Colorado bill criminalizing transit assault one step closer to becoming law

Frontline transit workers in Colorado are one step closer to securing on-the-job protections after a critical piece of legislation passed the Senate earlier today. 
 
Led by Colorado State Safety & Legislative Director Carl Smith and the SMART-TD Colorado State Legislative Board, “Transit Worker Assault and Training Requirements” widens the definition of a transit worker and imposes harsher penalties for transit assaults. 
 
After Tuesday’s vote, the bill continues its journey to the Governor’s desk. The House of Representatives will review and vote on Senate-added amendments. With only 15 legislative days remaining in the session, supporters know that the clock is ticking.  

Assaulting a transit worker to be a Class I misdemeanor 

As introduced, HB25-1290 creates a specific criminal offense related to assault of a transit worker. Assaults would be classified as a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. 
 
The bill also updates the definition of “transit worker” to include bus operators, train operators, ticket inspectors, conductors, and several other categories including Amtrak workers.  
 
Colorado Safety & Legislative Director Carl Smith says this legislation boils down to one major issue: safety.  

Every state that protects their transit workers brings our union closer to the goal of creating worker protection across the entire nation.  
 
“Transit professionals operate under uniquely dangerous conditions: outnumbered, unarmed, and responsible for the safety of large and ever-changing groups of passengers,” emphasized SLD Smith. “Their main priority is to get riders safely from one place to another, but that job comes with the risk of being punched, kicked, stabbed, or even shot and the perpetrators often walk away with minimal consequences. This is unacceptable, and we’re committed to changing that.” 

Conservatives support increased penalties 

In the House, the bill passed with strong Republican support and cleared the Senate with only five opposing votes.  
 
A handful of Democrats joined their counterparts in supporting the legislation, despite opposition from many within the Caucus citing concerns over increased criminal penalties. 
 
SMART-TD is grateful for the support this bill received from the Republican side of the aisle and from those Democrats who chose to stand up for worker safety.  

The clock is ticking 

With adjournment scheduled for May 7, SLD Smith and the legislation’s supporters are watching lawmakers’ moves closely, especially given what happened in 2024. 
 
With only 10 days left in last year’s legislative session, corporate railroad lobbyists used a pending rail safety bill to threaten passenger rail in the state. Political maneuvering resulted in the new Office of Rail Safety. SLD Smith notes that this bill is just as important and is staying vigilant for any last-minute surprises.

“Safety on the job is not some obscure, abstract policy issue. It’s about life or death for many of our brothers and sisters,” said SLD Smith. “Every SMART-TD member is entitled to go to work without fearing they’ll be assaulted on the job.” 
 
From freight to passenger to bus operations, SLD Smith and his Board have consistently pushed meaningful legislation to protect SMART-TD members and to hold employers, agencies, and now lawmakers accountable for the safety of our workforce.