Senate Resolution 26-001 concerns road conditions and transportation funding in Morgan County. The resolution states that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is responsible for maintaining the state transportation system, but that state highways in Morgan County have been neglected for years and are in poor condition. It cites a 2023 CDOT assessment finding that about 70% of the roughly 145 miles of state highway in the county, excluding I-76, have low drivability life, meaning many segments may have only a few years of usable life remaining.
The resolution does not change statutory law or create a new program. Instead, it expresses the Senate’s support for the Morgan County Board of County Commissioners in urging CDOT to reevaluate its priorities, provide funding, and implement road improvement projects in the county. It also directs that copies of the resolution be sent to the executive director of CDOT, making it a formal legislative statement of concern and pressure on the agency.
Impact
Because this is a Senate resolution rather than a bill, it has no direct legal effect on Colorado Revised Statutes or on CDOT’s formal duties. Its practical impact is political and administrative: it places legislative pressure on CDOT to prioritize Morgan County road maintenance and capital improvements, and it publicly aligns the Senate with local officials seeking state investment in county highways. The resolution may influence future transportation planning, funding decisions, or project scheduling, but it does not itself appropriate money or mandate construction.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution and its vote history is supportive of Morgan County’s request for action and critical of CDOT’s past performance in the county. The measure advanced out of the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee on a 6-3 vote and later received a 18-11 vote in the Senate, suggesting meaningful but not unanimous support. The language of the resolution is strongly favorable toward Morgan County and frames the issue as a long-standing failure by CDOT to adequately maintain local state highways.
Contention
The main point of contention is whether CDOT has neglected Morgan County relative to other parts of the state and whether the Senate should formally pressure the department to change its priorities. Supporters argue that the county’s highways are in poor condition and that the 2023 assessment shows an urgent need for investment. Opponents likely objected to the resolution’s criticism of CDOT, the implied prioritization of one county over others, or the use of a legislative resolution to direct agency attention without a funding mechanism. The committee and floor vote margins indicate the issue was contested but not highly divisive.