S_TRA_2020A 01/08/2020 02:06:09 PM Committee Summary

Katie Reudebusch, Legislative Council Staff, Steve Allen, Joint Budget Committee Staff, and Jason Gelender, Office of Legislative Legal Services, introduced themselves to the committee.

Monica Bowers and Trey Standley, both representing the Office of the State Auditor, presented a summary of a recent performance audit for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (Attachment A).  The findings of the audit included issues with the completeness and transparency of the department budget plan; the closing of construction projects and release of funding within required timeframes; lack of internal fraud identification and control measures; and contracts.  The audit recommended including necessary information in the department budget,such as planned spending and revenue, and regular analysis of budget to actual figures based on budget categories; implementing policies and processes to regularly analyze vendor and payment data for potential fraud; developing reports and implementing policies and processes to evaluate timeliness of construction project closure and release of unused funds; and implementing controls over cost, duration, and scope of work in master task order contracts.  The department has implemented recommendations.

 

Attachment A

 

 

Mr. Standley responded to committee questions.

Shoshana Lew, Executive Director, and Jeff Sudmeier, Chief Financial Officer, both representing CDOT, gave a presentation to the committee pursuant to the SMART Government Act (Attachment B) and discussed the recent performance audit. Ms. Lew and Mr. Sudmeir responded to committee questions.

 

The department's performance plan includes goals related to safety, expanding modal options, and developing a pipeline of projects.  The department plans to reduce the vehicle crash rate by two percent for 100 million vehicle miles traveled, using several public information campaigns related to seat belts, drunk driving, and motorycles.  To reduce congestion and air pollution the department is expanding modal options, including Bustang.  Based on comments from citizens throughout the state, the department has identified a list of projects over the next 10 years.

 

Budget information was discussed, including funding sources and uses, and a focus on surface treatment and bridges.  Projects will include improvements to rural roads and major state arteries, such as I-25 and freight corridors. 

 

The department provided an update on the stakeholder group convened to study the impacts of technology and business changes on motor vehicles used for commercial purposes per Senate Bill 19-239.  The committee found that by 2030 emerging mobility providers will account for seven percent of the state's total vehicle miles traveled.  The group is dicussing possible fees for providers to pay for transportation infrastructure.  The group needs to collect additional data on number of trips.  The goal is to be flexible for evolving technology while still collecting data.  Recent technology and business activities have the potential to impact social equity, the economy, the availability of transportation options, and transportation infrastructure. 

 

The State Highway Utility Accomodation Code will be reviewed and updated this year, as well as policies and rules pertaining to outdoor advertising, fees for emerging mobility if any are recommended, and traction law.  During the legislative session, CDOT intends to focus on protecting funding for statewide DUI and DWAI enforcement, Senate Bill 17-267 funding, and transportation fees. 

 

Representatives Hansen, Ransom, and Esgar and Senators Moreno, Rankin, and Zenzinger presented CDOT's budget to the committee, pursuant to Joint Rule 25 (d) and responded to committee questions.

Tom Peterson, representing the Colorado Asphalt and Pavement Association, provided testimony about today's presentations.