Multimodal Stories in Colorado

Transit, walking, rolling and biking are critical investments for any transportation funding bill

CoPIRG

As the legislature works on a transportation funding bill, nine Coloradans from across the state shared their personal multimodal stories and called for a significant investment in transit, walking, rolling and biking. In addition, over 60 online personal stories were unveiled highlighting the importance and the benefits of going big on multimodal.

The stories were gathered over the last two weeks by a coalition of organizations including CoPIRG, Colorado Sierra Club, Bicycle Colorado, the Denver Streets Partnership, the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), Conservation Colorado, E2 | Environmental Entrepreneurs, and NRDC.

At the event, the coalition also released a slide deck that highlighted the  lack of investment Colorado makes in transit as a state. According to an analysis by SWEEP, the state covers 2.6% of the transit capital costs and 0.3% of the transit operating costs in Colorado. That compares to a national average of states funding 22.8% of state transit capital costs and 23% of state transit operating costs. 

“More people riding transit, walking, biking and rolling will play a critical role in tackling climate change, reducing pollution, making our streets safer, and increasing the overall accessibility of our transportation system,” said Danny Katz, executive director of CoPIRG. “The stories we unveiled today are just the tip of the iceberg and they show people want to use their bikes and ride transit and walk around their communities but a lack of service and safe infrastructure is standing in their way. New funding could make a big difference to ensure everyone has the options they need and want to tarvel around their community and they state.”

 The coalition is continuing to gather stories. Submissions can be made here.