As the 2026 regular legislative session speeds to its adjournment Wednesday, members of the Colorado General Assembly are grappling with a controversial late bill that would reduce transportation funding by about $700 million to offset a proposed ballot measure that would raise road funds that much. And both a sponsor of that bill, House Bill 1430, and the leader of the coalition supporting the ballot measure, Initiative 175, join me this week on “Colorado Chamber Office Hours.”
Colorado Contractors Association CEO Tony explains how Initiative 175 would require that two-thirds of all state sales tax on vehicle and auto-parts sales goes to roads and why he believes a decade of stagnation in road funding merits such a plan. He then discusses why he believe HB 1430, which would cut highway funding in the budget if Initiative 175 passes, is an example of the Legislature acting preemptively to undercut the will of voters — and why roads could still benefit even if the bill becomes law.
Rep. Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, talks about why he and most legislative Democrats believe the bill is necessary to avoid significant cuts to health care and education, which would take the biggest hits if Initiative 175 redirects to roads the sales-tax revenue that is going to those and other programs. And he discusses why he fears that Initiative 175 sends a signal to various groups that they can move to boost funding for their areas of interest at the ballot rather than allowing legislators to holistically debate and determine priorities for the state.
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