A Change to Colorado Transportation Funding Process was Tucked in a Free-transit Bill. Rural

Leaders are livid. continued from page 10...

And the STAC shall consider highway corridors, commuting patterns, transitoriented development and “levels of air pollutants” when adjusting the boundaries of the TPRs.

To rural communities in Colorado, the amendment reads like less-populated areas with less pollution will have less of a voice when it comes to accessing federal highway funding.

The amendment was approved by the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee on Feb. 27.

Sen. Faith Winter, a Westminster Democrat and a lead sponsor of the bill, introduced the amendment briefly in the hearing, saying the changes to the geographic makeup of TPRs were “at the request of CDOT.” The bill and amendments passed the committee on a 5-0 vote.

The bill then cleared the Senate on March 3 and was sent back for the House to approve the change.

The House has delayed consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill twice this week.

“This amendment is to reflect the goals of the state of Colorado around transportation and transit and climate,” Winter told The Colorado Sun on Tuesday. “It absolutely does not hurt rural Colorado.” changes to what he called an “innocuous bill” are “appalling.”

Rogalski said the amendment would shrink rural TPRs and expand metro representation on STAC and “that does not serve the people of this state.”

“They have made this bill into something that changes everything,” he said. “It’s a rearranging that will mess up everything.”

Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue sees her community buried in cars every winter weekend. There’s no way her county budget could address the needed infrastructure improvements required to accommodate the millions of skiers rolling into the county’s four major ski areas via I-70 every season.

The current funding process that funnels through the county’s Intermountain TPR, which includes Eagle, Garfield, Lake and Pitkin counties, “doesn’t get us to a place where we can address what is happening in our county,” she said. The Intermountain TPR accounts for 3.1% of the state’s population with 6.7% of the roads in Colorado and 6.8% of the total miles driven.

“I appreciate the concerns about the process,” she said, noting the last-minute amendment to a bill that addresses funding for free bus rides during high ozone periods. “But it’s time to talk about the overall factors that go into equitable funding of transportation projects across the state. We are long overdue for some changes in this transportation funding space and it’s time to have this conversation.”

CDOT argues the amendment “helps rural Colorado”

Matthew Inzeo, communications director at CDOT, said it is “fundamentally inaccurate that the purpose of this amendment is to take funding away from rural communities.” The amendment, he said, “helps rural Colorado” by requiring the transportation commission “to revisit the balance amongst rural regions.”

The Intermountain TPR, for example, has 169,000 residents in Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin and Summit counties, while the South Central TPR has fewer than 21,000 residents in Huerfano and Las Animas counties. Boundaries have not been revisited for decades, Inzeo said in an email.

“This amendment would start a public process to take a fresh look at these boundaries and make sure all residents of rural Colorado are getting fair representation in the transportation planning process and have the opportunity to participate in the conversation,” Inzeo said. “CDOT will have robust outreach should this language pass—just as we have done with other efforts that the legislature has directed.”

Motorists use Interstate 70 during evening holiday travel on Dec. 23, 2021, near Evergreen.

(Hugh Carey, The Colorado Sun)

Winter said the amendment is aimed at making sure the state’s transportation planning regions are drawn “in a way that actually represents population and the goals that we’ve set forward in transit legislation.”

When asked if local governments were consulted on the amendment, Winter said there were conversations and that the Colorado Department of Transportation “has been discussing this for awhile.”

Opposition to the change

State Sen. Dylan Roberts, an Avon Democrat, voted against the bill on Friday, joining 10 Republican senators. He’d heard from TPR members in rural communities who were concerned about redrawing the regions’ boundaries based on population counts, he said.

“The idea of redrawing TPRs is not new and there could be some benefit for smaller communities, but we need to do it as separate bill and have a full stakeholder process to make sure it’s not just based on population,” said Roberts, whose district includes all or portions of Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt and Summit counties. “While not everybody lives in our area, they certainly come and visit and they have impacts to our roads and environments.”

“This will completely combine all the TPRs into a large rural populace and give us zero voice when it comes to funding for our roads,” said Heather Sloop, a Steamboat Springs councilmember who serves on the STAC as chair of the five-county Northwest Travel Planning Region. The region contains 1.1% of the state’s population and 7.2% of the state’s lane miles.

The STAC met last week with CDOT officials. There was no mention of an amendment that could reorganize the transportation advisory committee, Sloop said.

“They deliberately did not say a thing. I am accusing CDOT of not giving STAC information. Please quote me,” Sloop said. “This smells so dirty and undercutting and gross and unethical.”

Margaret Bowes, director of the 28-member I-70 Coalition, said her group was “surprised by the amendment.”

“We are really trying to get a better understanding of what the changes might mean for I-70 Coalition members,” said Bowes, whose group of 20 rural municipalities, three rural counties, four ski resorts and one mining company, works to improve flow on the busy central mountain corridor of Interstate 70. “Ultimately we want to ensure that any changes to the boundaries of the TPRs do not diminish rural representation at the state level on boards like the STAC and the transportation commission.”

Club 20, a coalition of businesses, tribes and local governments in Colorado’s 22 western counties that formed in 1953 in response to rural transportation funding challenges, sent out an email blast Tuesday afternoon urging members to reach out to legislators to block a “devastating transportation representation bill” that is “being fast tracked” through the statehouse.

“This bill would have devastating impacts to rural Colorado’s representation and, if passed, would silence the voices of western Colorado and rural communities,” the Club 20 email reads.

They deliberately did not say a thing. I am accusing CDOT of not giving STAC information. Please quote me. This smells so dirty and undercutting and gross and unethical.

— Heather Sloop, Steamboat Springs council member and member of the State Transportation Advisory Committee

Vince Rogalski has been chairman of the STAC for 19 years, representing the sixcounty Gunnison Valley TPR, which has about 1.8% of the state’s population and 6.5% of its roads. He just heard about the amendment to House Bill 1101 on Monday night. He fired off a note to House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, telling her the

The House could reject the Senate amendment. Assistant House Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat who is another lead sponsor of the bill, said she plans to closely review the change.

“We need to have a conversation about it,” she said.

Colorado Sun staff writer Jesse Paul contributed to this report.

The

10 Bills that were Doomed in Colorado’s Democratic Legislature that Republicans Introduced Anyway

One way for the power-limited GOP to make their voices heard at the Capitol is by introducing “statement bills.” Some of the measures are highly controversial.

by Elliott Wenzler, The Colorado Sun

party lines by the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 9 after more than an hour of testimony.

Dissuading enforcement of federal firearms laws

House Bill 1044: From Rep. Ken DeGraaf of Colorado Springs this bill would have created a civil penalty for enforcing federal laws that are deemed to have infringed on the right to bear arms. It was rejected 8-2 along party lines after two hours of testimony Feb. 6 in the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Abortion ban

House Bill 1119: This bill, also brought by Bottoms, would have abolished abortion in Colorado by including any fetus in the definition of “person” as it relates to things like homicide and assault. The House Health and Insurance Committee heard three hours of testimony and then voted 8-3 along party lines to reject it on Feb. 17.

Voting systems wireless connections

House Bill 1055: This bill from Rep. Rod Bockenfeld of Watkins prohibits the use of voting systems that are capable of establishing a wireless connection beginning in 2024. It was rejected 8-3 along party lines by the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 13 after nearly two hours of testimony.

Carbon dioxide as a pollutant

House Bill 1163: Another bill from DeGraaf that would have prohibited state and local governments from classifying carbon dioxide as a pollutant or enforcing regulations on the chemical compound that deem it a pollutant. It was rejected 8-3 along party lines by the House Energy and Environment Committee on Feb. 23 after 45 minutes of testimony.

COVID-19 vaccine requirements for minors

House Bill 1029: A bill that would have prohibited requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for minors, administering vaccinations without guardian consent and discriminating against unvaccinated minors was introduced by Bradley and Sen. Mark Baisley. It was rejected 8-3 along party lines by the House Health and Insurance Committee on Feb. 7 after two and a half hours of testimony.

Banning abortion. Restricting transgender athletes’ participation in school sports. Slashing state revenues by cutting the income tax rate.

A wave of bills Republicans are introducing in the Democrat-controlled Colorado legislature reads like a list of hot-button GOP talking points. And that’s not by mistake, even if they have no chance of becoming law.

House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, R-Wellington, said the measures — some of which are highly controversial — are “statement bills” that show Coloradans what Republicans’ priorities are and how they would lead the state if they were in charge.

“I think if we were suddenly to be in the majority, you’d see a whole bunch of really drastic right-wing legislation,” Lynch said. “But I think that’s largely a factor of the fact that we’ve been out of the majority for so long. We’re trying to fix these things that have piled up over the last 10 years.”

The legislation may only be sponsored by a handful of Republicans, but they reflect on the entire caucus. Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, urged people not to necessarily lump the entire GOP together.

“The Republican caucus is an intellectually diverse caucus. It brings an array of perspectives,” he said. “One or two people have a strong conviction of this specific nature and there may be other perspectives.”

Immunity for business owners using force

House Bill 1050: Introduced by Rep. Ty Winter of Trinidad, this bill would have expanded immunity of business owners, employees and customers from criminal prosecution and civil liability in a situation in which they use physical force to protect themselves or others against an intruder. It was rejected 8-2 along party lines by the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 6 after about two hours of testimony.

Eliminating caucus and assembly process for primaries

Senate Bill 101: This bill from Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Brighton, and Rep. Mary Bradfield, R-Colorado Springs, would have eliminated the ability of candidates to qualify for primary ballots through the assembly process. It was rejected 4-1 by the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee on Feb. 16 after about an hour of testimony.

State fees on retail deliveries

House Bill 1166: This bill would have repealed a 27 cent state fee on retail deliveries and was sponsored by House Assistant Minority Leader Rose Pugliese of Colorado Springs and Sen. Perry Will of New Castle. It was rejected 9-4 along party lines by the House Transportation, Housing and Local Government Committee on Feb. 21 after 10 minutes of testimony.

The Colorado Sun is a reader-supported news organization that covers Colorado people, places and issues. To sign up for free newsletters, subscribe or learn more, visit ColoradoSun.com

Colorado Corn Administrative Committee Announces Rebrand

[Centennial, CO March 7, 2023] Today, the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee (CCAC) announced a major rebranding, including name and logo. Starting today, the organization has officially rebranded to the Colorado Corn Promotion Council (CCPC). This improved branding will better reflect the organization’s mission and its commitment to the Colorado grain corn producers.

“The 2021-2022 year was a big year for our organization. I am excited to announce one of our biggest accomplishments, and that is the rebranding of our organization! We will now be known as the Colorado Corn Promotion Council. This change came from our strategic plan and better reflects the work our organization does day in and day out to promote the corn industry in Colorado,” said Rod Hahn, CCPC President.

Democrats are running into the same political conundrum, including when it comes to a bill that would let local governments enact rent control policies and another that would legalize safe-injection sites, where people could use illicit drugs under medical supervision. The governor, whose signature is vital for any bill to become law, has signaled he’s skeptical about both. Democrats introduced them anyway.

Each legislator is permitted to introduce five bills, and each one must get a hearing. That’s different from in Congress, where leadership can shelve legislation they don’t like.

In other words: Democrats are effectively powerless to stop controversial GOP measures from seeing the light of day.

The day of a committee hearing for several Republican abortion-related bills — including a total ban on the procedure — Democrats said statement bills aren’t new.

“It is important that we take them seriously and that they are heard,” said House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “We will still honor this institution by making sure that every piece of legislation is heard in committee in a fair way and then our public has a moment to share their voices and perspectives.”

Here are 10 bills introduced by Republicans in the legislature this year that have been rejected by the Democratic majority — and were always likely to meet that fate.

Restricting school sports participation based on biological sex

House Bill 1098: This bill, sponsored by Reps. Lisa Frizell, Brandi Bradley and Sen. Byron Pelton, would have required that student athletes only participate in sports based on their biological sex at birth. It was rejected 8-3 along party lines by the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Feb. 13 after an hour and a half of tes timony.

Reduction of state income tax rate

House Bill 1063: Introduced by Rep. Scott Bottoms of Colorado Springs, this bill would have reduced the state income tax to 3.5% from 4.4% beginning in the 2024 tax year — slashing the state’s general fund by billions of dollars. It was rejected 8-3 along

Established and led by farmers, the CCPC is a state checkoff agency created in 1987, with passionate volunteer producer-leaders and talented administrative staff, focused on creating larger markets for corn produced in Colorado. The organization manages demand-building programs and research projects on behalf of Colorado grain corn and a one-penny per bushel assessment. For more than 30 years checkoff assessments have proven to promote utilization of grain corn and advance the use of the most innovative technology. The rebranding reflects the way the organization has grown, and better represents what they do.

The new brand identity is rooted in the work done through the strategic plan and better embodies the mission of our organization’s heritage. “The CCAC has always had a focus on improving the corn industry in Colorado,” said Nicholas Colglazier, Executive Director of Colorado Corn Promotion Council, “our new brand now truly reflects our mission, being the trusted, tireless promoters of corn.” The rebrand marks a milestone as the organization continues to promote Colorado grain corn with a new name and logo that will all work with its new mission, vision, and priorities.

The CCPC engages local communities in ways that showcase the long-term environmental services and important economic impact delivered by Colorado corn producers to communities across the state, and around the world. Domestic and international demand for corn and corn by-products, biofuels, and animal-based products like meat, eggs and milk is built through the work of the CCPC and their partners.

Caldara: Polis has the Political Pull to Rein in Legislature

by Jon Caldara, Complete Colorado

Our governor is mega-wealthy in terms of personal cash, able to buy himself a term on the State Board of Education for a cool million when no previous candidate spent more than $10,000. Then he bought five terms as a U.S. congressman and two terms as Colorado’s top executive.

But Polis doesn’t just have monetary capital. He’s also swimming in political capital. I mean he is like Saudi prince-kinda-rich. But unlike financial capital, this wealth is very fleeting.

If Polis doesn’t use it, and fast, he will lose it.

Here’s a couple of examples of use and misuse of political capital.

After the first Gulf War, read-my-lips-no-new-taxes George H. Bush reached an approval rating of 93%. Like putting a man on the moon, running a four-minute-mile or a gay Jewish man becoming governor of Colorado, this was considered a scientific impossibility.

Bush sat on that rating, that political capital, like it was a La-Z-Boy he could nap on through retirement.

Bush’s re-election was so certain no “A” level presidential candidates emerged early to challenge him. Some backwater southern yahoo ran just to boost his “Bill Clinton” name recognition.

Bush’s La-Z-Boy turned out to be a pool floaty chair with a huge hole in it. He didn’t use his political wealth before the air went out.

Bush ended up caving to congress from the Americans with Disabilities Act to tax hikes (doesn’t matter what you think of these policies, Bush didn’t want them). History remembers him as a weak, caretaker one-term president.

When Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom in 1979 her political capital was low. Inflation hit 18%, the Soviet Union rolled into Afghanistan, much of her country was on the welfare dole, with an escalating sense of entitlement and victimhood. Her approval rating skidded to 23%, a certain one-termer.

(Funny how those social ills sound familiar.)

Then Argentina invaded the Falk-land Islands, a British territory. Her decisive leadership in the war gave her political capital that Bush would experience years later. But unlike Bush, Thatcher wouldn’t squander it.

She quickly used that connection with the people to direct their attention and pressure to the out-of-touch lawmakers to stop their madness and instead unleash pro-people reforms which saved the U.K.

Using that capital, she sold off government-owned industries and privatized railways and bus systems. In what progressives would cheer today, she closed unprofitable government owned coal mines. She took on big labor and the welfare state. She passed the Environmental Protection Act and created the International Panel on Climate Change. She was key in ending the cold war and became the longest serving prime minister of the 20th century.

Back to Gov. Polis, who was swept back into office with a massive 18-point victory. He has the luxury of being term-limited, or next stop White House if he likes. Point being: he doesn’t have to please the wingnuts in the legislature. He can please middle-voters in Iowa or nobody if he chooses.

The polling I’ve seen has him off the-charts with Colorado voters. He’s seen the same. It’s not 93%, but many different polls have him riding enormously, colossally high. And no Jared, it won’t last. Never does.

Yes, he’ll veto some easy stuff and the media will fall over itself to award him “profiles in courage.” It ain’t. When Gavin Newsom vetoes a “safe injection site” bill, it makes vetoes like that mandatory, not brave.

The polls also show Coloradans want their taxes cut, they don’t like the legislature — and they care for Biden even less.

So now he has all the political capital he needs to publicly and loudly call out the legislature on why he’ll veto any of their plans to raise fees and taxes, why he’ll not open Pandora’s Box of rent control, why he won’t de facto unionize private-sector workers, why he won’t raise energy costs, etc.

He no longer needs to “work behind the scenes” to make monstrously awful bills just slightly less monstrously awful. He can publicly take on such bad ideas, kill the bills and gather MORE political capital.

In fact, now is the time for him to, Thatcher-style, seize his moment and drag his legislature to pass HIS agenda, not their anti-people one. Polis wants to bring the income tax closer to zero. He has the capital to make that happen, now.

Is he a wimp like Bush, or a man like Thatcher?

We’ll find out by the end of the session.

Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute, a free market think tank in Denver.

Weld County CattleWomen Scholarship

The Weld County CattleWomen are offering a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a college junior, senior or a student studying for an advanced degree in the fall of 2023. The student needs to be a Weld County, Colorado resident, or have parents/ grandparents that are Weld County residents, and be attending college with a minimum GPA of 2.5. The student must be planning to attend a school full time for the 2023-2024 school year, in a bachelors or graduate level program.

To apply the applicant must submit:

1. Cover Sheet with name, address, and email. If address listed is not in Weld County describe how you qualify (parents address, etc)

2. A 1 page essay on “How I plan to positively influence the beef industry with my chosen major”.

3. A brief statement/resume including the following: work history, community involvement, college activities, future goals.

4. Two letters of reference

5. Copy of college transcript.

Send completed application to Sallie Miller, 48335 CR 83, Briggsdale, CO 80611 or smiller@wigginstel.com.

Applications are due by May 1, 2023. Winners will be announced by May 15, 2023.