Hickenlooper Welcomes an Additional $23 Million in Funding to Connect Downtown Denver and Aurora

In total, Colfax RTD Project will receive $150 million from the Federal Transit Administration

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments are helping Colorado expand high-capacity public transportation

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper celebrated $23 million in additional funding from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program to connect downtown Denver and Aurora through a rapid transit RTD route along Colfax. The CIG program receives funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Hickenlooper helped negotiate.

With the $23 million increase, the Colfax RTD project will receive a total $149.99 million in federal funding.

"Public transit is so important for cleaning up our environment, reducing congestion, and making our cities accessible," said Hickenlooper. "Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making sure everyDenver resident has easy access to everything from theaters and offices downtown to critical hospitals in Aurora."

"I, along with my RTD team members, are grateful to Senator Hickenlooper for continuing to advocate for the $23 million to push this project across the finish line," said Debra Johnson, General Manager and CEO of Denver RTD.

The East Colfax Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project will establish a new service on East Colfax Avenue running from Denver's Union Station to the light rail station at Interstate 225 in Aurora. The project will connect downtown Denver and 14 residential neighborhoods to health care centers like the Anschutz Medical Campus, the VA Hospital, and National Jewish Health Center.

The Colfax RTD Project is one of three Colorado projects receiving CIG funding.

Click HERE for more information about the CIG program, and HERE for more information on the Colfax RTD project.

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