SB15-179: U.S. Highway 50 Economic Benefits Study

• Requires the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to conduct a study of economic benefits provided by U.S. Highway 50 between the Kansas border and its intersection with U.S. Highway 285 near Salida

• CDOT must consult with transportation planning and economic development entities including Pueblo County Department of Economic Development, Southern Colorado Economic Development District, and relevant engineering and transportation planning regions, but CDOT itself must conduct the safety improvements analysis using existing resources

• CDOT must study how various potential safety improvements would increase highway efficiency, capacity, usage, and thereby increase economic activity and benefits

• Requires CDOT to compile research results into a single report by December 1, 2015, publish it on the CDOT website, and provide copies to legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation

• No additional state appropriations are needed as the study can be implemented within existing CDOT financial and staff resources