DENVER - The Colorado House Capital Development Committee devoted $1 million in federal stimulus funds Tuesday for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and New Mexico will match that amount to fund long-awaited improvements to the track.

Money from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act account for Colorado's share of the funding.

State Rep. Edward Vigil, D-Ft. Garland, who represents much of southern rural Colorado and the San Luis Valley said, "Built in 1880, the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad is an important part of our history and an important part of our future economic development. The Railroad employs many workers in Conejos County and brings tourists into the area. If we don't adequately support the railroad, and the C&T were to close, our small towns like Antonito could become ghost towns. I support the full funding of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad as a means to keep our hometowns viable and thriving."

The railway is acclaimed by Vigil as the source of about 50 jobs split evenly between southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.

Rep. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, a member of the Capital Development Committee, was happy with the outcome of the fund allocation vote. "I'm especially pleased that this will benefit Conejos County, one of the poorest in the state," she said.

She added that the Cumbres and Toltec track has needed improvement for years, but funding was regarded as a lower priority to projects for higher education.

According to a capital construction request submitted by the railroad, track conditions have deteriorated during the past 35 years due to erosion and inadequate funding to perform ongoing maintenance, posing a risk of derailment, accidents and delays.

Gov. Bill Ritter earmarked stimulus funds for work on the track, so the project could begin before this year's final budget is adopted by the General Assembly. The funds will pay for adding ballasts, leveling the track and making improvements to tunnels and trestles. Those measures would permit and lure higher tourism traffic, noted Ed Nichols, president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Historical Society.

The Cumbres & Toltec Railroad is in the middle of a five-phase planned rehabilitation of its 69 miles of track.

The funding through Colorado will help the state's efforts to match the support that New Mexico has given the railway.