COMMUNITY TRAPPED BY LOW BRIDGE: RESIDENTS DEMAND ACTION BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES
By Roger Raèl
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, CO — A small historic communityjust outside Trinidad is sounding the alarm over a growingpublic safety issue that residents say has been ignored foryears: a low railroad bridge and restricted access route that is preventing emergency vehicles, construction equipment, and delivery trucks from reaching their properties.
And according to those who live there, it is no longer just aninconvenience. It is a matter of life and death.
Residents gathered near the railroad crossing in the Exit 23 area to discuss the increasing danger posed by the limited clearance under the bridge. The concern is not theoretical. Locals pointed to incidents where fire equipment and largetrucks could not reach the area, potentially putting lives and property at risk.
“So everybody wants to, you know, Steve almost losteverything… including his life,” one resident said during the meeting, referencing a recent emergency where access was limited.
Several residents explained that a ladder truck or larger fireresponse vehicle could have made a difference, but the low clearance makes that nearly impossible.
A cement truck cannot come in. A semi cannot come in.Appliances, building materials, and major deliveries are frequently blocked from access.
One couple shared that they want to purchase their ownsemi and go “over the road” for work, but they cannot justify the investment if they cannot even bring it home.
“How many of you would like to put a new house on yourproperty?” one speaker asked the crowd. “See what I’m saying?”
Residents say the access problem has not only stalledgrowth but has also driven down the potential value and development opportunities for the area.
“This has extremely hurt our community,” one residentstated. “Not to mention the public safety.” IF A TRAIN DERAILS, RESIDENTS SAY THEY’RE “STUCK”
The meeting quickly shifted from inconvenience to fear.
“If that train derails, guess what? All of us on the west side of that bridge are stuck,” a resident warned.
Residents said the situation becomes even moredangerous during wildfire season. “No, wildfire… yeah, we’re stuck,” another resident added.
One participant referenced a recent incident involving aconvoy of equipment over 100 feet long. They argued that if an emergency had occurred during that time, fire crews or ambulances may not have been able to reach the area quickly enough.
“If any of you would have had a medical or emergency or afire… someone could have died or your house could have burned down,” one resident said.
The solution, residents say, could be as straightforward asmodifying the roadway below the bridge. “The county needs to get that dug out a little deeper for us,” one speaker stated.
RESIDENTS SAY COUNTY OFFICIALS WERE INVITED, BUT DID NOT ATTEND
Community members stated they attempted to involve county officials early, but felt dismissed.
“We were trying to get the county road and bridge here, butunfortunately, they didn’t want to come,” a resident said.
Still, residents said they are committed to pursuing the issuethe right way, through formal channels. “We are gunna go talk to the county commissioners,” one resident said.
The meeting included discussion of the risks of residents attempting repairs themselves. Several participantsacknowledged that touching government-owned propertycould lead to serious criminal charges.
“If you touch any bridge… any property that’s governmentowned, it’s vandalism,” a resident said. “You’ll definitely be charged.”
A COMMUNITY READY TO ORGANIZE
Despite frustration, the tone of the gathering was not chaotic.It was organized, forward-looking, and focused on solutions.
Residents discussed possible next steps, including obtainingsurveys and maps, forming agreements, and determining whether responsibility falls on the railroad, the county, or local property owners.
“The easiest way to boil this down is either the railroad’s gotto pay for it, the county’s got to pay for it, or… an HOA agreement,” one resident stated.
Some residents also suggested involving emergencyofficials such as the fire marshal, emphasizing that safety should be the driving issue.
“We just need some officials out here saying, ‘Hey, this isenough to at least talk about.’ Put it on the agenda,” one speaker said.
There was also a strong message that the communitycannot wait years for the problem to be addressed.
“We could litigate this for five or six years with the railroad. We don’t want to do that,” a resident said.
Instead, residents want immediate momentum.
“We got to be active activists now. There’s no sitting on ourasses and just letting this fix itself.” “COMPLAINING DOES NOTHING UNLESS WE STAND TOGETHER”
Perhaps the strongest statement came from a resident whosummed up what many in the crowd were feeling.
“You complain, I complain, we all complain,” the residentsaid. “But unless we stand up together and say this is something we need to do… nothing’s ever gonna get done.”
The crowd emphasized they are not seeking conflict. They are seeking accountability and a solution.
They also stressed that this is not just about convenience. It affects delivery services, housing development, emergency response, and even the safety of the railroad system itself.
“It touches on your lifestyle and that affects a whole chain reaction,” said one resident who didn’t want to be identified for comment. It touches on your safety, and ittouches on the safety security of the Burlington Northern trains through here,” one resident said.
A HISTORIC COMMUNITY BEING LEFT BEHIND
Residents described the area as a historic community datingback to the Santa Fe Trail era, with roots stretching into the 1800s.
“This place goes back to 1890,” one speaker said. “It’s the Santa Fe Trail days.”
Community members said this is not just another ruralneighborhood. It is part of the region’s heritage. “I mean, those pioneers are the ones that established this great nation of ours,” a resident added.
They believe that rural communities like theirs areoften ignored until disaster strikes. “You guys are basically the last frontier for us,” one speaker said.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
At the close of the meeting, residents circulated papers togather names, phone numbers, and signatures to form an organized contact list and begin a formal push for action.
They also discussed contacting agencies such as theColorado Department of Transportation and federal transit officials, as well as pursuing grants and funding options if necessary.
Now, residents are calling on Las Animas County leadership,transportation officials, and railroad representatives to meet with the community and explore immediate solutions. Chandra Ford, one of many concerned residents said ,”This community needs a better way to get in and out not only for emergency purposes but for our daily lives.”
CALL TO ACTION: THIS IS NOT A RURAL COMPLAINT. THIS IS A SAFETY WARNING.
This issue deserves attention not after a tragedy, but before one happens.
Because if the next emergency comes and a ladder truck cannot reach a burning home, or an ambulance cannotreach a resident in distress, the public will not be askingwho complained on Facebook.
They will be asking who ignored the warning.
And this time, the community is making sure that warning is on record
