colorado transportation issues

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Colorado Transportation Issues

July 10, 2013

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These unique polling results are based on 1,001 live telephone surveys among likely 2014 voters statewide in Colorado. This sample accurately represents Colorado voters statewide by political affiliation, gender, age, ethnicity and region.These surveys were conducted November 28 – December 2, 2012. For this sample of 1,001 interviews the worst case margin of error at the 95% level is plus or minus 3.1%. When looking at subsample groups, such as men and women, the worst case margin of error depends on the number of responses.

Polling Methodology

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The Colorado Department of Transportation Is Well Liked Around The State.

Most Coloradans Rate The Transportation They Use As Good, Convenient and Easy To Use.

- With Concerns About Road Maintenance & Bridge Safety

Colorado’s Roads Are Congested, But Its Not Considered A Severe Problem – Especially In Rural Counties.

To Reduce Congestion - Expanding Transit Is Preferred Over Increasing Capacity.

Key Poll Findings

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Transportation Is Not The Most Important State Priority.

Voters Believe It’s Practical To Pay $30-$90 More Per Year In Taxes - If It Is Dedicated To Improving Transportation.

There Is Little Appetite For A Gas Tax Increase.A Majority Of Voters Are Supportive Of A Sales

Tax Increase Dedicated to Transportation Improvement Projects.

To Garner Support: Use A Forward Thinking Economic Message Frame.

Key Poll Findings (Continued)

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Overview of Voter Attitudes and Feelings About Transportation In Colorado

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11 More Urban Counties 53 Rural Counties

70 72

15 1515 13

FavorableUnfavorableUnfamiliar

The Colorado Department of Transportation Is Viewed Favorably“Now I’m going to read the names of several public figures and groups. After I read each one, please tell me if you have a very favorable opinion,

somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion?”

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30

3 610 11 6

60

86 88FavorableUnfavorableUnfamiliar

Regional Advocacy Groups Are Largely Unknown

Action 22 Counties

Only

Club 20 Counties Only

Progressive 15 Counties

Only

“Now I’m going to read the names of several public figures and groups. After I read each one, please tell me if you have a very favorable opinion,

somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion?”

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Voters Around The State Describe the Quality of the Transportation They Use as Good or Fair“Thinking about transportation in Colorado that you use - the roads, highways,

bridges, busses and rail - would you describe the quality as excellent, good, fair or poor?”

7%10%

Fair40%

Good42%

Excellent

Poor

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Voters Like Best:Easy Access and the Roads Are Good

“What do you like best about Colorado's roads, highways, bridges and transit system?”

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Most Important Transportation Concern: Repair Roads and Fix Bridges

“What is the number one problem or concern that you have with Colorado's roads, highways, bridges and transit system?”

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11 More Urban Counties53 Rural Counties

66%

Very27%

36%Very12%

34%64%

CongestedNot Congested

Urban Coloradans Say The Roads Are Somewhat Congested

- Roads In Rural Colorado Typically Are Not Congested“Thinking specifically about traffic and congestion on the roads and highways that

you use – would you say they are typically congested with traffic when you use them?”

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39%

27%

60%72%

Always / FrequentlyOccasionally / Never

Colorado Drivers Typically Aren’t Inconvenienced By Congestion

“How often do you take an alternate route to avoid using a road or highway because it’s too congested with traffic – always, frequently, occasionally or never?”

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42%

26%

52% 69%

WillingNot Willing

A Majority of Coloradans Say They Aren’t Willing To Pay A Toll To Reduce Congestion And Decrease Drive

Time “Thinking specifically about traffic and congestion on the roads and highways that you use – would you be willing to pay a toll to access a road or highway if it reduces congestion and decreases the time it takes to get to your destination?”

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58%

49%37%38%

Expand Transit Services Increase Capacity On Our Roads

Expanding Transit Is The Preferred Solution To Reduce Traffic And Congestion

“Which one of the following is the best way to reduce traffic and congestion on the roads and highways that you use?

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Best Ways to Improve Transportation: Light Rail and Mass Transit

“What is the best way to improve transportation here in Colorado?”

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Transportation and State Funding Priorities

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Jobs | Economic Downturn

Education | School Funding

State Budget | Government | Taxes

Health Care

Marijuana legalization

Water, drought, fires

Transportation

44%

20%

17%

8%

7%

5%

5%

Jobs / Economy Is The Most Important Issue Facing The State 53 Rural

Counties

45%

14%

19%

6%

11%

“What would you say are the most important issues

or challenges facing Colorado?”

8%

3%

Statewide Results

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Half of Voters Support Increased Transportation Funding

Statewide 53 Rural Counties

52% 50%

39% 38%

4% 5%

IncreasedKept The SameDecreased

A lot14%

A lot9%

“Do you think state funding for Colorado’s transportation needs should be increased, decreased or kept the same? If respondent says increased ask: Do

you think funding should be increased a lot, some, or just a little?”

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Information About The Transportation Budget Boosts Voter Support For Increasing Transportation Funding

Initial

52%

39%

4%


A lot14%

“Do you think state funding for Colorado’s transportation needs should be increased, decreased or kept the same?

If respondent says increased ask: Do you think funding should be increased a lot, some, or just a little?”

…While you may or may not be aware of it, the YEARLY budget that the Colorado Department of Transportation uses to maintain, improve and repair our roads, highways and bridges has been cut by nearly one-third over the past five years…

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Information About The Transportation Budget Boosts Voter Support For Increasing Transportation Funding

Initial Informed

52%

64%

39%31%

4% 2%


A lot14%

“Do you think state funding for Colorado’s transportation needs should be increased, decreased or kept the same? If respondent says increased ask: Do you think funding should be increased a lot,

some, or just a little?”

A lot19%

+12 points

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Voters Are Willing To Pay A Little More In Taxes, If:The Money is Dedicated To Maintaining, Improving And Repairing

Colorado’s Roads, Highways, Bridges And Transit System

$30 Per Year $60 Per Year $90 Per Year

70%68% 66%66% 66%

50%


“Would you be willing to increase your taxes by ($30, $60, $90) per year if that money is dedicated to maintaining, improving and repairing Colorado’s roads, highways, bridges and transit system?”

% Willing

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Voters Have Very Little Appetite For a Gas Tax Increase

5 cents per gallon 10 cents per gallon 15 cents per gallon

33%23%

17%

31%22%

6%


“Now I’d like to read some proposals to increase taxes with the requirement that the additional tax revenues are used to fund transportation projects like improvements and repairs to Colorado’s roads, bridges and transportation system”Do you favor or oppose a proposal to increase the state gas tax by 5 / 10 / 15 cents per gallon?

% Favor Increasing The State Gas Tax

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Voters Are Most Supportive Of A Sales Tax Increase

25%19%

39%

51%58%

26%21%

34%43%

57%


“Now I’d like to read some proposals to increase taxes with the requirement that the additional tax revenues are used to fund transportation projects like improvements and repairs to Colorado’s roads, bridges and transportation system?

Vehicle Miles Traveled Tax

VMT Explained

Expand Sales Tax To Include

Gas

Index Gas Tax To Inflation

Half Cent Sales Tax Increase

% Favor The Proposal

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Reasons To Support Increased Transportation Funding

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Top Reasons to Support Increased Funding for Transportation

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1. Increase Transit. This proposal will include funding to increase transit capacity and options such as light rail, rapid transit and bus services.2. Bridge Safety. Many of Colorado’s bridges are in disrepair including 123 bridges, many of which you use, that are rated in poor condition. Additional transportation funding will allow us to maintain and improve the safety of our bridges.3. Maintain Roads. 52 percent of our state highway infrastructure is in poor condition and our roads have degraded so badly that major reconstruction is necessary. Additional transportation funding now will allow us to better maintain our existing roads and avoid even bigger much costlier repairs in the future.

A Forward Thinking Message FrameA modern-up-to-date transportation system

makes Colorado’s economy stronger by putting people to work and attracting businesses and employers to Colorado – creating good paying

jobs.

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Colorado Transportation Issues

Questions? Contact Roger Sherman at 303-592-5465 or

[email protected]

colorado transportation issues

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