In Colorado, signatures were submitted to the secretary of state on May 26, 2026, for a ballot initiative related to funding road transportation expenses.
More specifically, the measure — referred to as Initiative 175 — would add a new section to Article X of the Colorado Constitution to require both the state and local governments to spend any state revenue collected to support road transportation on costs related to:
- the construction, maintenance, and operation of public streets, roads, highways, or bridges;
- the development and improvement of safety measures for motor vehicles traveling on public streets, roads, highways, or bridges;
- the design, engineering, and management required for road transportation; and
- the Colorado state patrol.
The revenue would be collected from sales and excise taxes on motor vehicles and fuel, as well as two-thirds of the sales and use taxes on motor vehicle parts, equipment, and accessories. The state would then allocate the collected revenue among local governments and the state highway fund.
The Colorado secretary of state's office has until June 25 to review the signatures to determine if the petition has gathered at least 124,238 valid signatures, thereby meeting the minimum requirement to be placed on the ballot for Nov. 3, 2026.
However, the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 26-1430 (HB 1430) on May 13, 2026, which would lower the excise tax on fuel, vehicle registration fees, and road usage fees if Initiative 175 is approved by voters — thereby neutralizing the changes that the initiative would make by effectively maintaining the same levels of funding dedicated to road transportation.
State Sen. William Lindstedt (D-25), a sponsor of HB 1430, said, "Initiative 175 is a special interest group's irresponsible solution to a legitimate problem. We remain committed to doing more to fix our roads and secure sustainable transportation funding, but not at the expense of hospitals and schools. It's time for the proponents of Initiative 175 to come to the table and work with us to chart a responsible path forward."
Governor Jared Polis (D) expressed his support for HB 1430, with spokesperson Eric Maruyama stating, "Of course the governor would support a bill to cut taxes and save Coloradans money, and that includes cutting the gas tax while protecting the state budget." HB 1430 was sent to the governor's office for final approval on May 26, 2026.
The organization leading the campaign in support of the initiative, Restore Our Roads, announced that they had submitted more than 188,000 signatures for review, and has until June 15 to withdraw the measure. In the same announcement, they responded to the state legislature's passage of HB 1430, stating, "If, in the end, the legislature truly chooses to override the will of the voters, then that will be their decision to explain to the people of Colorado. Our job is to make sure Colordans have a clear choice and a real opportunity to be heard."
Speaking in support of the initiative, Restore Our Roads stated, "Initiative 175 would constitutionally require a shift of transportation taxes Coloradans already pay on cars, tires, and gas to fund roads and bridges. Instead of this money disappearing into the general fund to pay for whatever shortfall the state faces each budget year, the money generated from motor vehicles would go to roads."
Speaking in opposition to Initiative 175, the nonprofit Bicycle Colorado said, "[T]he measure would defund exactly the types of transportation infrastructure and services that everyday people rely on, while doubling down on financially and environmentally unsustainable car dependency."
Colorado last voted on a ballot measure related to funding roads, highways, and bridges in 2018. On Nov. 6, 2018, voters in the state decided on Proposition 110, which would have authorized $6 billion in bonds to fund transportation projects, to be repaid through sales taxes, and would have increased the state sales and use tax rate. Proposition 110 was defeated by voters, with 59.39% of the vote against it.
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