The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has established an Office of Innovative Mobility to address new mobility options such as ridesharing, electrification and modern technologies.
The new office replaces the Division of Transit and Rail, and will report solely to CDOT’s executive director. In its new role, it will also lead CDOT’s part in Gov. Jared Polis’ transportation electrification workgroup, which has been a critical part of his efforts to explore multimodal transportation options in Colorado.
The office’s first chief will be Sophie Shulman, until recently from the electric vehicle charging company known as Electrify America. In the past, she has also worked at the U.S. Department of Transportation, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
“We are thrilled to have Sophie join the leadership team at CDOT, to spearhead efforts to expand multi-modal transportation and provide a more sustainable, efficient and equitable network,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said. “These issues are critical to improving travel options and quality of life for Coloradans, by reducing both congestion on the roads and congestion in the air.”
The changes and considerations made by the new Office of Innovative Mobility could end up affecting options for residents spread between and beyond Colorado’s 23,000 miles of highway and 3,429 bridges.