I-70 toll proposal passes, HOV measure rejected

DENVER - A plan to set up a $5 toll along Interstate 70, between Floyd Hill and the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, was passed Thursday by the Senate Transportation Committee.

The proposal, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany (R-Colorado Springs) passed on a 5-2 vote.

McElhany says the goal was to raise money for a solution to the I-70 congestion, not to designate what that solution would be. He said any solution would cost money and it is estimated that a $5 toll, with the help of bonding, would generate $900 million-$1.2 billion toward any I-70 fix.

"This bill would designate a portion of I-70 from Floyd Hill to the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel as a toll road," testified McElhany before the committee. "All solutions that have been proposed are still on the table. This bill is not a bill to determine the best solution for I-70. It simply puts in place a funding mechanism."

Critics, including dozens from the mountain communities who rallied at the Capitol before the hearing and against any toll, attacked the plan as being ignorant to their concerns. They argued if congestion along I-70 is a statewide problem then any proposed solution should address all of Colorado, not just those who drive the road.

"I may be from the mountains, but I do get out a bit," said Flo Raitano, executive director of the I-70 Coalition and a 26-year resident of Summit County. "I've been on the Chicago expressway during rush hour and I've seen what tolls do to contribute to congestion, not solve congestion."

"Those of us who live there already pay the price for living in paradise. You don't want to pay the price for coming to play in paradise," she said.

State legislators representing Summit County organized the rally denouncing the tolling measures.

"We're in this issue together. We have to work together to find a solution," said Rep. Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County). "It cannot be inflicted on our community."

McElhany was accused of not conferring with any residents of the mountain communities. His measure does exempt those whose vehicles are registered in Summit, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties, which some said would violate federal interstate commerce laws.

A federal waiver would need to be granted to allow the tolls to be collected. Current Colorado law specifies that any toll raised in a specific corridor cannot be spent outside of that corridor and it also allows for that money to be spent on things like more lanes, mass transit and bus service. McElhany says the time to act is now and that Colorado transportation projects have long been paralyzed due to parochial interests.

"The impacted community (by I-70 congestion) is all of Colorado," he said. "This bill will work for anyone who wants to do something. This bill will not work for people who want to do nothing."

He was backed up by Joe Blake, who runs the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Blake complimented lawmakers for taking up the vital issue and for moving the tolling measure forward.

"This is a first step and a much needed one," Blake testified. "The funding stream is dedicated. It is substantial. The tollpayers will see that their money is going to the corridor in which they are traveling."

The measure now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee where its future remains in jeopardy. Of the five votes in favor of the bill on the Transportation Committee, three said they still had concerns. They wanted to see the conversation continue, but withheld their unconditional support as the measure moves forward.

Click here to read more about Senate Bill 213.

Another proposal to toll I-70 and set up an HOV lane during peak travel times was rejected by the Senate Transportation Committee. That measure, authored by Sen. Chris Romer (D-Denver), was defeated on a 5-2 vote.