26 Nov 2007 - Below is the link to the preliminary report from Gov. Ritter’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Transportation.

The recommendation of the panel, basically says, the State needs to raise $1.5 billion in new revenue in order to maintain the roads we currently have.  In order to do this the panel is suggesting looking at several areas: increase vehicle registration fees, increase the gas tax, charge a fee for rental cars and hotel/motel rooms.

No real mention of tolling or toll roads to build new roads, although the full report is still in the works.

The new legislative session begins in Jan 2008.  The possibility of running legislation for this session is under consideration, but no concrete ideas have yet come to the forefront as plausible or useful to truly eliminate the ability of a toll road company to claim and hold a toll road corridor indefinitely.

Peace and grace,
Sharon Croghan
 
http://www.dot.state.co.us/StateWidePlanning/PlansStudies/Blue_Ribbon_Reading_Material/November_Blue_Ribbon_Panel_Update.pdf

The November edition covers the panel's final meeting and reviews its recommendations to Governor. The panel's final report is currently in the works and I will make sure to let you know when it is released.

Andrew Stober
Investment Analysis Unit, Manager
Division of Transportation Development
Colorado Department of Transportation
p: 303.757.9793
e: andrew.stober@dot.state.co.us
Drive Safe - Slow for the Cone Zone