On Monday, the Colorado state Senate approved a landmark transportation bill that will create a sustainable funding source to improve Colorado’s roads, invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and expand multi-modal and transit options to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
The legislation, SB 21-260, was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) and Senator Faith Winter (D-Westminster) who said the bill will save Coloradans money and time spent on roads by reducing congestions, creating new transportation options, and balancing the needs of Colorado communities across the state.
“Whether or not we realize it, we all use our transportation system every single day. Transportation gets our kids to school, delivers groceries and essential goods directly to our homes, and opens up access to every corner of our great state,” Fenberg said. “This plan makes meaningful progress towards a future that can keep up with Colorado’s rapidly growing population and demand for a sustainable transportation system.”
The bill will provide $5.268 billion in funding to fix roads and bridges, improve transit options, meet Colorado’s climate goals, and build resiliency in the state’s transportation system. Funding for the 11-year plan will come from nearly $3.8 billion generated through new user revenue and will leverage nearly $1.5 billion in state general fund revenue and stimulus dollars.
“After months of community planning and more than 130 stakeholder meetings, we have come together with a solution that will creatively and equitably address Colorado’s biggest transportation challenges,” Winter said. “I am incredibly proud of the balance that this bill strikes as well as the urgency with which it acts because Coloradans can’t afford to wait one more minute as our roads crumble, traffic grinds to a halt, and toxic emissions pollute the air we breathe. This bill represents the future of transportation in our state, and it’s a future we can all be proud of.”