[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6212103,"mediaKeyId","3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a","parentId",3685974,"title","Southwest Colorado callers press CDOT on transit gaps; agency cites planned Pagosa–Durango route and local partnerships","audioSeconds",904,"startMs",1264000,"endMs",2168000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a&start=1264&end=2168","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a/thumbnail_1264000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6212103/Colorado/Southwest-Colorado-callers-press-CDOT-on-transit-gaps-agency-cites-planned-PagosaDurango-route-and-local-partnerships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212103-7ee44f2dc4a2848b1cc4bc4930e7b4a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021604&Signature=o3BRURLXaG~GeWLS5yB--W0kp1z5G98cJLeXpA1jCCm8qZ6~GQXVxXhhxf8OZxSljgq3k7BWDDfwlLlj7cb7a4xeUfM5ipaDpbBY62DfdZ6cM9IgW0~b1CYvzO7ibZ4RRubkwL0yyen0B4tM9QC3e2uNbY7lT4e8jwkgARsH0NvFBy8SSv8dEByOmqfUK7yZSLtPht0tU30dPGvPRAeJ~EuhKoTcFGviJvmCBnPgFg~GkQmdT3fykWQFIN6Z6XoayLAfXMlx-PKgi2aqD3CKEUfXURQtf3X2OZ0TTBPBySPsRvyFovlZ1FRGt~pZRhq1Nje1E0Qdo1kGY4JhWdi4wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Department of Transportation","date","2025-06-06T13:35:52Z","article","Residents of Southwest Colorado used a CDOT Region 5 telephone town hall to press for more transit options, including a regularly scheduled route between Pagosa Springs and Durango, service to Purgatory Ski Area, and an affordable connection to Durango‑La Plata County Airport.

John, a caller who identified himself as living in Durango, said many outlying workers cannot afford housing in Durango and lack transit to jobs. Julie Constant said \"CDOT does have, almost $2,700,000 in our 10 year plan, for operations of a transit route between Pagosa Springs and Durango. That should hopefully be kicking off here in the next couple of years.\" She said CDOT is working to identify an operator for that route.

Callers also asked about service to Purgatory Ski Area. Mitch, who said he works at Purgatory, asked whether a bus might serve patrons as well as employees. Constant said CDOT had been contacted by Purgatory in the previous two days and that the agency was working with the city of Durango, La Plata County and Purgatory to explore funding options for a possible route.

Airport access drew questions from Veronica, who described paying $125 for private rides to the airport. Commissioner Mark Garcia said there is currently no dedicated transit option from Durango to the airport; Roadrunner Transit passes the airport on its Ignacio–Durango route and could be a drop‑off option.

Commissioner Garcia and Constant also discussed existing intercity and regional services. Garcia noted Bustang provides service connecting Bayfield and Grand Junction and CDOT staff said some transit agencies are pursuing routes along US 160 and other corridors; CDOT said funding remains a constraint and many routes depend on identifying operators and grant packages.

CDOT asked residents to use the yourtransportationplan.com survey to register priorities and to stay engaged as the agency and local partners refine routes. No new, immediately funded transit routes were announced on the call; staff described planning steps and existing programmatic funding in the 10‑year plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CDOT 2025 Telephone Town Hall covering Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Dolores, etc. counties","oneSentenceSummary","Residents asked CDOT about missing transit links (Durango airport, Purgatory Ski Area, Durango–Pagosa and Durango–Bayfield connections). CDOT said nearly $2.7 million is in the 10‑year plan for a Pagosa–Durango route, is exploring a Purgatory connection and noted existing Bustang and Roadrunner services.","taxTitle","Transportation Commission, Governor's Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Colorado","taxId",27826,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6212108,"CDOT outlines Region 5 projects: $59M for US‑160, Pagosa downtown rebuild, Wolf Creek repaving and wildlife mitigation",1602,1514000,3116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a&start=1514&end=3116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a/thumbnail_1514000.jpg","/articles/6212108/Colorado/CDOT-outlines-Region-5-projects-59M-for-US160-Pagosa-downtown-rebuild-Wolf-Creek-repaving-and-wildlife-mitigation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212108-76497bee74d2be937fa5cbe4f3d36d5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021604&Signature=S6edJP1xJNkzjymk141qYDSI7RUs96tCB48h35Xw7uolRUoAJeiydbLhhVPkmNeZbg~WN56iWDgFVWdjF7Qq8jxNkXOngb905C~MjHR1s7qW2PflvcVB-O0Azf5irsVlNPusxGjdzkjsN-Oa4QZ3BgRjbxOmoWarES2xR3eQtJad3h62~Qm6cIZsZoKefBmXEn0dT286FOEBX9u90ZJd-8PWiXjs9JST-PBZTMPqDRLkrpcDQ5zGm9NbptZC0faL01bYF7r1zBxaFQWa~6QMKH8OsX92uN1UEMvD6hfDT87pblkTmcKMpAdUlOiFBNgpzlZJNahqKRQqk0qtB5CN-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colorado Department of Transportation described multiple Region 5 highway and safety projects during a telephone town hall, citing secured grant funding and planned construction work across Southwest Colorado.

Julie Constant, CDOT regional transportation director for Region 5, told listeners the agency was recently awarded a $59,000,000 grant for improvements on Highway 160 east of Durango. She also described a Pagosa Springs project that will replace asphalt with a new concrete surface through the downtown business district and will upgrade subsurface utilities in partnership with the town and local utilities.

\"This project will replace the current asphalt roadway with new concrete road surface through the Pagosa Springs downtown business district,\" Constant said, adding the work includes flashing pedestrian signs, pedestrian refuge islands, ADA‑compliant sidewalks and ramps, and wildlife fencing and three wildlife underpasses east of Fort Garland.

On the Durango–Silverton corridor, Constant outlined rockfall mitigation work on US 550 near Deer Creek and crib wall replacement near Coalbank Pass. For Wolf Creek Pass, CDOT plans asphalt repaving from Treasure Falls to the summit, new centerline rumble strips, inlaid striping, upgraded guardrail and sign work to address longstanding pavement distress.

Commissioner Mark Garcia and Constant noted smaller but significant operational projects as well: CDOT performed a 36‑mile chip seal overlay last summer on two heavily trafficked sections of US 160 to extend pavement life; the region maintains about 3,000 lane miles; and US 491 will receive two chain‑up and two chain‑down stations and electronic signs to support winter chain law compliance.

Wildlife collisions were a frequent caller concern during the town hall; CDOT said it uses wildlife prioritization studies to target fencing and other mitigations. \"CDOT is currently installing additional wildlife fencing near Fort Garland,\" Garcia said. He also referenced the Chimney Rock project, which included an overpass and underpass built with participation from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and other partners.

The region has also completed avalanche‑mitigation upgrades. Constant said five remote‑controlled avalanche mitigation systems were installed on Red Mountain Pass in December 2023 and have supported more than 30 avalanche control missions; region crews also regularly monitor multiple slide paths across several passes each winter.

CDOT staff emphasized the funding challenge: the state gas tax has not risen in three decades, forcing the agency to rely on grants and partnerships for larger projects. \"Being the smallest and least populated region in the state results in Southwest And South Central Colorado receiving the smallest share of the statewide transportation budget,\" Constant said.

The projects described are in different phases of planning and delivery; CDOT encouraged residents to follow up for construction timelines and detour information through regional outlets.","CDOT Region 5 described several funded and planned projects — a $59 million Highway 160 award, Pagosa Springs downtown reconstruction, Wolf Creek Pass repaving, US 550 rockfall mitigation, wildlife fencing and underpasses — and steps to improve safety in rural corridors.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6212113,"CDOT asks Southwest Colorado residents to weigh priorities in statewide transportation plan",3254,245000,3499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a&start=245&end=3499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3685974-2ce7f6eb680b7d5e9ff4da6058d9436a/thumbnail_245000.jpg","/articles/6212113/Colorado/CDOT-asks-Southwest-Colorado-residents-to-weigh-priorities-in-statewide-transportation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6212113-e754639c56a9a917ac70d20879a615a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021604&Signature=KQejcicLHhBFdk2ySyPJPOlm-qigHfapOI3tAeBmXf1qflTCHSG9IHMnS8fFSodfACmmXj~Q66AoCfkcsCkm21YJvs6nUp2TPEwgW7LIwquKQqJjtLQR4S~zun~DER9Ls78Cteb~vW~XSP7Ydnm2B7Yk6hhVPjLQ9WgIEskF98pNChSt5w5UDGyFMIbSxBxZVirZIM9m8nKSj9SzcXA-S5KQMJtzSS86E9xmj6dPjxSHwMelivy~MVcFqi2mO3XQ-Y5VdwjcaLgdPYUYzsBS9kssYCGiu31gJIowjv6hyHGQW-X~92awsnihhattGiGr7KK9N2Jz-Bhm~wfAO4efTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colorado Department of Transportation held a telephone town hall for Region 5 on an ongoing statewide transportation plan, asking residents of Southwest Colorado to weigh in on priorities for limited state transportation dollars.

CDOT Deputy Director Herman Stockinger opened the call by explaining the process and the stakes. \"Every 4 years, CDOT reviews Colorado's transportation needs and creates a plan to guide future investments, and we need your help,\" Stockinger said. He told listeners CDOT's top priorities are to fix roads, advance transportation safety and sustainably increase transportation choice.

The commission and regional staff used live polling during the call to quantify public priorities. \"Of the 3 main priority areas discussed tonight, what do you think CDOT's top priority should be?\" moderator Roger asked attendees; 41% selected advancing transportation safety, 35% chose fixing roads and 24% chose increasing transportation choice.

Regional Transportation Director Julie Constant and Transportation Commissioner Mark Garcia described how CDOT will use feedback. Constant said the town hall is part of a \"citizen informed transportation planning approach\" that will help CDOT \"produce smarter investment priorities based on Colorado's need today.\" Commissioner Garcia, who represents District 8 and said his term is ending this month, urged continued public participation.

Callers raised recurring themes that informed the polling results: potholes and surface damage, bridge conditions, wildlife-vehicle collisions, speeding and lack of multimodal facilities, and gaps in regional transit. Several callers from Durango, Cortez, Mancos and Dolores County pressed for better transit connections, more passing lanes and improved signage in complex speed-zone transitions.

CDOT staff repeatedly clarified jurisdictional responsibilities: Julie Constant noted CDOT maintains U.S. and state highways but not county or municipal roads. \"CDOT only operates and maintains the U.S. and state highways, not county roads or municipal city town roads,\" she said, adding that some state highways running through towns are maintained by CDOT.

The agency encouraged residents to continue providing input via the online survey at yourtransportationplan.com and by leaving voice comments if they could not speak during the call. \"We want your feedback on CDOT's priorities and how best to distribute our limited resources,\" Stockinger said.

The town hall combined the live polling, a moderated Q&A with region staff and summaries of ongoing projects, and officials said the feedback will feed into CDOT's 4‑year planning cycle.","CDOT held a Region 5 telephone town hall to gather public input on statewide priorities — fixing roads, safety and increasing transportation choices — and polled attendees, who ranked advancing transportation safety first.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Southwest Colorado callers press CDOT on transit gaps; agency cites planned Pagosa–Durango route and local partnerships

CDOT outlines Region 5 projects: $59M for US‑160, Pagosa downtown rebuild, Wolf Creek repaving and wildlife mitigation

CDOT asks Southwest Colorado residents to weigh priorities in statewide transportation plan