\version "2.19.25"

overrideColor =
#(define-music-function (ctx color) (symbol? color?)
   (make-sequential-music
    (map (lambda (dsc)
           (propertyOverride (list ctx (car dsc) 'color) color))
      all-grob-descriptions)))

\score {
  <<
    \new Staff {
      % try commenting the first note
      c'4
      \once\hide Staff.BarLine \bar "|" % workaround to issue 3949
      \stopStaff
      \overrideColor Staff #blue
      \startStaff
      c'4.
    }
    \new Staff <<
      {
        c'4
        \once\hide Staff.BarLine \bar "|" % workaround to issue 3949
        \stopStaff
        \overrideColor Voice #blue
        \override Staff.LedgerLineSpanner.color = #blue
        \startStaff
        c'4.
      }
      \\
      {
        a4
        a4.
      }
    >>
  >>
}