Senate Passes Bill to Provide Free Transit Services During Ozone Season

Legislation creates pilot projects in the Department of Transportation to reduce ground-level ozone

DENVER, CO - The Senate today approved SB22-180, sponsored by Senator Faith Winter, D-Westminster, and Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, which would create the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program to provide free transit rides during ozone season.

“Last summer Colorado had the worst air quality in the world, and we must take immediate action to address it,” said Winter. “That’s why I am proud to bring this legislation to reduce local air pollution by offering free transit rides during peak ozone season. This commonsense bill will encourage transit ridership, reduce harmful emissions, and help us further our climate goals while giving Colorado families cleaner, healthier air to breathe.”

“The top emitter of carbon is our transportation sector, and a key way to address it is to increase multimodal options and incentivize ridership on our transit system,” Hinrichsen said. “This initiative will increase access to public transportation while reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted during peak ozone season – an important step we must take to build a healthier Colorado for all and move our state forward."

SB22-180 will also create a transit services pilot project in the Department of Transportation to increase ridership on state-run transit services, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and reduce ground-level ozone.

SB22-180 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.