Colorado lawmakers tackling transportation, harassment in 2018 session
The Colorado General Assembly is back to work with an extensive to-do list ahead of the 2018 legislative session.
The agenda for the 120-day session is packed with policy changes ranging from sexual harassment complaints to major state funding concerns.
One of the issues topping the list is the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policy. In recent months, four Colorado lawmakers have faced sexual harassment allegations.
Last month, lawmakers voted to hire an outside consultant to conduct a review of current harassment policies.
“People will be held accountable,” said El Paso County Republican Rep. Lois Landgraf.
Landgraf said the movement will be a game changer this year.
“The policies need to be explained,” Landgraf said. “I do think the policy, as far as filing a complaint, needs to be made clear.”
Another hot topic this year is transportation funding. State officials report we need $9 billion to assist with road and infrastructure projects.
“We are underfunding our transportation infrastructure and have been for years,” said Democratic Rep. Pete Lee of Colorado Springs.
Lee said all options are on the table when it comes to finding the money. This could mean taxes, tolls, or some other funding source.
“We’re trying to fund a 21st Century transportation system on a 1990 tax structure, and it just isn’t going to work,” Lee said.
But his colleagues on the other side of the aisle disagree.
“I would argue that if we laser in on our policy prescriptions on roads and bridges we could find the money inside the state budget,” said Republican Rep. Paul Lundeen of El Paso County.
The good news for us in El Paso County is the Interstate 25 gap will be a priority.
“The I-25 gap between Monument and Castle Rock…we’re going to get a resolution on that,” Lundeen said.
Renovations are projected to start next November.
Research analysts said it’s likely multiple ballot measures will be brought to the table to further the debate on funding the state transportation budget.
