S_TRA_2016A 02/18/2016 11:26:23 AM Committee Summary

11:26 AM -- Confirmation of Transportation Commission



Kathryn Hall of Grand Junction explained why she is interested in being appointed to the Transportation Commission. She responded to questions from the committee. Information about Ms. Hall was distributed to the committee (Attachment A).



Attachment A can be viewed at Legislative Council.

11:33 AM -- SB16-123



Senator Lundberg, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-123. The bill prohibits the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) from requiring a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) to use a switchable transponder or other device in order to drive on a HOV lane or a high occupancy toll (HOT) lane on a state highway on a toll-free basis. Senator Lundberg distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment B).



16SenateTran0218AttachB.pdf



11:39 AM -- Herb Atchison, representing the Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in opposition to the bill.



11:42 AM -- David Spector, representing the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE), testified in opposition to the bill.



11:52 AM -- Matthew Appelbaum, representing the City of Boulder, Boulder County, and the Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill.



12:00 PM -- Becky Long, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



12:04 PM -- Tim Stewart, representing the E-470 Public Highway Authority, testified about the bill.



12:11 PM -- Bruce Downs, representing ABATE of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Downs distributed information to the committee (Attachments C and D).



16SenateTran0218AttachC.pdf 16SenateTran0218AttachD.pdf



12:19 PM -- Dennis Haberstumpf, representing ABATE of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Haberstumpf provided a letter he received from the HPTE (Attachment E).



16SenateTran0218AttachE.pdf



12:22 PM -- Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



12:29 PM -- Tiger Chandler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.





























12:32 PM



Senator Lundberg wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.

12:42 PM -- HB16-1008



The committee took a brief recess.





















12:44 PM



The committee returned to order. Senators Cooke and Heath, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1008. Under the reengrossed bill, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) may open up an area of a roadway that is not a traffic lane (i.e. the shoulder) for use by certain commercial vehicles (i.e. public buses).



To permit the use of a designated area, CDOT must:

• consult with the Colorado State Patrol in the Department of Public Safety (DPS);

• establish conditions of use for the area; and

• enter into a written agreement with authorized users.

Subject to the conditions of use, the bus driver has sole discretion in determining whether or not to drive on a shoulder based on his or her safety assessment. CDOT must also work with local government agencies when implementing the use of a shoulder.



12:49 PM -- Tom Tobiassen, representing the Regional Transportation District (RTD) board of directors, testified in support of the bill.



12:50 PM -- Dave Genova, representing RTD, testified in support of the bill.



12:55 PM -- Herb Atchison, representing the Denver Regional Council of Governments, the US 36 Mayors and Commissioners Coalition, and the City of Westminster, testified in support of the bill.



12:58 PM -- Andy Karsian, representing CDOT, testified in support of the bill.



01:00 PM -- Jennifer Jones, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.



01:02 PM -- Elena Wilken, representing the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, testified in support of the bill.

















































01:04 PM



Senators Cooke and Heath wrapped up their presentation and asked for a favorable recommendation.

01:05 PM



The committee adjourned.