It's time to demand safer roads for all residents and visitors to our state. Sign this petition to urge our state legislators and transportation authorities to take decisive action and invest in repairing and upgrading our roads. Every signature brings us closer to ensuring our journeys are smooth, safe, and secure.
Colorado ranks as one of the worst states in the nation for road conditions and has the 12th lowest gas tax in the country.
CRS 43-4-201-207: The Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) is the primary source of state highway system funding in Colorado. Revenue credited to the HUTF primarily comes from motor fuel taxes and fees and vehicle registration fees, including the Road Safety Surcharge.  State and federal gas tax have not changed in over 30 years. In 2025, Colorado has not lost federal funding for its highways, but the state legislature has significantly cut state funds for highway projects. We are in a crisis.

According to Insurify Insurance Agency, “Hawaii and Colorado are the most expensive states to register a vehicle in.” Colorado’s registration fees continue to increase yet we do not see the improvements and maintenance of our roads that one would expect to come with these increases. With Rural Colorado experiencing the worst when it comes to the roads and highways that the public is forced to drive on, we certainly are not seeing any improvements coming from the fees we are being charged. One does not mind paying the price if we are able to see where our tax dollars and fees are being spent, which we are not. We are asking for more transparency as to how and where our money IS being spent.

I have experienced firsthand the dangers of driving on our state's unsafe and dangerous roads. It is incredibly challenging to maintain control of a vehicle when confronted with numerous potholes and sections resembling a washboard and other deterioration factors. On one occasion, I suffered a tire blow-out from hitting a pothole causing considerable damage to a stock trailer and concerns in trying to avoid traffic concerns and to find a safe place to pull over.  Sometimes the impact of encountering these types of hazards is so severe that it has knocked my cruise control back to manual. Furthermore, when encountering these extremely rough road conditions, the seatbelt tightens up abruptly, which normally occurs as a safety precaution when encountering potential danger. But to experience this on a road that is supposed to be considered safe to travel on?  This is not normal!
These experiences are not just isolated cases. Friends and family have experienced many hazards of their own on Colorado’s roads.  Across our state, countless individuals face similar challenges daily, risking their safety as they navigate deteriorating infrastructure. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, only 34% of Colorado’s roads are in good condition. Therefore, leading to higher vehicle repair costs, increased accident rates, and significant delays in travel times. These statistics highlight a pressing need for immediate action to address the state of our roads and highways.

The ASCE's 2025 Colorado Infrastructure Report Card assigns the state's highways a D+ grade, indicating they are in poor condition and require significant attention due to aging infrastructure and insufficient funding. A D+ grade means that while the infrastructure is functioning, it's a state of distress, with only about a third of Colorado's roads in good condition and drivers facing over $1,700 in wear and tear costs annually. 
Key Findings for Colorado's Highways
•    Grade: D+

•    Condition: Poor, with only about one-third of roads in good condition. 

•    Costs: Drivers face significant financial burdens, with wear-and-tear costs for Colorado's roads being more than double the national average. 

•    Challenges: Aging systems and insufficient investment have left highways in a state of distress. 

•     Deteriorating Conditions: Only 34% of Colorado's roads are in good condition, significantly lower than the national average.

•    Congestion: Colorado's growing population (39% increase since 2020) has led to increased traffic congestion, particularly in urban areas like Denver, where drivers lose an average of 67 hours annually due to traffic.

•    Funding Shortfalls: Colorado's transportation infrastructure remains underfunded despite recent state and federal investments, The state faces a projected $2.35 billion funding gap for roads alone.

•    Maintenance Costs: The state's mountainous terrain and extreme weather contribute to costly maintenance challenges, inhibiting necessary upkeep.

•    Impact of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: The increasing adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles further strains funding as they rely less on gasoline taxes. 
Our roads are not just pathways for vehicles; they are vital corridors for commerce, emergency services, and daily commuting. When they fall into disrepair, they jeopardize not only our safety but also our state's economy. Additionally, the costs associated with vehicle maintenance due to poor road conditions are estimated to exceed $1,700 annually per driver.

To address this urgent issue, we propose a comprehensive plan to allocate state funds for the repaving and repair of our roads and highways. As it stands now, the State of Colorado does not seem to have enough resources to finance the upkeep of our highways. The ASCE stresses the need for urgent action through planning, increased funding, and collaboration to create a reliable and sustainable transportation system for Colorado's future.