Transportation Funding Showdown Continues Between Lawmakers And Initiative Backers

By: Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics

The standoff over Colorado’s road‑funding initiative will continue after supporters declined state lawmakers’ request to withdraw the measure, while both sides signaled they are still willing to pursue a broader agreement ahead of the fall deadline.

Initiative No. 175, backed by the coalition Restore Our Roads, would require that all transportation-related revenue be used exclusively for building and repairing roads and bridges, improving safety, conducting transportation planning and engineering, and supporting Colorado State Patrol operations.

A petition for the measure received over 180,000 signatures and is currently being reviewed by the Secretary of State’s Office. To qualify for the November ballot, just over 124,000 of those signatures must be valid.

Some Democratic lawmakers, claiming that approving the measure could divert money from services such as health care and education, introduced House Bill 1430 in the 2026 session. The bill lowers excise taxes on fuel, certain registration fees, and road‑use fees from 2027 through 2030, effectively canceling out the initiative. It passed and was signed into law, but it will take effect only if Initiative 175 is approved by voters.

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