As Colorado’s 2022 Legislative Session wrapped earlier this month, the Colorado General Assembly voted to pass two important bills aimed at moving the needle on traffic congestion and air quality by improving access for Coloradans to alternative transportation options.
The Alternative Transportation Options Tax Credit bill, HB 22-1026, replaces an existing income tax deduction for expenses incurred by employers when providing alternative transportation options to employees with a refundable income tax credit of 50% of such expenses for such employers. The credit is allowed for income tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, but before January 1, 2025.
The Colorado Assembly also considered and passed the SB22-180. The bill establishes a grant program in the Colorado Energy Office for RTD and other state transit associations to make available free train and bus fares for at least 30 days during ozone season, which can reduce exposure to air pollutants and improve the well-being of all Coloradans. This bill sets RTD on track to launch its first zero-fare transit pilot this summer when Colorado’s smog is at an all-time high.
The Commuting Solutions board of directors took positions of support for both bills.
Get a Full Legislative Update at the June 2022 Membership Meeting
The 2022 Legislative Session moved the needle on transportation issues for people across the state. Colorado State Senator Faith Winter will give a debrief on the Colorado General Assembly’s 2022 Legislative Session. Join us on June 1 for an in-depth update on what issues legislators tackled – register here.
