Commissioners

Ken Bitten

Colorado Commissioner

Ken Bitten, a resident of Monte Vista, Colorado, brings more than four decades of railroad experience to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission. His career has included leadership roles in operations, mechanical services, passenger rail, administration, marketing and finance.

Mr. Bitten currently owns Classic Rail Cars and manages the purchase, refurbishment and sale of railroad passenger cars at a shop facility in Alamosa, Colorado. Over the course of his career, he has managed or helped start up multiple freight and passenger railroads and has extensive experience with passenger car acquisition, restoration, maintenance and operations.

His background includes service with Iowa Pacific Holdings, where he held roles including General Manager, Director of Passenger Services, Locomotive Engineer and Passenger Car Mechanic. He also served as fleet manager for the company’s passenger cars and as manager of the Alamosa Passenger Car Shop.

Mr. Bitten’s railroad experience also includes leadership roles with the Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, Stewartstown Railroad, Orlando and North Western Railway, Mid Atlantic Rail Car, Northern Central Railway and Indian Head Central Railway. He has also been involved with several railroad and preservation organizations, including the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners, Railroad Passenger Car Alliance, RPCA Educational Foundation, Railroad Passenger Car Numbering Bureau and the National Railway Historical Society.

Mr. Bitten is married and has a son and daughter. In addition to buying selling and working on railroad passenger cars and volunteering with railroad preservation groups, he enjoys traveling with his wife, especially on trains. They reside in Monte Vista, CO in a log cabin.

In July 2026, Mr. Bitten was appointed to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.