Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

May 26, 2026

Contact: Serena Woods

serena@woods-strategies.com

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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The post Coalition Requesting Colorado Contractors Withdraw Proposed Initiative 175 Grows To 57 Organizations appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Contact: Serena Woods

serena@woods-strategies.com

Initiative 175 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing – public opinion tanks when Coloradans understand the impact to Colorado’s kids, schools, and the most vulnerable

Initiative 175 would divert $540 million from K-12 education, Medicaid, and higher education

Denver, CO – Today, Keep Kids First Colorado released a new poll showing that when Colorado voters know the consequences of Initiative 175, only 34% support it.

Proposed Initiative 175 earmarks funding for highway construction without new revenue, diverting $540 million dollars from Colorado’s general fund and the critical services it funds. The measure would also sweep hundreds of millions of other dollars from critical cash funds, which would likely require backfilling from the general fund. The non-partisan legislative council staff estimates the measure could cause $1-2 billion in impact to the state budget.

Global Strategy Group conducted the poll from April 16-21, 2026, and surveyed 800 likely 2026 voters in Colorado, 400 of whom were asked about Initiative 175. When initially asked about Initiative 175, 60% of Colorado voters said they would vote yes, though support is very soft, with just 17% saying they would definitely vote yes. After understanding that the money to fund highway improvements would come from Medicaid, K-12 education, and higher education, support drops drastically to 34%. In order for this constitutional amendment to become law, more than 55% of Colorado voters would need to vote yes.

“Support for the measure starts off just barely clearing the 55% threshold and is very soft. More importantly, after a single message in opposition, support collapses, meaning that this measure would have a difficult road to passage,” said Andrew Baumann, partner at Global Strategy Group.

The initiative is backed by corporations that stand to benefit financially from more highway construction. According to campaign finance filings, the Colorado Contractors Association and the Colorado Construction Industry Coalition are funding Initiative 175.

• The Colorado Construction Industry Coalition (CIC) members are:
• The Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association
• Colorado Contractors Association
• Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association
• Colorado Stone
• Sand & Gravel Association and
• Portland Cement Association – Rocky Mountain Region

The Colorado Contractors Association board of directors is made up of representatives from:

• United Companies
• Chato’s Concrete, LLC
• American West Construction, LLC
• Harper Brothers Construction
• Spencer Fane LLP
• Castle Rock Construction Co. of Colo, LLC
• Commercial Credit Group, Inc.
• Kraemer North America, LLC
• Flatiron Constructors, Inc.
• Kiewit Infrastructure Co.
• Arch Insurance
• Lobato Construction, LLC
• Brannan Companies
• Native Excavating, Inc.
• Holmes Murphy & Associates and Loveland Barricade, LLC

Initiative 175 is currently collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot. 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.

More than 40 organizations and 46 legislators have asked the “Restore our Roads” coalition to withdraw Initiative 175 because of its drastic impact on Colorado’s budget.

More information about Initiative 175 can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

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The post Public Opinion For Initiative 175 Tanks According to Keep Kids First Colorado appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

April 15, 2026

Contact: Serena Woods

serena@woods-strategies.com

Broad Coalition Releases Letter Asking Colorado Contractors to Withdraw Proposed Initiative 175, a $539 million cut from Medicaid, Higher Ed, and K-12 Education

K-12 education advocates, higher education institutions, conservation advocates, public transit organizations, hospitals, labor organizations, and health care advocates among groups opposing Initiative 175

Denver, CO – Today, Keep Kids First Colorado released a letter signed by more than 40 organizations asking the “Restore our Roads” coalition to withdraw Initiative 175. Proposed Initiative 175 earmarks funding for construction without new revenue, resulting in diverting $539 million dollars from Colorado’s general fund and the critical services it funds. The measure would also sweep hundreds of millions of other dollars from critical cash funds, which would likely require additional backfilling from the general fund. The non-partisan legislative council staff estimates the measure could cause $1-2 billion in impact on the state budget.

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.

The initiative is backed by corporations that stand to benefit financially from more highway construction.

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

1. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001
2. The Bell Policy Center
3. Bicycle Colorado
4. Bike Colorado Springs
5. Boulder Chamber
6. Transportation Connections
7. Boulder County
8. Centennial State Prosperity
9. Children’s Hospital Colorado
10. Coalition 4 Cyclists
11. Cobalt
12. Colorado Center on Law & Policy
13. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
14. Colorado Education Association
15. Colorado Fiscal Institute
16. Colorado Hospital Association
17. Colorado Rail Passenger Association
18. Colorado State University System
19. Colorado WINS
20. Community Cycles
21. Commuting Solutions
22. Conservation Colorado
23. Counties & Commissioners Acting Together
24. Craig Chamber of Commerce
25. Denver Health & Hospital Authority
26. Denver Streets Partnership
27. Greater Denver Transit
28. GreenLatinos
29. Henry Sobanet
30. Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado
31. MEAPTA
32. Mountain Mamas
33. Northeast Transportation Connections
34. Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou Springs
35. People Centered Colorado Springs
36. PikeRide, Inc.
37. Rangely Hospital District
38. Routt County
39. Sierra Club Colorado
40. Total Care Connections, Inc
41. Vibrant Englewood
42. West Line Corridor Collaborative
43. Western Resource Advocates

Initiative 175 is currently collecting signatures to qualify for the ballot. Information about the initiative can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

April 14, 2026

Dear Colorado Contractors Association and Restore Our Roads,

Coloradans can all agree we are sick of deteriorating roads, endless traffic jams, and crumbling bridges. But the consequences of the “Restore Our Roads” initiative are dire, and we respectfully request that you withdraw Initiative 175 from the ballot.

Initiative 175 is a promise to improve Colorado’s roads without raising taxes. The problem is, the measure takes existing sales tax revenue without adding new dollars to the General Fund, diverting funds from important programs that need continued funding, forcing the general assembly to cut other programs in order to free up additional general fund. Should Initiative 175 pass, balancing the budget without major reductions to Medicaid, K-12 education, and higher education would be impossible. Together, these three areas represent nearly 71 percent of the state’s General Fund. According to the nonpartisan Colorado Legislative Council, the measure would also divert $155.8 million from transit-related cash funds and special accounts, and potentially $257.9 million from transportation enterprise fees. This exacerbates pressure on the general fund further.

This measure is being proposed to Colorado voters at a time when Colorado lawmakers are already confronting serious budget challenges. This year, lawmakers are having to make substantial cuts to balance the state budget, and future budget cuts aren’t going away any time soon. The Joint Budget Committee projects a $1 billion shortfall for the 2027–28 budget year.

Health care services would likely be among the most affected. Approximately 20 percent of Coloradans rely on Medicaid for their health coverage. Because Medicaid accounts for nearly one-third of the General Fund, any significant reduction in available revenue would lead to cuts, disproportionately impacting seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities.

K-12 education funding would also be at risk. In 2024, Colorado lawmakers implemented a new school finance formula designed to distribute resources more equitably, particularly for at-risk students and smaller rural districts. The formula is more student-centered, but Proposition 175 threatens this new funding for at-risk and rural students and puts Colorado’s ability to meet constitutional education funding requirements out of reach.

Higher education would also face steep cuts. Colorado already ranks among the lowest states in the nation for higher education funding. Initiative 175 would secure our spot at the bottom. Students at Colorado universities, community colleges, and technical colleges will face higher tuition costs due to Initiative 175.

Initiative 175 decimates Medicaid, K-12, and education funding by design. Colorado absolutelyneeds thoughtful solutions to address transportation challenges. However, steep cuts to healthcare, education, and other essential services are not the answer.

The measure also rewrites the book on transportation funding, sweeping enterprises, defunding important grants, and redefining how transportation dollars would work. This creates further challenges in the budget when we are forced to find additional revenue to backfill these programs.

Please reconsider this proposal and withdraw Initiative 175. Colorado would be better served by a plan that strengthens Colorado’s transportation system without undermining critical services that support children, families, and seniors across the state.

Sincerely,

• Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001
• The Bell Policy Center
• Bicycle Colorado
• Bike Colorado Springs
• Boulder Chamber
• Transportation Connections
• Boulder County
• Centennial State Prosperity
• Children’s Hospital Colorado
• Coalition 4 Cyclists
• Cobalt
• Colorado Center on Law & Policy
• Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
• Colorado Education Association
• Colorado Fiscal Institute
• Colorado Hospital Association
• Colorado Rail Passenger Association
• Colorado State University System
• Colorado WINS
• Community Cycles
• Commuting Solutions
• Conservation Colorado
• Counties & Commissioners Acting Together
• Craig Chamber of Commerce
• Denver Health & Hospital Authority
• Denver Streets Partnership
• Greater Denver Transit
• GreenLatinos
• Henry Sobanet
• Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado
• MEAPTA
• Mountain Mamas
• Northeast Transportation Connections
• Pedestrian and Cycle Manitou Springs
• People Centered Colorado Springs
• PikeRide, Inc.
• Rangely Hospital District
• Routt County
• Sierra Club Colorado
• Total Care Connections, Inc
• Vibrant Englewood
• West Line Corridor Collaborative
• Western Resource Advocates

CC:

• Governor Jared Polis
• Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie
• House Minority Leader Jarvis Caldwell
• President of the Senate James Coleman
• Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson
• JBC Chair Emily Sirota
• JBC Vice-Chair Jeff Bridges
• JBC Member Judy Amabile
• JBC Member Barbara Kirkmeyer
• JBC Member Kyle Brown
• JBC Member Rick Taggart

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The post Broad Coalition Ask Colorado Contractors to Withdraw Proposed Initiative 175 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2025

Colorado Springs, CO – Governors engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with Secretary McMahon on Department of Education priorities, federal-state partnership, K-12 funding, apprenticeship programs and more.

“We have to rethink how we’re doing education,” said Secretary McMahon. “We are looking at all of the different aspects that can get students a productive educational environment, to get them into the workforce.  From beginning to end, the goal is to get people into a productive job to support their family and to be part of the community and the citizenry of the country.”

Just prior to the session, Secretary McMahon announced that the Trump administration plans to release more than $5 billion in previously appropriated education funds. Governor Polis and NGA Vice Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt released the following statement:

“Clarity in funding distribution is essential for states to function. If money is appropriated and states and territories have made plans, it’s essential it’s distributed. We are thankful these bipartisan discussions with Secretary McMahon and other key officials during the NGA Summer Meeting led to the distribution of these education funds.

“This action ensures schools across the nation can maintain essential programs for English language learners, teacher training, and student enrichment as the new academic year begins. Governors from both parties stand united in prioritizing our children’s education, and we’re proud our advocacy helped secure this vital support for states and districts.”

Earlier this week, Governor Polis released a Roadmap for Governors based on his initiative, Let’s Get Ready! Educating All Americans for Success. The Roadmap is designed to support Governors and states to drive innovation, bolster capacity to measure what works and what doesn’t, and prepare students for successful futures and the economy for greater success. Governor Polis collaborated throughout the year with educators, parents and families, students, researchers, and community and business leaders to address challenges like workforce shortages, skills mismatch and widening opportunity gaps that limit true economic mobility for Americans.

Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the bipartisan organization of the nation’s 55 Governors.

Through NGA, Governors share best practices, address issues of national and state interest and share innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism.

The post Secretary McMahon Meets with Governors to Discuss “Let’s Get Ready!” Initiative appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Leadership Fellows Boulder County cohort!

Take your leadership skills to the next level with Leadership Fellows Boulder County, a program co-led by the Boulder Chamber and Community Foundation Boulder County. Each year, we bring together 25-30 leaders from various industries to learn, connect, and make a real impact in our community.

Designed to foster inclusive, transformational leadership, the program provides Fellows with a comprehensive understanding of the key topics, challenges, and solutions critical to the success of our communities.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Inclusive Leadership
• Board Governance
• Arts & Culture
• K-12 Education
• Economic Vitality
• Health & Housing
• Environment & Transportation
• Local Government

Leadership Fellows Boulder County is a nine-month program that runs from January to September 2025. Fellows meet on the third Tuesday afternoon of every month. Graduates are encouraged to leverage their new skills and knowledge to pursue leadership roles within Boulder County and beyond.

Program tuition is $1,500, scholarships are available, and financial aid for childcare and transportation is available on an as-needed basis.

Don’t miss your chance to join next year’s cohort! The application window for the 2025 Leadership Fellows program closes on September 30.

More Information

Apply Today

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