July 20, 2017

Senator Senator Cory Gardner Representative Representative Representative Diana DeGette Representative Representative Representative Representative

RE: Assistance with ’s I-25 Gap Improvement Project

Dear members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation:

The I-25 Gap Coalition, and the hundreds of thousands of constituents we represent, are seeking your support and assistance in securing funding for improvements to a 20-mile deficient section of Interstate 25 between Denver and Colorado Springs. This section of I-25, known as the I-25 Gap, remains largely the same as when it was originally constructed in the early 1960’s.

While Denver and Colorado Springs, the two largest cities in Colorado, have experienced record growth in recent years, the highway capacity through the Gap is restricted to just two through lanes in each direction and has several substandard interchanges. This results in congestion, unpredictable travel times and a higher number of traffic accidents than experienced on similar stretches of highways in Colorado. Frequently, incidents shut down sections of I-25 causing backups and delays that can last for several hours. The I-25 Gap has reached gridlock and is constraining commerce and travel throughout the region.

The I-25 corridor is critical to the economic health of the state and the region, and we need your help to modernize and increase its capacity, reliability, and safety.

I-25 is the only north-south interstate highway in Colorado. As such, it serves a variety of users and plays a crucial role in the transport of people, goods, and services along Colorado's Front Range and beyond. Specifically, I-25: . Provides access between Denver and several major military installations located in Colorado Springs (i.e. United States Air Force Academy, Shriever and Peterson Air Force bases, Fort Carson Army base, NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain Air Station) and accommodates the movement of troops and equipment. . Carries tens-of-thousands of daily commuters to and from employment centers. . Moves freight along the state’s Front Range, where more than 4.5 million Coloradans live which accounts for 84% of the state’s growing population. . Is part of the larger I-25 freight pipeline that moves goods north-south between Mexico and Canada, and connects to I-70 and I-80 to move goods east-west to neighboring states and coastal ports. . Allows tourists access to numerous recreational opportunities, state and national parks, historical sites, and other visitor destinations along the corridor. Tourism in 2015 alone supported 160,000 workers who earn approximately $5.5 billion annually.

I-25 Gap Coalition ● c/o Douglas County ● 100 Third Street ● Castle Rock, CO 80104 ● www.I25GapCoalition.com

Colorado Congressional Delegation Assistance with Colorado’s I-25 Gap Improvement Project July 20, 2017 Page 2

To serve these users, local communities and economic development agencies formed the “I-25 Gap Coalition” to work together, and with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to identify various and creative sources of funding. These sources may include pursuing public-private partnerships, securing funding from state and local governments, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans, grants and the use of managed toll lanes. CDOT has also accelerated environmental studies to ensure the project is ready to break ground in December 2019, contingent upon funding.

However, with a price tag of $400-600 million, the project is beyond the funding capacity of our state and local governments, and we need your help securing additional federal funds for the I-25 Gap improvements. As President Trump’s administration and congressional committees prepare the next infrastructure package, we respectfully request that the I-25 Gap be included as a priority in any list of projects to be funded.

Presently, the I-25 Gap fails to provide reliable transportation and is in need of reconstruction, widening, and implementation of emerging technologies to improve safety, traffic operations and incident management. It is paramount that we act promptly to petition for federal funding assistance to resolve this major transportation deficiency. In the very near future, the Coalition’s co-chairs will contact you to discuss how we can work together with CDOT and FHWA to address this literal roadblock to Colorado’s future economic success. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please visit our website at www.I25GapCoalition.com or contact one of us directly.

Sincerely,

Roger Partridge, Coalition Co-Chair Mark Waller, Coalition Co-Chair Douglas County Commissioner El Paso County Commissioner

John Suthers Jennifer Green Mayor, City of Colorado Springs Mayor, Town of Castle Rock

Frank Gray, President & CEO Pam Ridler Castle Rock Economic Development Council Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce

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Colorado Congressional Delegation Assistance with Colorado’s I-25 Gap Improvement Project July 20, 2017 Page 3

Dirk Draper, President & CEO Steve Klausing, Executive Vice President Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce South Denver Economic Development and Economic Development Corporation Partnership

Nancy Sharpe Jeffrey Kaiser Arapahoe County Commissioner Mayor, Town of Monument

Gerry Been Jackie Millet Mayor, Town of Larkspur Mayor, City of Lone Tree

Cathy Noon Ron Rakowsky Mayor, City of Centennial Mayor, City of Greenwood Village

Terri Hayes, President & CEO Amy Sherman Tri Lakes Chamber of Commerce Douglas County Business Alliance

cc: Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation Rocky Scott, Colorado Transportation Commissioner Luella Chavez D’Angelo, Colorado Transportation Commissioner Shailen Bhatt, Colorado Department of Transportation Mike Lewis, Colorado Department of Transportation Josh Laipply, Colorado Department of Transportation Paul Jesaitis, Colorado Department of Transportation Herman Stockinger, Colorado Department of Transportation John Cater, Federal Highway Administration-Colorado Shaun Cutting, Federal Highway Administration-Colorado Emeka Ezekwemba, Federal Highway Administration-Colorado

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