cross at designated points, obey the warning signs and to always expect a train to be on the tracks. Grade crossing incidents are preventable, and our collaborative efforts will get us to that point.”
Col. Matthew C. Packard from Colorado State Patrol noted: “While less common than most crashes we see, train and vehicle crashes are known to cause extensive damage due to the speed, size and weight involved,” explained Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Drivers should use extra caution before crossing any tracks and respect railroad crossing signals, including lights, bells, and barriers.”
Nationally each year about 2,100 people are killed or seriously injured near railroad tracks or trains—often at grade crossings—and someone is struck every three hours on average in the United States.
“Rail Safety Week is an important reminder that staying safe around railroad tracks and crossings takes all of us,” said Rod Doerr of Union Pacific Railroad.“In Colorado and across our 23-state network,we urge everyone to stay alert ,follow crossing signals,and never tryto beat atrain.One momentofcaution can save alife.”
Accidents often occur when drivers attempt risky maneuvers such as driving around lowered gates or under closing ones; distracted pedestrians also face dangers when trespassing on railway property.
“The highest priority for our industry along with our railroad partners is safety.We encourage our truck driversand other motorists bealert ,exercisecaution,and complywith allsignageat gradecrossings.Bettertobepatientandsafethanriskyourlifeandothers,”saidGregFulton,presidentoftheColoradoMotorCarriersAssociation.
Trains always have legal right-of-way since they cannot stop quickly or change direction easily; it remains up tothepublictoavoidcollisionsby following safety guidelines provided by agencies like PUCandCDOT.Theircollaborativework includes planning ,operating,and integratingtransitandrailservicesstatewideaswellassupportingprojects aimedatimprovingrailroadsafety,suchasSection130programadministeredbyCDOT’sRailroadProgram.
Michelle Kempema,state coordinatorforColoradoOperationLifesaver stated:“SeeTracks?ThinkTrainWeekisaweekofrailsafetyeducationfocusingattentionontheimportanceofmakingsafechoiceswhendrivingorwalkingnearrailroadtracksandtrains.We wanttoraiseawarenesstohelpknowthefactsandmakesafechoices.Everydayoftheweekwillhaveadifferentthemeinsocialmedia,somakesuretocheckouttheOperationLifesaversocialplatforms!”
Operation Lifesaver collaborates nationally with transportation agencies including CDOT as part of their commitment toward reducing collisions involving trains through education campaigns like “Stop Track Tragedies” as well as upgrading warning devices at crossings.
