In November 2007, after the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for addressing congestion on the I-70 corridor did not even consider mass transit as an option, Governor Ritter directed the Colorado Department of Transportation to enter into a conflict resolution process with stakeholders in the ongoing debate over how to ease the congestion on I-70. Stakeholders in this "Collaborative Effort" included representatives of the Colorado Department of Transportation, communities along I-70, the trucking and ski industries, CEC, and transit and highway advocates.  

In June 2008, the members of the I-70 Collaborative Effort team reached agreement on multi-modal strategies to improve the corridor with high-speed rail and highway improvements. Specifically, the members committed to evaluate and implement, if feasible, a high-speed train along the I-70 west corridor and make specific highway improvements. They also agreed not to make any additional highway improvements beyond those specifically described until either the train is functioning or the studies indicate that the train system cannot be funded or implemented by 2025. Several studies are currently underway that will provide further information to help the team evaluate the viability of the high-speed passenger rail system.

CEC would like to thank the members of the Collaborative Effort team for their hard work and dedication to this effort!

As the EIS process moves forward and a final EIS is developed, the Collaborative Effort team will be called upon to review progress on the recommendations, with check-ins at least every two years. CEC will continue to work the Collaborative Effort team. CEC will also continue to monitor, with partner organizations, the treatment of environmental issues such as global warming pollution, water and air pollution, and wildlife mitigation in the development of the final EIS. Stay tuned for more information as the implementation moves forward.