40 Facts About Colorado Department Of Transportation

Formation and History

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has a rich history that dates back over a century. Understanding its origins helps appreciate its current role in maintaining Colorado's transportation infrastructure.

1. Formation and History: CDOT's roots trace back to 1909 when the first highway bill was passed, forming a three-member Highway Commission to approve work and allocate funds. The State Highway Fund was created in 1917, and the State Highway Department was formed the same year.

2. Mission Statement: CDOT's mission is "To provide the best multi-modal transportation system for Colorado that most effectively moves people, goods, and information."

3. Jurisdiction: CDOT operates under the jurisdiction of Colorado, with its headquarters located at 2829 W. Howard Place, Denver, CO 80204.

4. Employees and Budget: As of 2022, CDOT employs approximately 3,000 individuals and has an annual budget of $2 billion.

Colorado's Highway System

CDOT manages an extensive network of highways and interstates, ensuring they are safe and efficient for all users.

5. Transportation System: The state highway system managed by CDOT includes nearly 9,144 miles of highways and 3,429 bridges, with over 28 billion vehicle miles of travel per year.

6. Highway System Mileage: The state highway system consists of interstate highways (I-25, I-70, I-76), U.S. highways, toll roads, and state highways. County and city roads are not part of the state highway system.

7. Public Highway Authorities: There are three public highway authorities in Colorado: E-470, Northwest Parkway, and Jefferson Parkway. These authorities manage toll roads and other public highways.

8. E-470 Overview: E-470 is a 47-mile toll highway running along the eastern perimeter of the Denver metropolitan area. It was formed in 1985 and completed in 2003.

Public Transit and Aviation

CDOT also oversees public transit and aviation, ensuring comprehensive transportation options for Colorado residents.

9. Regional Transportation District (RTD): RTD operates public transit services in the Denver metropolitan area, including buses and light rail.

10. Aviation Division: The Colorado Division of Aeronautics, part of CDOT, is responsible for the development of aviation in Colorado. It was created by statute in 1988.

Interstate Highways

Interstate highways are a critical part of Colorado's transportation network, connecting the state to the rest of the country.

11. Interstate Highways in Colorado: The first segment of interstate highway in Colorado was signed and appeared on maps in 1961. The highest point on the interstate system is at the Eisenhower Tunnel, which is 11,155 feet above sea level.

12. Completion of Interstate System: The last section of interstate highway to open in Colorado was I-76 between Pecos Street and I-25, completed in September 1993. This marked the completion of the interstate system in Colorado.

13. Designated Interstate Miles: Colorado has 956 designated miles of interstate highway, which account for only about 10% of the total state highway system but carry 40% of the state's travel.

14. I-70 Final Link Segment: The I-70 Final Link segment in Glenwood Canyon was dedicated in October 1992. This segment includes 40 bridges and viaducts, three tunnels, 15 miles of retaining wall, four full-service rest areas, and a bikepath.

Maintenance and Operations

CDOT's maintenance and operations ensure that Colorado's roads are safe and well-maintained year-round.

15. Pavement Management: CDOT conducts extensive pavement management activities, including the use of Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to evaluate long-term decisions about additional highway assets.

16. Snow and Ice Operations: CDOT is responsible for snow and ice operations on state highways, ensuring safety during winter months. This includes snowplowing, sanding, and deicing over 7.2 million miles of highway annually.

17. Roadway Maintenance and Preservation: CDOT conducts regular roadway maintenance and preservation activities to extend the life of roadways. This includes cracksealing and chipsealing to prevent damage.

18. Construction Management: CDOT manages construction projects across the state, ensuring that new infrastructure is built efficiently and effectively. This includes designing and constructing multi-modal facilities.

19. Traffic Monitoring: CDOT monitors traffic conditions across the state, providing real-time information to motorists. This includes electronic messaging systems to communicate travel times and other road information.

20. Avalanche Control: CDOT's Division of Maintenance and Operations includes avalanche control measures to reduce the risk of snow slides affecting highways. Over 500 avalanches are triggered annually to ensure safety.

21. Rockfall Mitigation: CDOT implements rockfall mitigation measures to prevent rockfalls on highways, ensuring the safety of motorists. This includes regular inspections and maintenance of rockfall-prone areas.

Transit Development and Safety

CDOT supports transit development and promotes traffic safety through various initiatives and programs.

22. Transit Development and Grants: CDOT supports transit development across the state by providing grants and assistance to various transit systems. This includes the Bustang intercity bus service and the Flatiron Flyer connecting Boulder to Denver.

23. Traffic Safety Education: CDOT offers traffic safety education programs focusing on impaired driving, teen driving, distracted driving, work zone safety, seat belts, and more. These programs aim to reduce traffic collisions and improve road safety.

Environmental and Sustainable Initiatives

CDOT is committed to environmental protection and sustainability, adopting policies to reduce emissions and promote greener transportation.

24. Environmental Protection: CDOT is committed to environmental protection, adopting policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, Colorado adopted a low emission vehicle standard, and in 2019, a zero emission vehicle standard was implemented.

25. Sustainable Transportation Policy: CDOT's sustainable transportation policy aims to reduce emissions by requiring transportation planners to calculate emissions associated with projects and mitigate them accordingly. This policy was approved by the State Transportation Commission in 2019.

26. Economic Benefits: Implementing sustainable transportation policies could deliver $40 billion in economic benefits, including fewer traffic collisions and improved air quality.

Regulation and Governance

CDOT regulates motor carriers and is governed by the Transportation Commission of Colorado, ensuring effective management and safety.

27. Motor Carrier Regulation: CDOT regulates motor carriers over 10,000 lbs, requiring them to obtain a federal USDOT safety tracking number to monitor carriers' safety management practices and controls.

28. History of Highway Patrol: The Colorado State Highway Courtesy Patrol was established in 1935 with 44 new employees selected from among 7,500 applicants. The Patrol became a division of the Highway Department and played a significant role in maintaining highway safety.

29. Federal Interstate Highways Act: In 1956, Congress passed the Federal Interstate Highways Act, which included sections of I-70 from Denver to the Utah border. This marked a significant milestone in Colorado's highway development.

30. Reorganization of Highway Department: In 1953, the state legislature passed a new law reorganizing the Highway Department and renaming it the Colorado Department of Highways (CDOH). This reorganization aimed to better align functions and budgets with federal standards.

31. Creation of CDOT: In 1991, CDOH was renamed CDOT to better align its functions and budgets with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

32. Leadership and Governance: CDOT is governed by the Transportation Commission of Colorado. Shoshana Lew assumed leadership of CDOT in 2019, leading efforts to implement sustainable transportation policies and reduce emissions.

Specialized Divisions

CDOT includes specialized divisions that focus on specific aspects of transportation, such as aviation and transit.

33. Division of Aeronautics: The Division of Aeronautics supports aviation interests statewide, ensuring that aviation infrastructure is safe and efficient. This includes managing airports and developing aviation policies.

34. Division of Transit and Rail: The Division of Transit and Rail provides assistance to numerous transit systems in the state, including bus services like Bustang and local transit systems.

Environmental Initiatives

CDOT has implemented various environmental initiatives to reduce emissions and promote sustainability.

35. Environmental Initiatives: CDOT has implemented various environmental initiatives, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions through low emission vehicle standards and zero emission vehicle standards. These initiatives aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 6 million tons by 2030.

Maintenance Activities

CDOT conducts extensive maintenance activities to ensure the longevity and safety of Colorado's highways.

36. Highway Maintenance Activities: CDOT conducts extensive highway maintenance activities, including repairing and maintaining over 8.7 million square yards of roadway surface annually. This involves using 248,018 tons of asphalt and 178,841 gallons of liquid asphalt.

37. Sign Replacement and Repair: CDOT replaces and repairs over 67,830 signs and sign posts annually, ensuring that signage is clear and effective for motorists.

38. Avalanche Control Measures: CDOT triggers over 500 avalanches annually to reduce the risk of snow slides affecting highways. This is part of their avalanche control measures to ensure safety during winter months.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

CDOT uses advanced technologies to monitor traffic conditions and improve mobility and safety.

39. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): CDOT has increased the scope of ITS to improve and enhance mobility and traffic safety throughout Colorado. This includes using advanced technologies to monitor traffic conditions and provide real-time information to motorists.

Challenges and Future Plans

Despite its achievements, CDOT faces challenges and is planning for the future to ensure continued success.

40. Challenges and Future Plans: Despite its achievements, CDOT faces challenges such as a severe funding shortfall. To address this, CDOT is considering options to increase revenue, such as raising certain truck fees and tolling existing roads. This will help ensure that the state's transportation system remains safe and efficient in the future.

Colorado's Transportation Backbone

CDOT keeps Colorado moving. From its early days in 1909 to today's $2 billion budget, this agency ensures safe, efficient travel across nearly 9,144 miles of highways and 3,429 bridges. They handle everything from snowplowing 7.2 million miles of roads to managing avalanche control. CDOT also supports public transit like Bustang and RTD, and even oversees aviation through the Division of Aeronautics.

Their commitment to sustainability is clear with policies reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting zero-emission vehicles. Despite challenges like funding shortfalls, CDOT continues to innovate with intelligent transportation systems and rockfall mitigation. They’re not just about roads; they’re about safety, efficiency, and the environment. CDOT's work impacts every Coloradan, making travel smoother and safer. Their efforts ensure that Colorado's transportation system remains robust and ready for the future.