Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Compact
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| Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Compact | |
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| Formation date: | 1974 |
| Member jurisdictions: | 2 |
| Issue(s): | Historic preservation |
| Compact website | |
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The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Compact is an interstate compact between Colorado and New Mexico. The compact provides for joint acquisition, ownership, and control of the interstate narrow gauge scenic railroad. This compact also has congressional consent.[1]
History
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is a 64-mile portion of the former Denver & Rio Grande railroad system that used to run from Santa Fe to Denver. It was originally built in 1880.[2]
In 1970, the states of Colorado and New Mexico together bought the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and turned it into a living history museum for the public. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission was started in 1977 to oversee the operation of the railroad.[2][3]
Governance
The compact created the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission to manage the railroad. It is composed of four gubernatorially-appointed members; two from each state.[3]
The commission is responsible for the preservation and development of the railroad and for promoting it as an educational tool.[3] The commission designated the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. as the official museum support group. This group's mission "is to preserve and interpret the railroad and to support its operation for the people of Colorado and New Mexico who own it, and the tens of thousands of visitors who come to be transported back in time through the beauty of the San Juan Mountains."[4]
Text of the compact
The legislature of each member state passes the laws with certain modifications, but the core of the legislation remains the same. The text below comes from Colorado state law.[5]
Article IThe states of New Mexico and Colorado agree jointly to acquire, own and make provision for the operation of the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad. Article IIThe states of New Mexico and Colorado hereby ratify and affirm the agreement of July 1, 1970, entered between the railroad authorities of the states. Article IIIThe states of New Mexico and Colorado agree to make such amendments to the July 1, 1970, agreement and such other contracts, leases, franchises, concessions or other agreements as may hereafter appear to both states to be necessary and proper for the control, operation or disposition of the said railroad. Article IVThe states of New Mexico and Colorado agree to the consideration of the enactment of such laws or constitutional amendments exempting the said railroad or its operations from various laws of both states as both states shall hereafter mutually find necessary and proper. Article VNothing contained herein shall be construed so as to limit, abridge or affect the jurisdiction or authority, if any, of the interstate commerce commission over the said railroad, or the applicability, if any, of the tax laws of the United States to the said railroad or its operations. |
See also
External links
- The Council of State Governments - National Center for Interstate Compacts
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Compact
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission
- Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc.
Footnotes
- ↑ National Center for Interstate Compacts, "Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Compact," accessed January 27, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cumbres & Toltec, "Cumbres & Toltec History," accessed February 19, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, "About," accessed February 19, 2021
- ↑ Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc., "Home," accessed February 19, 2021
- ↑ Justia US Law, "2018 Colorado Revised Statutes: Title 24 - Government - State: Interstate Compacts and Agreements: Article 60 - Interstate Compacts and Agreements: Part 19 - Ratification of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Compact § 24-60-1901. Ratification of compact," accessed February 19, 2021
