h_tra_2016a_2016-01-27t13:33:10z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/27/2016

02:22 PM -- HB 16-1008



Representatives Winter and Becker, co-prime sponsors, came to the table to present House Bill 16-1008 to the committee. Under the 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.



02:26 PM



The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.



02:39 PM -- Dave Genova and Tom Tobiassen, representing the Regional Transportation District (RTD), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Genova responded to questions from the committee.

02:47 PM -- Andy Karsian, representing CDOT, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee, and committee discussion ensued.

03:07 PM -- Herb Atchison, representing the City of Westminster, US 36 Mayors and Counties Coalition, and the Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill. A copy of the official City of Westminster position on the bill was distributed to the committee (Attachment E).



160127 AttachE.pdf



03:12 PM -- Jennifer Jones, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

03:14 PM -- Anne Rajewski, representing the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, testified in support of the bill.



03:16 PM



Amendment L.001 (Attachment F) was distributed to the committee. Representative Winter explained that it gives sole discretion on whether or not to drive in a designated area based on the driver's assessment of the safety of doing so.



160127 AttachF.pdf

03:18 PM



The bill sponsors made their final comments and committee discussion ensued.