In Transit | January
 2017
January, 9 2017 

Welcome CASTA Members and friends to the year 2017! We are excited to start the new year with all of you as we work together to provide excellent transit services throughout Colorado. This year, we will be starting up a new monthly feature of one of our member agencies. If your agency or another agency you know is doing something special, send Ariane an email (arianeb@coloradotransit.com) and let her know your recommendation for CASTA "covergirl". We look forward to highlighting the achievements of our members throughout 2017!
Content in this Issue
  • The Colorado State legislative session opens for the 2017 season on January 11, 2017. Check out our state initiatives page for information about this years session as it happens. 
  • Update on CDL License requirement for Colorado.
  • 5310/5311 Meeting January 18th at 10:00 am.
  • New Colorado law requireing transit drivers to report Elder and Adult IDD Abuse.
  • Update from the Executive Directors.
Seasonal Drivers do NOT need Colorado CDL's  
We are very pleased to share a brand new bulletin from the Department of Revenue granting reciprocity for seasonal/temporary drivers.  This means that seasonal transit drivers working for Colorado agencies do not need to get a Colorado CDL if they have a CDL in good standing from another state.  

As the DOR was considering the impact of this exemption on industries beyond transit they have decided not to put a limit on the amount of time a worker is considered temporary.  Essentially the employee can be temporary until the driver owns property or indicates that Colorado is their permanent residence in some way.   

In addition there is no limit for how many times a person can come back to an agency and be considered temporary.

Please note that there are five states where this exemption does not apply as they are issued by non-Driver License Compact states: Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.

Read the bulletin for more specifics.

A big thank you to all of you CDL gurus who kindly answer all the odd and random CDL questions we come up with at the CASTA offices-we couldn't do it without you!

CASTA Invites You to 5311/5310 Meeting
CASTA is hosting a third 5311/5310 conference call open to any of our member agencies to discuss the further progression of CDOT policies regarding the 5310/5311 funding. The details of the call are below. 

5311/5310 Membership Meeting 
Wed, Jan 18, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM MST 

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 
You can also dial in using your phone. 
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412 

Access Code:  206-704-525

First GoToMeeting? Try a test session: 

Elder and Adult IDD Abuse Reporting Required by Transit Drivers
A new law was enacted on July 1, 2016 regarding reporting suspected abuse of at-risk elders and adults with IDD. The list of mandatory reporters includes "Employees, contractors and volunteers operating specialized transportation services for at-risk elders and at-risk adults with IDD".  Click here to read the full statute.

In response to this new law CASTA is planning a train the trainer session to address this at the spring conference.


 Update from the Executive Directors
  • Participated in the December CDOT Efficiency & Accountability Committee
     
  • Working with a group of transportation stakeholders on a statewide survey on transportation funding launching this week
     
  • Attended Progressive 15 holiday coffee and had some interesting conversation about healthcare and transit in rural Colorado.
     
  • Met with Representative Duran , Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, and discussed the needs of transit in Colorado, CASTA's transit fund bill and the statewide transportation referred initiative.
     
  • Attended meeting with Representative Duran , Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, with a group of alternative mode stakeholders including SWEEP, CoPirg, Live Well Colorado, and others to discuss funding in the referred initiative for transit, bike and pedestrian needs.
     
  • Participated in the December TRAC 5311/5310 Subcommittee meeting.
     
  • Met with Crystal Soderman , Traffic Records Manager of the Department of Revenue where she presented us with a draft of a CDL exemption allowing drivers to work in colorado seasonally under an out of state CDL for an unspecified amount of time.
     
  • Preparing 2016 Year End Report

Until next time, enjoy your start of 2017! 

Sincerely,

The CASTA Crew 

Upcoming Events 
January 11 | Colorado State Legislative Session Opens 

Check out what policy issues CASTA is working on this year below! 

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January 18 | 5311/5310 Member Meeting  

Subject:5311/5310 Policy

Format: Conference Call 

Time: 10am 

Details below. 

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May 16-19 | CASTA Spring Conference 

Where: Fort Collins 

Check in for details in the coming months!

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Colorado Association of Transit Agencies
110 16th Street
Suite 604
Denver, CO 80202

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