What’s next for transportation funding in Colorado?

State and local leaders are back to square one in their efforts to find a source of funding for much-needed transportation projects.

Two potential sources of funding disappeared on Election Day when voters rejected propositions 109 and 110, which would have generated several billion dollars for transportation needs.

Michelle Puelen, communications manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said the state has identified $7 billion in transportation projects.

“Until a funding source is identified, we’ll have to make some tough decisions about which projects to pursue and which to hold off on,” she said.

Puelen said she doesn’t consider the defeat of the two propositions a failure.

“Both of them got 40 percent of the vote,” she said. “It shows that people are making transportation a priority.”

El Paso County Commissioner Mark Waller said it’s now the responsibility of state lawmakers to determine how to fund transportation.

“I’m not confident the Democratic-controlled Legislature will come up with anything,” he said. “They need to and they should, but I doubt they will.”

Some citizens offered their opinions on how to pay for transportation.

“Have a fundraiser,” said Jeremiah Bost. “It wouldn’t raise millions of dollars, but it would be a start. Small things that add up to a bigger picture.”

“I think we need to invest more in mass transit and find a way to make it happen,” said Meg Kendall.

“I don’t think it’s the Legislature’s job to find funding,” said Vicky Kipp. “I think it’s our job as citizens to decide what we need and find a way to pay for it.”

“We needed more education about those propositions,” said Ann Young. “They didn’t get the publicity they should have. One of them wouldn’t have cost us anything. That’s the kind of solution we need.”