What isn't known is who will pay for the desperately needed fixes. The hunt for money, at the federal level, the state level and even in voters' pocketbooks, will dominate transportation discussions in 2001. With our huge growth in Colorado, transportation affects our quality of life and the economy.
Education is a huge issue, but transit affects everyone.
Madden, a Democrat, said she plans to submit a referendum proposal to the Legislature that could be on the ballot next November. Her plan calls for using a set amount of state surplus money, when a surplus is available, over the next 20 years. The money would be dedicated to railways, bus lines, bicycle lane improvements and some road improvements. State money would require a 50 percent match for specific projects in local, agency or federal dollars. After years of planning, the Southeast Corridor project appeared ready to get off the ground in 2001.