Legislation of cost-saving strategies likely to draw fire from Colorado lawmakers - The Denver Post

Legislation of cost-saving strategies likely to draw fire from Colorado lawmakers - The Denver Post

A bipartisan pair of term-limited lawmakers are trying to leave behind a cost-saving strategy to spare future legislatures some of the budget pain they've experienced.

But the ideas — which could affect road funding along the Front Range and colleges and prisons across the state — are likely to draw fire from lawmakers trying to protect their districts and from local communities caught in the crossfire.

House Majority Leader Paul Weiss mann, D-Louisville, and Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, are crafting the plan.

May said the ideas might not get off the ground this year but could be conversation starters.

Items being discussed include:

• Turning state-maintained roads that are essentially local thoroughfares over to the communities.

• Determining the best use for the state's correctional facilities and whether some should close.

• Asking communities to help financially support the colleges in their towns.

• Trying to eliminate duplication in college programs across the state and possibly consolidating some governing boards.

The idea to turn state roads over to cities and towns came from Rep. Glenn Vaad, R-Mead, who worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation.