Governor Polis Releases Statement on Train Derailment Near Pueblo

PUEBLO - Colorado Governor Jared Polis released a statement following a train derailment near Pueblo, Colorado: 

“I am saddened that a life was lost in this train derailment and send my condolences to his family and loved ones. I have been briefed by CDOT and yesterday I spoke directly to Secretary Buttigieg and BNSF, the operator of the train. Our immediate priority is safely getting the highway open both ways. CDOT Director Shoshana Lew and federal officials are on the ground in Pueblo and I am receiving updates directly from the team onsite and plan to receive an onsite briefing this week once our state debris-clearing work has begun. We cannot begin our work to reopen the highway until the National Transportation Safety Board clears us to proceed and I urged Secretary Buttigieg to allow us to conduct debris removal as soon as possible. It is estimated that the debris removal phase could take as long as 48 hours, but I am ensuring that we are doing everything we can to complete it more quickly, including beginning preparations now so we can begin as soon as we are allowed to and save precious hours,” said Colorado Governor Polis. 

“Our administration has been working for months to position Colorado to take advantage of the safety and rail investments that Congress and President Biden made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Sadly, those improvements come too late to prevent this incident but it’s clear that federal funds for rail support are critical for Colorado,” Governor Polis concluded. 

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