Colorado needs more recreational bicycle trails — just not a change to how they’re paid for — lawmakers from both parties agreed Thursday as they voted down a bill to direct more Colorado Lottery money to bike trails along state highways.
A senator from rural Alamosa County suggested a bill to use Colorado Lottery money for recreational bike trails. As bicyclists before the Senate Finance Committee agreed Thursday, Alamosa is one of the worst areas for highway bicycling in the state.
Sen. Larry Crowder argued that his bill could help lay new cycling paths in his area. He cited the popular Pedal The Plains summer cycling event in rural eastern Colorado, saying similar events aren’t feasible in his county because of scant highway shoulders.
“What I’m looking for is some additional help” to add bike lanes, Crowder said.
Other lawmakers were sympathetic, but they called the plan unworkable. The legislature is barred from directing spending decisions at Great Outdoors Colorado, one of the lottery’s beneficiaries.
Lise Aangeenbrug, executive director of Great Outdoors Colorado, said the agency has spent $40 million in the past five years building trails. She opposed the bill, saying it isn’t necessary and that the state constitution bars the funding change.
“We don’t believe the bill is necessary because we do fund trails,” Aangeenbrug said.
The bill failed 5-0.
