Gov. Bill Ritter said plans to repair the Capitol’s golden dome are on hold, at least for now. At an event for State Capitol Life Safety Project Day on Monday, Ritter said funding safety features such as additional fire exits and a sprinkler system were a higher priority than spending the $11 million he said would be needed to repair the dome.
The governor said it might be a few years before the money to repair the dome is raised. “It depends on the cycle of the economy,” he said. “When we get to a place where we’re seeing an uptick in revenues, then we’ll look at how to invest money in our infrastructures.”
The 19th-century dome is made almost completely from cast iron. That iron is rusting, causing the structure to crumble. But state officials say the public is not in any danger. Visitors have not been allowed on the walkway around the dome since a 10-pound piece of cast iron fell off in 2007.
This year, the State Historical Fund offered a $3 million grant, paid for with casino revenues, to repair the dome, but only if the state could provide the other $8 million needed. When lawmakers denied the request, the historical fund took back the money. Claire Trageser, The Denver Post
