Coalition Requesting Colorado Contractors Withdraw Proposed Initiative 175 Grows To 57 Organizations

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May 26, 2026

Contact: Serena Woods

[email protected]

Coalition Opposing Proposed Initiative 175 grows to 57 Organizations

Hospitals, business groups, higher education institutions, K-12 education advocates, conservation advocates, public transit organizations, local governments, and labor organizations are asking proponents to withdraw Initiative 175

Denver, CO – Today, Keep Kids First Colorado released a letter, now signed by nearly 60 organizations, asking the “Restore our Roads” coalition to withdraw Initiative 175. Proposed Initiative 175 earmarks funding for construction without new revenue, resulting in diverting millions of dollars from Colorado’s general fund and the critical services it funds. If Initiative 175 were to qualify for the ballot and pass, balancing the budget without major cuts to Medicaid, K-12 education, and higher education would be impossible. These three programs constitute approximately 70% of the state’s general fund budget

In April, Keep Kids First Colorado released a poll showing that when Colorado voters know the consequences of Initiative 175, only 34% support it.

The following organizations signed the letter opposing Initiative 175 (listed in alphabetical order):

1. 350 Colorado
2. AAA-the Auto Club Group
3. Alliance Colorado
4. Alpine Homecare, LLC
5. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001
6. The Bell Policy Center
7. Bicycle Colorado
8. Bike Colorado Springs
9. Bike Walk Golden
10. Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections
11. Centennial State Prosperity
12. Children’s Hospital Colorado
13. Cheyenne Village
14. Clare Levy, Boulder County Commissioner
15. Coalition 4 Cyclists
16. Cobalt
17. Colorado Association for Medical Equipment Services
18. Colorado Association of Ski Towns
19. Colorado Center on Law & Policy
20. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
21. Colorado Education Association
22. Colorado Fiscal Institute
23. Colorado Hospital Association
24. Colorado Nurses Association
25. Colorado Rail Passenger Association
26. Colorado State University System
27. Colorado WINS
28. Community Cycles
29. Commuting Solutions
30. Conservation Colorado
31. Counties & Commissioners Acting Together
32. Craig Chamber of Commerce
33. The Denver Foundation
34. Denver Health & Hospital Authority
35. Denver Streets Partnership
36. Drive Clean Colorado
37. Eleos Services
38. Greater Denver Transit
39. GreenLatinos
40. Henry Sobanet
41. Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado
42. MADD Colorado (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
43. MEAPTA
44. Mountain Mamas
45. Natural Resources Defense Council
46. Northeast Transportation Connections
47. Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou Springs
48. People Centered Colorado Springs
49. PikeRide, Inc.
50. Rangely Hospital District
51. Routt County
52. Sierra Club Colorado
53. Total Care Connections, Inc
54. Vibrant Englewood
55. West Line Corridor Collaborative
56. Western Resource Advocates
57. Womxn From The Mountain

In response to the measure, the legislature passed HB26-1430, which has provisions to offset some of the harms of proposed Initiative 175 if it were to qualify for the ballot, meet the 55% vote threshold required of constitutional amendments in November, and become law. HB26-1430 also established a process where if the proponents withdraw proposed Initiative 175 by June 15, the state would create a Transportation Improvement Advisory Working Group. This working group would provide an appropriate opportunity to find solutions to investing in transportation without drastic consequences to the Colorado state budget.

Proposed Initiative 175 is backed by corporations that stand to benefit financially from more highway construction, and proponents submitted signatures to the Secretary of State for review to qualify for the ballot.

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