Telephone Town Hall Offering Citizens Forum to Talk Transportation in Southeast Colorado

April 17, 2014 - Southeastern Colorado/CDOT Region 2 - LAMAR – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hosting a telephone town hall next week for the residents of Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers counties, providing an opportunity for them to ask questions and provide input about their regional transportation priorities.

On Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m., citizens living in southeastern Colorado will be called at random through an automated system and invited to take part in the telephone forum.  Anyone who wants to participate but did not receive a call can dial in, toll-free, at 1-877-229-8493, PIN 112034. Those who choose to join the call will have the chance to express their thoughts and ask questions about transportation.  Participants also will be able to use their keypad to answer live polls.

“I’m excited to be involved in this conversation between CDOT and the users of its transportation network in southeastern Colorado,” said Southeast Colorado Transportation Planning Region Chairman Dan Tate.  “There’s a lot of interest in maintaining good roadway conditions and improving safety in the downtown areas of our cities and towns.  A telephone town hall is great way to reach the citizens of this area and it allows their voices to be heard as part of the transportation planning process.”

CDOT is hosting the telephone town halls for residents in all 64 counties through early June.  Coloradans are being encouraged to join the conversation and express their thoughts on how CDOT should focus its limited funding, discuss the link between transportation and the economy, and weigh in on regional priorities.

“Foremost on my mind is that our projects and programs in southern and southeastern Colorado will improve the quality of life and safety of the traveling public,” said Colorado Transportation Commissioner Bill Thiebaut.  “An important strategy is to maintain the rural roads we have, especially given high truck traffic, the importance of agriculture to our economy and the sense of community we share from Lamar to Westcliffe and all points in between. Something as simple as expanding shoulders on rural roads can allow our motorists to safely pull over, our bicyclists to safely share the road, and our wildlife to be appreciated.”