(1) As used in this section, "railroad peace officer" means any person who is employed by a class I railroad corporation operating within the state of Colorado to protect and investigate offenses against the railroad corporation.
A class I railroad corporation may employ a railroad peace officer to protect andinvestigate offenses against the corporation. Such railroad peace officer, while engaged in the conduct of his or her employment, shall possess and exercise all the powers vested in a peace officer of this state, pursuant to sections 16-2.5-101 and 16-2.5-142, C.R.S. Such authority shall be exercised only in the protection of persons, including on-duty employees, who are located on the class I railroad corporation's property and in the protection of all real and personal property in the current physical possession of such railroad corporation. Such authority may include engaging in immediate pursuit. In the exercise of his or her duties, the railroad peace officer shall have the power to arrest for violation of laws upon railroad property; except that he or she shall be required to notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency before applying for any warrant or lodging any criminal complaint unless the arrest is pursuant to section 40-32-107.
The class I railroad corporation employing the railroad peace officer shall be solelyresponsible for any liability resulting from acts or omissions of the railroad peace officer which arise within the scope and course of his employment.
Source: L. 87: Entire section added, p. 1489, § 2, effective April 30. L. 2000: (2) amended, p. 219, § 12, effective March 29. L. 2003: (2) amended, p. 1627, § 55, effective August 6.