U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Colorado Governor Jared Polis look over the progress on the Floyd Hill project on Friday, April 19, 2024. Photo courtesy of CDOT.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has awarded $7.2 billion in funding in Colorado, unleashing more than 1,000 projects statewide
The impacts of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law on November 15, 2012, might have seemed slow to start, but the rollout is bringing historic results to Colorado.
Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Congressional Delegation are celebrating the three-year anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, To date, $7.2 billion from IIJA has been awarded in Colorado, supporting over 1,000 different projects so far.
This funding is projected to create over 40,000 new jobs in Colorado to accomplish transportation, clean energy, clean water, climate resilience, and broadband projects.
Polis was the first governor in the country to support this bipartisan federal law. Since day one of IIJA becoming law, his administration has worked with local partners to draw down federal funding to Colorado communities by providing grant writing, grant navigation, and matching funds support.
“Since the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act three years ago, Colorado has worked hard to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said Polis. “This widely popular law is expanding passenger rail, modernizing our roads and bridges, creating more jobs, and solidifying Colorado’s place as a leader in clean energy. We look forward to carrying on our important work with local communities and Tribes, and thank members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation for their work to pass this historic law.”
CDOT and Poncha Springs officials gather at the intersection U.S. 50 and U.S.285 for the start of the Rural Roads Project. Front Left to Right: Rock Sol Project Engineer Paul Granahan, CDOT Traffic & Safety Program Engineer Jennifer Allison, Poncha Springs Town Administrator Lance Hostetter, CDOT Region 5 Transportation Director Julie Constan, CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew, CDOT Section 7 Deputy Maintenance Superintendent Marc Quintana. Back Left to Right: Buena Vista Town Manager (Former Poncha Town Manager) Brian Berger, Poncha Springs Trustee , Katie Davis, J.D. Longwell Poncha Springs, Poncha Springs Maintenance Supervisor Adrian Quintana, Rock Sol Inspector Tom Schlup, CDOT Design Engineer Beaux Kemp, CDOT Maintenance Supervisor Chaffee County Tyler Carlson, CDOT Resident Engineer David Peyton, United Companies Superintendent Pat Brown, Poncha Public Works Superintendent Sean Kelly, Poncha Public Works Assistant Superintendent Hayden Sich.
Leveraging Funding at Historic Levels
According to the state’s report, the state has assisted local partners in securing $106 million of the $7.2 billion awarded in Colorado by leveraging $6.2 million in state funds to maximize this effort, generating a remarkable return of $17 in federal funding to Colorado communities for every $1 spent by the State.
“After decades of investing everywhere but the United States, Congress came together three years ago to pass the most significant bipartisan investment in our infrastructure since Eisenhower was President,” said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. “This historic law is helping Colorado communities build roads and bridges, expand broadband access, and improve wastewater infrastructure to keep Coloradans healthy, safe, and connected. There is no state better prepared than Colorado to benefit from these investments and lead the rest of the country into the 21st century.”
“From $250 million for the Arkansas Valley Conduit to $100 million for I-70 improvements at Floyd Hill, our Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has invested in 21st century infrastructure all over Colorado. That’s only the last three years, and we’re not done yet,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is advancing Colorado’s future by making a once-in-a-generation investment in our roads, bridges, airports, clean water, and accessible high-speed internet. In the three years since it was signed into law, it has created good-paying jobs while modernizing our infrastructure to be more resilient in the face of a changing climate, including by reducing emissions and helping us move towards a carbon-free future,” said U.S. Congresswoman Diana DeGette. I am proud to have voted for this historic law, and I look forward to seeing how it will continue to deliver for our state,”
“As we celebrate three years of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we reflect on the monumental progress this legislation has initiated for the state of Colorado and for communities across the 2nd District, including lowering energy costs, improving roadway safety, enhancing climate preparedness programs, supporting research at higher education institutions, and—most recently—helping to make Front Range Passenger Rail a reality,” said U.S. House Assistant Minority Leader Congressman Joe Neguse. I continue to be incredibly proud of our efforts to craft this bill, always keeping the interests of the Rocky Mountain West top of mind,”
“For three years now, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has paved the way for historic investments in our nation’s transportation infrastructure, electric grid, and clean energy economy, all while creating good-paying jobs right here in Colorado. I’m proud to have supported this landmark legislation, and it’s always impactful to see the real-world effects this bill continues to have in the lives of Coloradans,” said U.S. Congressman Jason Crow.
“Today, we commemorate the three year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has invested billions of dollars in our state and will continue to enable new federal funding opportunities for Colorado’s 8th District to benefit from for decades to come,” said U.S. Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo. “This once in a generation investment in America will continue to help transform our infrastructure and bring new projects online, create good-paying jobs, and set our state up to continue to be a leader in the clean energy transition.”
“Three years ago, Congress came together and worked the way it’s supposed to — across party lines by passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, bringing historic federal funding to critical infrastructure projects across Colorado,” said U.S. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “From upgrading aging water infrastructure to expanding broadband access in our rural areas and repairing roads and bridges, this once-in-a-lifetime legislation has already made transformative investments in our communities. I will keep working to deliver federal resources to modernize our infrastructure and build a better, brighter future for all Coloradans.”
Colorado has set a national standard in collaborating with communities statewide to tap into resources from IIJA and the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more here.