ICYMI: Bill to Encourage Increased Transportation Options Passes Committee

SB25-030 would encourage alternative modes of transportation

DENVER, CO – Yesterday, the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senators Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, to encourage increased transportation options to make sustainable transportation more accessible, convenient, and reliable. 

“This bill is a bold step to give Coloradans freedom and choice in how they move and access transit. It helps connect different modes of transportation like biking, walking, taking transit, or driving, to ensure everyone can get to where they need to go," Winter said. “A third of Coloradans don't drive due to economic circumstances, disability, age or choice – this bill increases equity in access. Eighty nine percent of Coloradans want an increase in choice on mobility and this bill is an important step forward.”

“This bill is a practical, long-term solution to a host of different issues – from traffic congestion to climate change,” Hinrichsen said. “We all love shorter commute times and more options to get to school, work, and community spaces. Senate Bill 30 would help give us a clear, practical path to make sure the state’s transit agencies are partners in achieving that goal.”

SB25-030 would establish “Transit and Active Transportation Project Inventories” to allow the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and local governments to efficiently identify gaps in transit, bicycle, and pedestrian infrastructure in state and regional transit systems. Inventories would be utilized to inform future planning of multimodal infrastructure projects and allow CDOT to better identify funding gaps and opportunities. 

The transportation sector is one of Colorado’s largest air polluters. This bill would build on past efforts by Senate Democrats to support multimodal transit infrastructure, such as last year’s SB24-036, also sponsored by Senator Winter, which funded bicycle and pedestrian safety infrastructure.

SB25-030 now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.