Colorado Quarterly Magazine
"Rewriting the Myths, Redefining the Realities"
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Colorado Mobility Coalition Candidate Surveys
The Colorado Mobility Coalition surveyed federal, state, and local
candidates. Responses to the survey follow. Five candidates wrote
letters and/or sent literature instead of completing the survey. Due
to space, time and fairness issues, those letters are not published.
CMC Federal Candidate Survey
1. Public transportation is an essential part of a balanced
transportation program for Colorado.
A. Strongly Agree B. Agree
C. Somewhat Agree D. Do not Agree
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
A |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
A |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
A |
2. The reauthorization of the Transportation Efficiency Act/TEA
21 will occur this session. Do you support a greater federal
investment for public transportation programs?
A. Strongly Agree B. Agree
C. Somewhat Agree D. Do not Agree
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
A |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
A |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
A |
3. TEA 21 guarantees funding for federal highway and public
transportation programs. This provides transportation programs with
the stability they need to meet long term infrastructure needs. Would
you support the continuation of such guarantees in the reauthorization
of TEA 21?
A. Yes B. No
C. Not Sure
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
Y |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
Y |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
Y |
4. Currently, federal capital grants are dispersed at 40 percent
new rail starts; 40 percent rail modernization; and 20 percent buses
and bus facilities. Do you support a proposed change to that formula
to a one-third, one-third, one-third split?
A. Very Strongly B. Strongly
C. Somewhat D. Not at All
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
Not sure. Would need more
information. |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
B |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
I am unsure of the implications of
this policy change. I will have to learn more |
5. Do you support doing away with the current formula of 84
percent of all formula funds going to large-urban areas of more than
200,000 in population; 10 percent going to small- urban areas of
between 50,000 and 200,000 populations and 6 percent going to rural
areas of less than 50,000 population for a proposed new formula of 60%
urban, 20% small- urban, and 20% rural?
A. Very Strongly B. Strongly
C. Somewhat D. Not at All
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
Not sure. Would need more
information. |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
D |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
I am unsure of the implications of
this policy change. I will have to learn more. |
6. Do you support development of high speed commuter rail
between Fort Collins and Pueblo as outlined by Tom Norton, Executive
Director, C-DOT, in a recent letter to Norman Mineta, Secretary, US
DOT, in which Mr. Norton asks for US DOT designation of Colorado's
Front Range as a high-speed passenger rail corridor?
A. Very Strongly B. Strongly
C. Somewhat D. Not at All Very
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
C |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
B |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
I am a strong advocate of high-peed
rail. I support designating as many corridors as may be useful.
Funding priorities would come after more study. |
7. What factors would make you more likely to support increased
funding for public transportation?
a. Reduces pollution
b. Reduces congestion
c. Saves energy
d. Promotes economic growth
e. People need it to get around
f. More cost efficient than roads and cars
g. Safer
h. Only transportation for many from the elderly, disability and low
income populations
i. Remains an underutilized, untapped resource
j. Contributes to quality urban design
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
all |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
all |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
all |
8. Please share any additional thoughts or quotes that can help
state your position on re-authorization of TEA 21 and/or public
transportation in Colorado.
| Mike Feeley (D) |
U.S. District 7 |
I will be an advocate for bringing
more funding back to the 7th district and support build out of the
rapid transit network. |
| Mark Udall (D) |
U.S. District 2 |
I strongly believe that we need a
balance of transportation options. We need to find multimode
alternatives to move people, products and information - not
just cars. That is why I support light rail, telecommuting and bus
options including bus rapid transit. I will push for all of
these things in TEA 21 reauthorization. |
| Lance Wright (D) |
U.S. District 6 |
I am a strong advocate of
public/alternative transportation. I personally ride my bicycle to
work (22 mile round-trip) ½ to ¾ of the time on an annual basis. I
often ride the light rail to downtown Denver, when I have meetings
there.
I think it is imperative that the U.S. improve its public transportation system for ALL of the reasons listed in question 7 above. We must remember that approximately 1/3 of our
population fits the definition of "elderly, disabled, and low
income population" and need a reliable method of transportation.
(At some point, we will all be elderly if we are lucky)!
Reducing our dependence on foreign
oil should be a national priority for national security and
economic stability. Improved public transportation is a vital part
of that goal.
|
CMC State Candidate Survey
1. Public transportation is an essential part of a balanced
transportation program for Colorado.
A. Strongly Agree
B. Agree C. Somewhat Agree D. Do not Agree
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4
|
A
|
| Joel
Judd (D) |
HD 5
|
A |
| Jack
Pommer (D) |
HD
11 |
A
|
| Dave
Hustvedt (R) |
HD
13 |
B
|
| Mark
Entrekin (D) |
HD
16 |
A
|
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD
21 |
A |
| Sara
Gagliardi (D) |
HD
27 |
A
|
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD
29 |
A |
| Paul
Zimmerman (D) |
HD
31 |
A
|
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD
36 |
A |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD
41 |
A |
| Kirk
Brush (R) |
HD
53 |
C |
|
Terry Carwile (D) |
HD
57 |
A
|
| Bill
Patterson (D) |
HD
58 |
A |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD
60 |
|
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD
64 |
B
|
| Ken
Clark (D) |
HD
65 |
A
|
| Ken
Kester (R) |
SD 2
|
A |
| Abel
Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
B
|
| John
Evans (R) |
SD
30 |
A |
| Jerri
Hill (D) |
SD
30 |
A
|
| Rollie
Heath (D) |
Governor |
A |
2. If you were asked to distribute $100 in public funds to support
transportation services in Colorado, how much would you allocate to
each of the following types of transportation.
a. Fixed
Route Transit Services and Facilities _______
b. Paratransit Service for Rural Areas and for Seniors and People with
Disabilities ________
c. Carpool or Vanpool __________
d. Roads and Facilities for Private Car/Truck ________
e. Passenger Rail __________
f. Bicycle Facilities _________
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4 |
a.
20 b. 10 c. 5 d. 20 e. 40 f. 5 |
| Joel Judd (D) |
HD 5 |
I don’t favor
public funds for private roads. Otherwise I would allocate based
on need and usage. |
|
Jack Pommer (D) |
HD 11 |
Not sure |
|
Dave Hustvedt (R) |
HD 13 |
a. 5 b. 3 c. 3 d. 88 e.
2 f. 1 |
|
Mark Entrekin (D) |
HD 16 |
a. 30 b. 20 c. 5 d. 5
e. 20 f. 20 |
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD 21 |
Need to discuss |
|
Sara Gagliardi (D) |
HD 27 |
a. 20 b. 30 c. 10 d. 20
e. 10 f. 10 |
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD 29 |
a. 25 b. 25 c. 10 d. 10
e. 25 f. 5 |
|
Paul Zimmerman (D) |
HD 31 |
We should shoot for 30%
on alternative transportation, the bulk on grade-separated
transit. |
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD 36 |
a. 4 b. 1 c. 2 d. 90 e.
2 f. 1 |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD 41 |
a. 20 b. 20 c. 10 d. 20
e. 20 f. 10 |
|
Kirk Brush (R) |
HD 53 |
a. ? b. 5 c. 1 d. 90 e.
2 to help get started, then go to private industry f. 2 |
|
Bill Patterson (D) |
HD 58 |
a. 20 b. 25 c. 5 d. 20
e. 25 f. 5 |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD 60 |
a. 20 b. 20 c. 5 d. 30
e. 20 f. 5 |
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD 64 |
a. 25 b. 40 c. 15 d. 20
e. 0 f. 0 |
|
Ken Clark (D) |
HD 65 |
a. 10 b. 15 c. 5 d. 60
e. 10 f. 0 |
|
Ken Kester (R) |
SD 2 |
a. 20 b. 20 c. 20 d. 20
e. 20 f. 0 |
|
Abel Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
a. 75 b. 5 c. 5 d. 0 e.
15 f. 0 |
|
John Evans (R) |
SD 30 |
a. 30 b. 5 c. 3 d. 60
e. 2 f. 1 |
|
Jerri Hill (D) |
SD 30 |
a. 25 b. 20 c. 5 d. 20
e. 25 f. 5 |
|
Rollie Heath (D) |
Governor |
a. 10 c. 10 d. 50 e. 27
f. 3 -Note: The Governor survey did not include b. |
3. Do you support development of high speed commuter rail
between Fort Collins and Pueblo as outlined by Tom Norton, Executive
Director, C-DOT, in a recent letter to Norman Mineta, Secretary, US
DOT, in which Mr. Norton asks for US DOT designation of Colorado’s
Front Range as a high-speed passenger rail corridor?
A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Somewhat
Agree D. Do not Agree
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4 |
B |
| Joel Judd (D) |
HD 5 |
I have not
studied |
|
Jack Pommer (D) |
HD 11 |
A |
|
Dave Hustvedt (R) |
HD 13 |
C |
|
Mark Entrekin (D) |
HD 16 |
A |
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD 21 |
A |
|
Sara Gagliardi (D) |
HD 27 |
B |
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD 29 |
B |
|
Paul Zimmerman (D) |
HD 31 |
B |
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD 36 |
B |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD 41 |
B |
|
Kirk Brush (R) |
HD 53 |
C |
| Terry Carwile (D) |
HD 57 |
A |
|
Bill Patterson (D) |
HD 58 |
B |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD 60 |
A |
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD 64 |
D |
|
Ken Clark (D) |
HD 65 |
B |
|
Ken Kester (R) |
SD 2 |
B |
|
Abel Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
B |
|
John Evans (R) |
SD 30 |
C |
|
Jerri Hill (D) |
SD 30 |
A |
|
Rollie Heath (D) |
Governor |
A |
4. Would you support indexing the motor fuels tax to reflect
the increase in the cost of highway construction, as reflected by the
Colorado Department of Transportation highway cost index?
A. Strongly
Agree B. Agree C. Somewhat Agree D. Do not Agree
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4 |
C |
| Joel Judd (D) |
HD 5 |
Won't work with
TABOR |
|
Jack Pommer (D) |
HD 11 |
B |
|
Dave Hustvedt (R) |
HD 13 |
C |
|
Mark Entrekin (D) |
HD 16 |
B |
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD 21 |
C |
|
Sara Gagliardi (D) |
HD 27 |
C |
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD 29 |
C |
|
Paul Zimmerman (D) |
HD 31 |
C |
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD 36 |
B |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD 41 |
B |
|
Kirk Brush (R) |
HD 53 |
D |
| Terry Carwile (D) |
HD 57 |
D |
|
Bill Patterson (D) |
HD 58 |
B |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD 60 |
B |
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD 64 |
D |
|
Ken Clark (D) |
HD 65 |
D |
|
Ken Kester (R) |
SD 2 |
D thru bonds |
|
Abel Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
B |
|
John Evans (R) |
SD 30 |
R |
|
Jerri Hill (D) |
SD 30 |
A |
|
Rollie Heath (D) |
Governor |
B |
5. Would you support a community transit pass for everyone?
A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Somewhat
Agree D. Do not Agree
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4 |
C |
| Joel Judd (D) |
HD 5 |
Don't know |
|
Jack Pommer (D) |
HD 11 |
B |
|
Dave Hustvedt (R) |
HD 13 |
C |
|
Mark Entrekin (D) |
HD 16 |
Need info |
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD 21 |
B |
|
Sara Gagliardi (D) |
HD 27 |
Need info |
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD 29 |
C Need info |
|
Paul Zimmerman (D) |
HD 31 |
C Under 20 years |
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD 36 |
C |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD 41 |
C |
|
Kirk Brush (R) |
HD 53 |
D |
| Terry Carwile (D) |
HD 57 |
D |
|
Bill Patterson (D) |
HD 58 |
C |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD 60 |
C |
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD 64 |
B |
|
Ken Clark (D) |
HD 65 |
C |
|
Ken Kester (R) |
SD 2 |
C |
|
Abel Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
B |
|
John Evans (R) |
SD 30 |
D |
|
Jerri Hill (D) |
SD 30 |
A |
|
Rollie Heath (D) |
Governor |
B |
6. What factors would make you more
likely to support increased funding for public transportation ?
a. Reduces pollution
b. Reduces congestion
c. Saves energy
d. Promotes economic growth
e. People need it to get around
f. More cost efficient than roads and cars
g. Safer
h. Remains an underutilized, untapped resource
i. Contributes to quality urban design
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4 |
all |
| Joel Judd (D) |
HD 5 |
all |
|
Jack Pommer (D) |
HD 11 |
all |
|
Dave Hustvedt (R) |
HD 13 |
e,f |
|
Mark Entrekin (D) |
HD 16 |
all |
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD 21 |
a,b,c,g,h |
|
Sara Gagliardi (D) |
HD 27 |
all |
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD 29 |
all |
|
Paul Zimmerman (D) |
HD 31 |
a,b,c,i |
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD 36 |
b,e,f |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD 41 |
a,b,c,d,e,i |
|
Kirk Brush (R) |
HD 53 |
prefer private |
| Terry Carwile (D) |
HD 57 |
a,b,c,g,h,i |
|
Bill Patterson (D) |
HD 58 |
all |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD 60 |
b,c,f,g |
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD 64 |
a,b,c,d,h |
|
Ken Clark (D) |
HD 65 |
all |
|
Ken Kester (R) |
SD 2 |
b,c,f,g |
|
Abel Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
d,f |
|
John Evans (R) |
SD 30 |
f |
|
Jerri Hill (D) |
SD 30 |
all |
|
Rollie Heath (D) |
Governor |
all |
7. Please share any additional thoughts or quotes that can help state
your position on public transportation in Colorado.
| Jerry Frangas (D) |
HD 4 |
NA |
| Joel Judd (D) |
HD 5 |
Light rail is a
tremendous success. We need to build out the system. We have good
bike trails. We can do better. |
|
Jack Pommer (D) |
HD 11 |
Right now we’re playing
catch-up with public transportation; trying to extend bus and rail
lines into areas that have already been developed. That’s
important, but I think we also have to begin integrating public
transportation plans into our growth plans. Public transportation
should be planned and built in concert with new development. |
|
Dave Hustvedt (R) |
HD 13 |
NA |
|
Mark Entrekin (D) |
HD 16 |
I am a strong advocate
for a responsible transportation system. I strongly support
increased funding and development of alternate forms of
transportation. More highways are not the only answer. We need
choice; we need a mixture of transportation resources. We need to
include light rail, high-speed rail, effective bus systems, bike
paths and efficient highway systems. No one vehicle works for all
of our needs. |
|
Timothy Snowden (D) |
HD 21 |
NA |
|
Sara Gagliardi (D) |
HD 27 |
I support enhancing RTD,
light rail, toll roads to improve transportation for Colorado. |
|
Debbie Benefield (D) |
HD 29 |
The many advantages
that a well-planned, responsibly run public transportation
system could offer to Colorado must be explored. We
have taken promising first steps, and now is the time to take
advantage of creative solutions. |
|
Frank Weddig (D) |
HD 36 |
A lot of work to
be done |
|
Suzanne Williams (D) |
HD 41 |
Sitting on the House
Transportation Committee I will continue to advocate for a
multi- modal approach to solving our state transportation
challenges. Keeping transportation at the top of the states agenda
is fundamental to improving our state economy |
|
Kirk Brush (R) |
HD 53 |
Government should
provide good roads for people who prefer auto travel, and
for buses. Government should provide public transit for the
elderly and disabled when not economically viable for private
industry. Government should encourage mass transit by private
industry, such as we already have to/from DIA, and between cities
on the front range (Greyhound Bus). |
| Terry Carwile (D) |
HD 57 |
It seems that a lot of
the congestion problem on the Front Range is a “peak load”
problem. It’s not possible to build out of this problem.
Solutions should focus on reducing single-occupant vehicles during
peak load traffic and expanding public transportation to the
north, west, and south. |
|
Bill Patterson (D) |
HD 58 |
NA |
|
Emily Tracy (D) |
HD 60 |
This is a quote from my
campaign “walking card:” “Protect funds for rural
transportation, develop creative alternatives to highways
including expanded telecommunications infrastructure and commuter
rail." |
|
Wesley McKinley (D) |
HD 64 |
We need public
transportation options in this District. |
|
Ken Clark (D) |
HD 65 |
Public transportation
planning and development must include services and connections to
rural areas |
|
Ken Kester (R) |
SD 2 |
It’s necessary for our
future plans. |
|
Abel Tapia (D) |
SD 3 |
NA |
|
John Evans (R) |
SD 30 |
NA |
|
Jerri Hill (D) |
SD 30 |
NA |
|
Rollie Heath (D) |
Governor |
Colorado is one of only
five states in the U.S. that doesn’t have at least one fulltime
person in the Transportation Department devoted to alternative
transportation. When I am elected Governor I will conduct a
top-to- bottom audit of the Transportation Department to determine
exactly what resources we have. My goal will be to allocate at
least 25 percent of the resources to alternative transit.
|
Note: The Governor survey included these two additional questions.
Candidate Rollie Heath’s response is bolded and underlined.
Would you support a division of State general fund monies,
currently going only for highway construction, to be split on a 50/50
basis with alternative transportation choices namely pedestrian,
bicycle, bus, and rail?
| I support a 66 percent highways/34
percent transit split Accessible transportation in rural Colorado
and transportation for the elderly and persons with disabilities
is woefully inadequate throughout the State. Would you support
State funding to address this? |
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