October 28, 2015
In September Gov. John Hickenlooper announced a plan to spend more than $100 million over the next four years to make Colorado “the best state for biking.” This is great news for the state and for our region and is the result of years of hard work by many advocacy groups. Additionally, the environmental perspective and commitment of our millennial generation cannot be underestimated as we see funding such as this come to fruition. Maybe the excitement of the new US 36 Bikeway also was a factor in this important decision. And with a fresh approach under new executive director Shailen Bhatt, CDOT is supporting more bike innovation in all its projects.
Hickenlooper says the four-year initiative, dubbed the Colorado Pedals Project, will fuel the state’s economic growth and tourism, benefit the environment and help cement Colorado’s status as one of the healthiest states in America.
The plan calls for $60 million to develop bike and pedestrian infrastructure, using CDOT and federal Transportation Alternatives Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds. An additional $30 million will come from Great Outdoors Colorado’s new push for trail connectivity with grants that develop bike and pedestrian infrastructure. About $10 million will go toward sustaining and growing the state’s Safe Routes to School program.
Warm Regards,
Audrey DeBarros
