S_TRA_2021A 01/27/2021 02:09:45 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY AND HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Date

01/27/2021

Attendance
Arndt	*
Catlin	*
Coram	X
Donovan	*
Froelich	X
Gray	X
Hisey	X
Hooton	*
Pettersen	X
Pico	X
Rich	X
Scott	X
Sullivan	X
Valdez D.	*
Van Winkle	*
Zenzinger	X
Exum	X
Winter	X

Time

02:09:45 PM to 05:31:24 PM

Place

Old State Library

This Meeting was called to order by

Winter

This Report was prepared by

Annie Kitch

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hCall to Order and Introductions	Committee Discussion Only
hPresentation from the Colorado Department of Transportation Pursuant to the SMART Act	Committee Discussion Only
hPresentation from the Front Range Passenger Rail Commission and Colorado Association of Transit Agencies	Committee Discussion Only
hPresentation from the Regional Transportation District	Committee Discussion Only
hPresentation from the Colorado Energy Office on Transportation Emission Reduction Goals	Committee Discussion Only
hPresentation from E-470	Committee Discussion Only
hPresentation from the Accountability Committee, Regional Transportation District	Committee Discussion Only

Call to Order and Introductions - Committee Discussion Only


	02:09:59 PM	Senator Winter called the meeting to order and reviewed the meeting agenda. All materials for this meeting can be found here: https://leg.colorado.gov/content/stra2021asmartact

Presentation from the Colorado Department of Transportation Pursuant to the SMART Act - Committee Discussion Only


	02:12:41 PM	Senator Winter introduced Director Shoshana Lew from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Director Lew introduced Karen Stuart, Chair of the Transportation Commission, who reviewed CDOT and the Commission's organizational structure. Director Lew presented the department's 2021 performance plan which includes the department's wildly important goals (WIGs).
	02:47:45 PM	Stephen Harrelson, Chief Engineer, continued the presentation with an overview of the department's plan to provide more transparency and accountability with projects and recent project cost savings. Director Lew provided an overview of the department's budgetary agenda. The presenters responded to questions from the committee.

Presentation from the Front Range Passenger Rail Commission and Colorado Association of Transit Agencies - Committee Discussion Only


	03:34:03 PM	Jill Gaebler with the Front Range Passenger Rail Commission (FRPR), presented the commission's 2021 plan and long range vision. James Souby continued the presentation and provided an overview of the commission's current and upcoming efforts. Ms. Gaebler and Mr. Souby responded to questions from the Committee.
	03:55:09 PM	Ann Rajewski, Director of the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA), presented on CASTA's efforts to improve transit across the state. Director Rajewski also mentioned that enhancing rural transit is a high priority in Colorado and that CASTA is continuing it's efforts to expand transit in rural communities. She responded to questions from the committee.

Presentation from the Regional Transportation District - Committee Discussion Only


	04:03:50 PM	Angie Rivera Malpiede, Board Chair for the Regional Transportation District (RTD), provided an overview of RTD's organizational structure and efforts to enhance transit across the Denver Metro Area during 2020. Debra Johnson, General Manager of RTD, discussed the agency's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial implications of the pandemic, and the agency's customer-focused efforts. Ms. Johnson also discussed the adopted fiscal policy plan for a balanced budget, including renegotiating purchase contracts and furlough days.
	04:16:32 PM	Ms. Johnson shared that COVID relief funding provided personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, and salaries. An additional $203 million was received from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act for transit operations, recalling laid off employees and rescinding furloughs, and providing supplemental service on busier routes. Ms. Johnson highlighted that RTD is implementing an Access-a-Ride portal. In addition, ride hailing for FlexRide will be coming in February. This service provides first and last mile ride services. Ms. Johnson also talked about the Auraria College Eco Pilot Program which provides fare discounts to students during the 2021 spring semester.
	04:25:11 PM	Ms. Johnson also talked about the Northwest Rail Line. RTD will be collaborating with Front Range Passenger Rail and is open to discussing the line with stakeholders. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Rivera-Malpiede responded to a questions.

Presentation from the Colorado Energy Office on Transportation Emission Reduction Goals - Committee Discussion Only


	04:31:27 PM	Will Toor, representing the Colorado Energy Office, discussed transportation emission reduction goals. Mr. Toor provided a roadmap of transportation emissions. Transportation is now the largest source of emissions, overtaking electric power generation. In addition, air quality standards are at risk. Director Toor covered Colorado based Greenhouse Gas targets and near term actions to reduce transportation pollution.

Presentation from E-470 - Committee Discussion Only


	04:44:45 PM	Tim Stewart, Director of the E-470 Highway Authority, presented on E-470's work plan, traffic trends over the last eight years, the authority's debt, and 2040 traffic projections. Director Stewart also discussed the Authority's current projects and the economic impact of E-470 in the Denver region. Chaz Tedesco, Board Chair of the authority, discussed efforts to ensure that new routes are equitable and serve drivers transporting or delivering goods. Director Stewart and Commissioner Tedesco responded to questions from the committee.

Presentation from the Accountability Committee, Regional Transportation District - Committee Discussion Only


	05:10:59 PM	Crystal Murillo and Elise Jones, Co-Chairs of the Regional Transportation Accountability Committee, introduced themselves. Ms. Murillo provided an overview of committee members, the committee mission, and committee's strategic goals. Ms. Jones discussed the timeline for compiling recommendations. Ms. Murillo provided an overview of the Finance, Governance, and Operations subcommittees that make up the Accountability Committee. Ms. Jones closed by discussing the committee's preliminary equity report and legislative recommendations for improvement. Ms. Murillo and Ms. Jones responded to questions from the committee.

05:31:24 PM

The committee adjourned.