Governor Polis Announces Vision to Reduce GHG Emissions From the Transportation Sector by 2035, Expanding Transportation Options to Save Coloradans Time and Money

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis announced Colorado Transportation Vision: 2035, which includes new goals and strategies to reduce transportation-related air pollution and GHG emissions by increasing transportation options, expanding transit services, and building more housing near train and bus stops. This vision outlines strategies to ensure Coloradans have safe and reliable transportation choices, including taking a bus or train, biking, or walking, reducing traffic for all drivers, and saving Coloradans time and money while improving air quality.

"Today we embark on a new vision to reduce Colorado's emissions from transportation with more convenient, affordable, and safe transportation options that get Coloradans where we need to go while protecting our clean air and reducing traffic pollution. This bold and comprehensive vision outlines goals and proven strategies to increase affordable transportation options, expand transit services, reduce pollution, and save Coloradans time and money, helping us make progress toward our climate goals. I look forward to achieving this vision through working with our local, state, federal, and private sector partners," said Governor Polis.

"By building infrastructure that gives people more high-quality options, we can make it easier for Coloradans to get where they're going safely, our air cleaner, and our communities more vibrant. When we have taken steps over the past several years to do so, we see incredible demand for options like Bustang, where a comfortable trip with wifi and phone charging can be a compelling choice. We're excited to focus on steps CDOT can take to help achieve a vision with benefits for all Colorado travelers," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew.

"Emissions from cars are among the top contributors of greenhouse gases and other harmful air pollution in Colorado," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor. "In addition to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, access to robust multimodal transportation options, such as buses, trains, and adequate biking and walking infrastructure, and to more housing in transit-oriented communities, will help us meet our climate goals while making it safer and easier for Coloradans to get around," said Colorado Energy Office Executive Director Will Toor.

"From the High Country to the Front Range, Coloradans are looking for affordable transit options that save them time and money getting where they want to go, and we are delivering," said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. "Northwest Mountain Rail and more frequent ski-train service will reduce congestion and help connect more people to housing and employment opportunities in rural resort communities. This roadmap will help make traveling in rural Colorado safer, move us closer to meeting our climate goals, and increase transit services."

"Whether commuting in the Denver metro area, heading up to the mountains, or traveling along the Front Range, Coloradans deserve transportation options that allow them to move through our state with efficiency, reliability, and flexibility," said Senator Faith Winter, D-Broomfield. "Currently, transportation is the number one source of Colorado's greenhouse gas emissions. We know that climate change will continue to have far-reaching impacts on Colorado and we must be nimble in our efforts to meet our climate goals. By improving and expanding public transit and ridership options, Coloradans will be able to move around our state with greater ease while decreasing the reliance on cars and helping to reduce emissions and meet our goals."

"As our state experiences more extreme, and frankly, devastating weather events sparked by climate change, we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions; and one of the ways we can do that is through better public transportation. Affordable, reliable public transportation will help reduce car trips while bringing our state closer to reaching its climate goals. As a state, it's important we take the steps now to reduce the harmful effects of climate change and this new transportation plan will reduce costs for families, increase transit options and help us build a more climate-friendly future for Colorado." said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood.

"A well-planned transit system can be the key to providing affordable transportation options to Coloradans, improving our air quality, and reducing traffic congestion. Governor Polis' new transportation plan will help guide us as we continue our work to increase affordable transportation in our state. The legislature has been hard at work to bring a variety of transit options to our communities, including exciting new projects like Front Range Passenger Rail. I am excited that this new transportation plan will not only help us strategically expand transit services, but also help us create new housing near transit, increase road safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and save Coloradans money on transportation." said Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins.

"Nearly 7 in 10 Coloradans support building more housing near bus stops, train stations, and thriving business districts-Governor Polis' Transportation Vision 2035 lays out bold strategies to provide the transit options needed to ensure we have greener and more affordable neighborhoods people want," said Conservation Colorado CEO Kelly Nordini.

"Over the past century, our transportation and land use planning decisions have led to car dependence, locking in the most polluting, expensive, inefficient, and dangerous form of transportation. Coloradans want more transportation choices, and Governor Polis' new Transportation Vision sets the course for more transit-friendly, walkable, and accessible communities," said Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) Transportation and Land Use Policy Manager Matt Frommer.

The Colorado Transportation Vision 2035 outlines greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction, infrastructure, walkability, and transit-oriented development goals. These include:

• Reducing non-auto transportation GHG emissions by an additional 1.2 Million Metric Tons in 2035.
• Doubling Colorado's non-auto transportation trips from 9.6% to 19.2%.
• Increasing transit service miles from the current 79 million to 145 million miles, an 83% increase.
• Building 3,540 miles of new bicycle lanes, an 81% increase.
• Creating 1,345 new miles of sidewalk, a 3.4% increase.
• Ensuring 52% of new housing is built in transit-oriented areas.

This comprehensive vision builds upon the transformational work of the Polis administration to fund new transportation projects, enhance transit opportunities, limit emissions to protect our clean air, and build a world-class intercity passenger rail line. This vision bolsters the State's previous work to create new intercity long-distance bus services, Bustang and Snowstang, and nearly $200 million of annual investments in transit and rail services.

Governor Polis also announced an update to Executive Order B 2021-001. The amended Executive Order requires state agencies to submit annual reports on Colorado's statewide strategies to achieve the ambitious climate goals outlined in SB23-016, now including this Transit Vision and the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0. Earlier this year, Governor Polis announced 'Roadmap 2.0', which updated Colorado's emissions forecast and lays out a new set of bold actions to save Coloradans money and continue making progress toward a clean energy future.

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