Creating jobs, jump-starting Colorado’s economy and rebuilding Colorado’s transportation infrastructure have dominated the 2009 legislative session — and with good reason.The Colorado Labor and Employment Department reports the state’s unemployment rate is 5.8 percent and is projected to grow to 8 percent within the next year.
Equally important is the dismal state of Colorado’s transportation system. Faced with 125 structurally deficient bridges — not including the massive $700 million Interstate-70 overpass through Denver — and an unprecedented number of roadway miles in need of basic maintenance, reconstruction and/or expansion, state leaders can hardly afford to wait another year to begin serious problem-solving.
According to the state demographer, Colorado’s population is projected to grow by 1 million in the next decade, putting even more pressure on roads and bridges.
The fact that lawmakers are working together to simultaneously create jobs, jump-start the economy and rebuild transportation infrastructure bodes well for people in every community throughout the state. Their collaborative approach and quick action are vital for multiple reasons.
The Colorado Contractors Association and its 400 member companies throughout the state have joined a coalition to vigorously support Senate Bill 108, also known as Colorado FASTER (Funding Advancement for Surface Transportation & Economic Recovery), a joint initiative offered by Gov. Bill Ritter and legislative leaders. We applaud their collaborative effort and urge all Coloradans to join us in actively supporting this vital legislative initiative.
The House is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday.
Colorado FASTER seeks to generate $250 million in annual funding for transportation infrastructure and tens of thousands of jobs for Coloradans, while keeping the impact to the average driver at less than $4 a month.
Through Colorado FASTER, multiple civic, business and community groups are coming together to support a legislative solution. With about two months left in Colorado’s legislative session, we urge all legislators to maintain their commitment to stimulating job growth by investing in transportation infrastructure.
CCA member companies, many of whom have had to lay off up to 50 percent of their workforce and collectively eliminated thousands of Colorado jobs in the last 18 months, know firsthand that an investment in our crumbling infrastructure will put people back to work. Independent analysis suggests $1 billion in transportation infrastructure funding will generate some 37,000 jobs.
The good news is that momentum for aggressive legislative action appears to be growing. Through Colorado FASTER, CCA members are eager to help put Colorado’s people back to work.
Tony Milo is executive director of the Colorado Contractors Association, which represents more than 400 companies across Colorado.
