Fixing Colorado's Roads Versus More Bike Lanes, Ballot Question Reviewed

You're not alone if you've traveled rural Colorado's bedraggled highways and roads, hit a huge bump to utter words that would make your mama blush.

Right now the state of Colorado is reviewing signatures on a petition that would let you, the voter, say that money collected to fix the roads actually goes to fixing the roads.

Sounds crazy but in the past a large portion of the state's transportation budget has gone to projects like bike lanes, public transit like buses and rail lines and environmental and emissions programs. Some folks in rural Colorado say that doesn't do anything for them and just want to roll down a highway without feeling like the stretch of highway should be sponsored by a Chiropractor. No more hot coffee spilled weaving all over the road to avoid the rural road craters.

Should the state board certify the signatures collected, and they have to do so by June 25, 2026, you will get to have your voice known in November on the ballot.

This is what the question you will get to vote on will look like:

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution changing existing law on transportation funding, and, in connection therewith, increasing the amount of state revenue dedicated to road transportation; requiring state revenue collected from various transportation-related sources to only be used on “road transportation” defined to include building and fixing roads and bridges, improving driver safety, covering related planning and engineering costs, and funding for the Colorado State Patrol; and decreasing funding for other transportation-related services and programs provided by the state and local governments?

You can get into the weeds reading about other ballot questions and some proposed, here: https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/index.html

And here is a copy of the final text of the state question 175