Concerning the elimination of the annual transfer from the general fund to the multimodal transportation and mitigation options fund, and, in connection therewith, reducing an appropriation.
Summary
House Bill 26-1399 changes Colorado’s statutory funding schedule for the Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund. Under current law, the state treasurer must transfer $10.5 million from the general fund to that fund each July 1 from 2024 through 2031. This bill eliminates the remaining future annual transfers after the July 1, 2025 transfer, effectively ending the scheduled general fund support earlier than originally planned.
The bill also makes a corresponding budget adjustment for the Department of Transportation. It reduces the cash funds appropriation from the multimodal fund for multimodal transportation projects by $10.5 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year, but only if the annual appropriations act for that year includes such an appropriation. If the appropriation is smaller than the reduction amount, or if no such appropriation is made, the reduction does not apply. The bill takes effect upon passage, with the appropriation adjustment contingent on the 2026-27 long bill becoming law.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-75-219 to remove the statutory requirement for future $10.5 million general fund transfers to the Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund after July 1, 2025. It also directs a one-time reduction in the Department of Transportation’s 2026-27 cash funds appropriation from that fund by $10.5 million, subject to conditions tied to the annual budget bill. The practical effect is to reduce state support for multimodal transportation projects and lower the amount available in the fund for future allocations.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill moved as a budget and appropriations measure rather than a highly debated policy proposal. It was assigned to the Appropriations committees in both chambers and ultimately was signed by the governor, indicating it had sufficient support to pass through the budget process. No committee transcript or recorded vote details are provided, so there is no evidence in the record supplied here of organized opposition or extensive floor debate.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely fiscal: whether the state should continue making annual general fund transfers to support multimodal transportation and mitigation projects, or instead retain those dollars in the general fund and reduce the related transportation appropriation. Supporters would view the bill as a budget savings or reallocation measure, while opponents would likely argue it weakens funding for transit, biking, pedestrian, and other multimodal infrastructure. Because no transcripts or vote breakdowns are included, the specific positions of individual legislators or stakeholder groups are not documented in the provided materials.