January 29th, 2004                                                                                              60LCR#3 FasTracks

 

Sponsored by:                                        Eugene Pearson                                                2nd Vice President

                                                            Joseph Kaiser                                       Engineering Senator

 

Authored by:                                         Eugene Pearson                                                2nd Vice President

 

A Bill

Resolution History

 

The Denver region is one of the fastest growing regions in the United States.  By 2025, it is projected that there will be 3.5 million Coloradans living in the Denver metro region.  This represents a 45% increase in population growth.  (Ibid)  As the 4th fastest growing state in the nation (US Census Bureau), Colorado will face many of the same problems that other rapidly growing states have faced and continue to face.  The FasTracks proposal is a plan which attends to many quality of life, growth and sustainability, business expansion, and health issues.  This proposal aims to expand the RTD light-rail, commuter rail, and redeployment of an expanded bus network throughout the region thereby promoting more condensed growth, a lower level of air pollution, and greater opportunity to graduates of the University of Colorado at Boulder and the citizenry of the Great State of Colorado.

Resolution Summary

 

Whereas, traffic congestion caused 67 million hours of delay in 2000 - Ibid;

 

Whereas, Traffic congestion costs the Denver Metro Region’s economy $1.2 billion each year in lost time, productivity, and wasted fuel – Texas Transportation Institute;

 

Whereas, Urban sprawl land usage in the Denver Metro Region is two to three times greater per person than other urban centers – US Census and Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG);

 

Whereas, Colorado is the fourth fastest growing state in the nation – US Census Bureau;

 

Whereas, A mass transit system in the Denver metro region could save more than 253 square miles of open space by 2020 – DRCOG;

 

Whereas, During the summer of 2003 the Denver metro region violated ozone standards 33 times.  Children who play outdoors and are exposed to ozone are more likely to develop asthma  – Ibid and EPA;

 

Whereas, The percentages of pollutants attributed to mobile sources are 73% for carbon monoxide, 49% for particulates (the brown cloud), and 40% for nitrogen oxide – Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment;

 

Whereas, Levels of ozone and particulate pollution are directly linked to respiratory illness and heart disease – American Lung Association;

 

Whereas, In Colorado more than 56,000 children suffer form asthma – American Lung Association;

 

Whereas, According to the National Governor’s Association, “The effects of growth on quality of life jeopardize future growth.  Companies deciding where to expand or relocate… are sensitive to unchecked sprawl, environmental issues, and loss of quality of place;”

 

Whereas, “In Dallas, within five years of opening the $860 million light rail line, over $1 billion in direct private business development had been invested near train stations” – Light Rail in Tucson: Economic Development Benefits;

 

Whereas, By 2010 the Metrorail system in Washington D.C. will generate $2.1 billion in additional revenues for the state of Virginia – Northern Virginia Transportation Commission;

 

Whereas, There is $900 million in projected economic development at Union Station if it was utilized as light rail hub – Rocky Mountain News;

 

Whereas, In the Denver region, there are nearly 50,000 households that do not own a car – US Census Bureau;

 

Whereas, Many University of Colorado at Boulder Students are among those who do not own vehicles thereby limiting their accessibility to jobs, internships, and housing;

 

Whereas, Students currently enrolled at the University of Colorado will be tomorrow’s homeowners, business owners, and labor force;

 

Whereas, Members of the Student Union will one day give, or have already given, birth to children;

 

Whereas, The UCSU maintains a commitment to clean air so that those with respiratory disease and those in danger of developing respiratory illness can live more safely;

 

Whereas, Light rail usage along the C and D lines, which service the Auraria campus, are between 25 – 33% higher when classes are in session - RTD;

 

Whereas, Students have been shown to heavily utilize current light rail systems;

 

Whereas, The proposed light-rail station in Boulder will be well connected via a re-deployed RTD bus network;

 

Whereas, The FasTracks plan has been endorsed by numerous local and regional governments, businesses and business associations, and other groups.

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT,

 

Section 1:  The UCSU is in support of the proposed FasTracks plan.

 

Section 2:  The UCSU continues to support expanded mass transit options for its members as demand for parking continues to grow.

 

Section 3:  The UCSU desires that the FasTracks plan adequately address the needs of the University of Colorado at Boulder by providing exemplary service to proposed rail lines.

 

1-29-04                                                             Passed                                                              12-3-0

2-12-04                                                             Passed                                                              12-2-0