SB22-180 Summary

• Creates the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program administered by the Colorado Energy Office to provide free public transit during ozone season (June 1 - August 31) to reduce ground-level ozone pollution and vehicle emissions along Colorado's front range.

• Establishes $28 million in funding transferred from the General Fund to the new Ozone Season Transit Grant Program Fund, with grants of up to $3 million annually to transit associations and up to $11 million annually to the Regional Transportation District.

• Requires eligible transit agencies receiving grants through transit associations to provide free transit services for a minimum of 30 days during ozone season and submit annual reports on ridership changes and program implementation by December 1.

• Transfers $30 million to the State Highway Fund for the Transit and Rail Division to establish a pilot project extending state-run transit systems through June 30, 2025, with the goal of increasing ridership and reducing vehicle miles traveled.

• Transfers $10 million to the State Highway Fund for the Revitalizing Main Streets Program with priority given to programs that improve air quality through increased transit use, and allows contracted commercial driver's license testers to address transit driver shortages.

• The program and related transit pilot project sunset on July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2026 respectively.