With the election season well underway in Colorado it can be both confusing and overwhelming trying to keep up with every ballot initiative. We here at Denver South EDP, having done the research and listened to our communities, fully back Let’s Go, Colorado, a new funding source to fix our roads.
For decades, we have lacked the resources to maintain our roads, highways and local bus routes all across Colorado. We need a statewide solution that ensures local governments have the resources to meet demands, addresses high-priority projects on state highways, and promotes multimodal transportation options that reduce congestion.
The Let’s Go, Colorado proposal–Proposition 110 will increase the state’s sales tax an additional .62% on the dollar. This revenue will address longstanding problems with funding transportation projects in the state.
We sat down with our Managing Director, Lauren Masias, to dive deep into why this topic is so important for all Coloradoans.
The first thing I see is tax increase, why would anyone want to vote for that?
LM: A sales tax allows everyone who uses our road to chip in, including tourists. When looking at the actual numbers our proposal only increases the sales tax by .62%, a little more than half a cent on the dollar.
What will the money be used for?
LM: If approved by voters, this will generate in excess of $750 MLN/year and the ballot question specifies that 45% is to be used for statewide projects by CDOT, 40% is to be distributed to Local Governments and 15% is to be used to fund ‘multi-modal’ projects anywhere in Colorado.
In essence, the money will fund critical state projects to increase safety, make it easier to get around, support multimodal transit and fund local street and highway projects as determined by their leadership.
That seems like a lot of money, do we really need that much, I thought the gas tax already paid for that?
LM: State Gasoline Taxes don’t cover anywhere near what the needs are and CDOT has a more than $9B backlog of projects with no funding.
The failure of CDOT to be able to keep up with the growth in the metro area and on I-70 to the mountains has caused a growing drumbeat from citizens for growth/development limitations and a couple of Cities are already just moments away from adopting 1% residential growth restrictions.
What about Proposition 110 do people need to know?
Let’s Go, Colorado has been certified for the November ballot following the submission of more than 198,000 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State – that’s 100,00 more than required! Our ballot number is #110.
The statewide coalition in support is growing everyday – and from every corner of Colorado. Local and state elected leaders, community, business and civic leaders and organizations are coming on board to ensure this measure passes on Election Day. The momentum is exciting!
You can keep track of the growing list of endorsers at letsgocolorado.com. The website also provides details about the proposal.
You can keep track of the growing list of endorsers at letsgocolorado.com. The website also provides details about the proposal.
If anyone out there still has questions or would like to provide support, what can they do?
LM: More information can be found at LetsGoColorado.com.
