Except as may be limited by the terms and conditions of any grant, loan, or agreement authorized by this article, a rail district may by contract, lease, or otherwise, for such consideration and term as it may determine, grant to any person the privilege of operating or using any railroad or railroad facilities or property owned or controlled by the rail district. No person may be granted any authority to operate a railroad other than as a common carrier or switching service.
C.R.S. § 32-12-123