2018 Colorado legislative preview: Roads top of mind for Greeley, Weld County lawmakers

Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley. Photo Credit: Greeley Tribune

During a recent economic and revenue forecast, Colorado Legislative Council staff explained the $1 billion of extra spending that may become available to state legislators in 2018. Many local representatives, including Rep Lori Saine, R-Firestone and Sen. John Cooke, R-Greeley, hope that the extra funding will go toward Colorado’s identified $9 billion road construction need. I-25 and US85 emerged as priorities, with representatives noting that delays cost the state both time and money.

Senator Cooke is also working on a bill that could raise $3.5 to 4 billion through bonding. According to his plan, the debt would be prioritized in the general budget as a $300 million annual item. This plan was proposed as an alternative to meeting infrastructure funding needs with tax increases. 

For more information, check our Tyler Silvy’s article in The Greeley Tribune.