As executive director of the Department of Local Affairs under Governor Bill Ritter, I learned about Colorado communities by walking their downtowns. We have some fabulous commercial districts in every corner of the state, including very special neighborhoods in metro Denver that function like main streets in more isolated, rural areas. To keep these places special and to help them prosper, we have to make sure we continue to support them with safe and reliable transportation infrastructure.
Most of our downtowns and business districts are supported by transportation systems that Coloradans themselves have invested in and built. Beyond tax dollars, many cities and towns throughout Colorado host state and federal highways that also serve as their main streets with historic buildings lining the roadways like spectators. These highways, along with county roads and city streets, represent generations of commitments to provide a solid, safe infrastructure to keep people and our economy moving.
Our transportation systems are a collective, public responsibility because they benefit everyone. Though Colonial Americans at first tried to leave road and bridge building to private interests, they soon discovered that the economic well-being of the nation required public investment in transportation to support trade and commerce. For two centuries, Americans have agreed to support transportation infrastructure – a basic service we expect to pay for and benefit from together. And in 2011, few citizens dispute the importance of the public’s role in supporting transportation.
We have invested a bundle in our existing transportation system, yet, unfortunately, we’ve done a poor job maintaining it. Already, Colorado has invested too little in routine repair, a mistake that will cost the state $71 million annually for the next 20 years to correct.
An important step towards investing in our infrastructure was made in 2009 when the General Assembly and Governor Bill Ritter successfully supported the so-called FASTER bill. FASTER won bipartisan support from a statewide coalition consisting of local officials, business representatives and environmentalists. State law requires that the funds be expended on projects that support the state highway system, county highways, city streets and other public roads.
In a smart move, the Colorado General Assembly dedicated the first dollars generated from the FASTER revenue to repairing deficient bridges and major roads that are in poor condition and that threatened the health and safety of citizens. Additional annual revenue began to flow in 2009 for transportation projects, including improvements to more than 100 structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges.
These are facilities that we have already bought and paid for and like our personal residences, automobiles and bikes, our roads and bridges need regular upkeep. Even with these new resources, we are not keeping up with the maintenance of our transportation systems and our neglect is snowballing. We cannot abandon the important responsibility to maintain and improve our transportation systems.
In addition to making our roads safer, FASTER also helped create jobs in Colorado. Transportation improvements are made by people from our communities; these jobs cannot be sent overseas.
As we emerge from the most serious recession since the Great Depression, we have to be smart about our priorities and devote resources to maintaining our existing investments in transportation infrastructure and, at the same time, provide jobs to Coloradoans. Businesses along our main streets will be the beneficiaries.
Susan Kirkpatrick served as executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs from 2007 to 2011 under Governor Bill Ritter, and as Mayor of Fort Collins from 1990 to 1993. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
