Telephone Town Hall Offering Citizens Forum to Talk Transportation in West Central Colorado

April 23, 2014 - Northwestern Colorado/CDOT Region 3 - EAGLE – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is hosting a telephone town hall next week for the residents of Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin, and Summit counties, providing an opportunity for them to ask questions and provide input about their regional transportation priorities.

On Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m., citizens living in west central 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 looking forward to this conversation between CDOT and the residents of the intermountain areas of Colorado,” said Intermountain Regional Planning Commission Chairman Thad Noll. “Reducing congestion, expanding transit services and improving cycling conditions are just a few of the issues that are important in this area of the state. Employing a telephone town hall is an excellent way to reach out to citizens and it provides a good way for 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.

“I am most pleased by the incremental progress we have been able to make on key corridors in the area,” said Colorado Transportation Commissioner Doug Aden. “Highway 9 in Summit County is one such corridor. We've been making steady progress since 2004 widening the roadway from two to four lanes which will increase safety and mobility of drivers, transit, pedestrians and bicyclists. Starting this spring, we will continue with improvements from Coyne Valley and Agape Church. Additionally, realignment of State Highway 9 at Iron Springs recently received funding – a project that serves as an excellent example of partnership between the county and CDOT and should get underway in 2016.”