1. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that it is necessary, appropriate, and in the best interest of the state to use a portion of the general fund money that is dedicated for transportation purposes pursuant to section 24-75-219 to fund multimodal transportation projects and operations throughout the state and to use a portion of the money that is generated by the retail delivery fee imposed on the delivery of retail goods transported to the delivery site by motor vehicle pursuant to section 43-4-218 (3) to fund transportation-related greenhouse gas mitigation expenses throughout the state as authorized by this part 11 because, in addition to the general benefits that it provides to all Coloradans, a complete and integrated multimodal transportation system that includes greenhouse gas mitigation projects and services:

   1. (a) Benefits seniors by making aging in place more feasible for them;
   2. (b) Benefits residents of communities, in rural and disproportionately impacted communities, by providing them with more accessible and flexible public transportation services;
   3. (c) Provides enhanced mobility for persons with disabilities;
   4. (d) Provides safe routes to schools for children; and
   5. (e) Reduces emissions of air pollutants, including hazardous air pollutants and greenhouse gases, that contribute to adverse environmental effects, including but not limited to climate change, and adverse human health effects.

Source: L. 2018: Entire part added, (SB 18-001), ch. 353, p. 2106, § 12, effective May 31. L. 2021: Entire section amended, (SB 21-260), ch. 250, p. 1448, § 49, effective June 17.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 21-260, see section 1 of chapter 250, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.