Colorado became the latest state to refrain from taking major action on transportation funding when its Legislature adjourned May 12.Ìý
Although both parties and Gov. John Hickenlooper had saidÌýrepeatedlyÌýthat fixing Colorado’s roads was a priority, there was no agreement on how to fill the $800 million annual shortfall identified by Colorado's Department of Transportation.
The idea of raising Colorado’s fuel taxes for the first time in more than two decadesÌý— an issue that has proved divisive in many states — wasn’t seriously considered, but the four-month legislative session was still a bust for transportation. In the final days, Democrats rejected a $3.5 billion bond proposal backed by Republicans, after GOP lawmakers turned down a $700 million, five-year Democratic plan that would have required circumventing Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of RightsÌýrules.Ìý
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