Support for the toll road is strongest in the North Front Range counties of Larimer and Weld (79%) with support above 60 percent in the metro area counties (68%) and the South Front Range counties (67%) of El Paso and Pueblo.

North Front Range:  Larimer, Weld
Metro Area:  Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert and Jefferson
South Front Range:  El Paso and Pueblo

Initially, only 44 percent of voters had a great deal or some information concerning the toll road.  Among more informed voters, 59 percent support the toll road in the first test question and 70 percent in the follow-up test.

Congestion is Increasing
Most voters (86%) believe the I-25 corridor from Fort Collins down to Pueblo has become more congested the last five years versus those who believe it has stayed the same (7%) or become less congested (2%).  North Front Range voters are the most likely to believe congestion has increased.

Question: In general, during the last five years has vehicle traffic along the I-25 corridor from the Fort Collins area down to Pueblo become more congested, stayed about the same or become less congested?

Many Potential Toll Road Users
Nearly half (48%) of Front Range voters said they would consider using the high-speed toll road for their non-business driving.  More than half (53%) of voters who drive for business purposes would consider using the road.  Potential toll road users are very supportive of building the road (non-business – 89% support; business – 86% support).

Question: Would you consider or not consider using the high-speed toll road for your non-business-related travel?

Question: If you regularly or periodically travel along the I-25 corridor for your business, would you consider or not consider using the high-speed toll road for your business-related travel?

Ciruli Associates, N505, 2005

Voters Agree Toll Road Improves Safety and Congestion
Voters strongly agree that improved traffic flow and safety are critical benefits of the toll road proposal.  Also, voters agree that reducing traffic delays and improving safety by shifting rail to the new corridor is a positive aspect of the toll road.  When asked four questions about safety and traffic flow, more than two-thirds of Front Range voters agreed that the high-speed toll road 25 miles east of I-25 would improve highway and rail safety for the public, improve traffic flow and reduce delays.

Question:  Next, as I read the list of statements about the high-speed toll road legislation, please tell me, as of today, if you strongly agree with the statement, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the statement.  [ROTATED]

• •     Reducing truck traffic on I-25 by shifting some of it to the new high-speed toll road would reduce accidents and improve safety for all drivers.
• Shifting coal trains and trains with hazardous material to rails along the new high-speed toll road and out of the cities along I-25 would reduce accidents at crossings and increase safety for the public.
• Reducing truck traffic on I-25 by shifting some of it to the new high-speed toll road would improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for all drivers.
• Moving most train traffic out of the Denver metro area and other cities along I-25 and putting it on rails near the new high-speed toll road would reduce traffic delays.
  

Open Space and Restricted Access is Popular
Environmental protections are considered key positive aspects of the toll road proposal.  More than 70 percent of voters along the Front Range support the environmental and land use controls in the proposal.  Maintaining open space and limiting access is considered one of the best ideas (86% good idea) of the toll road, along with allowing local land use laws to control any development around the toll road (72% good idea)

Question: As I read the following aspects of the high-speed toll road, please tell me if it is a good or bad idea.  [ROTATED]

• Building and operating the high-speed toll road would be done with private funding.  No public tax dollars or subsidies would be involved.
• The high-speed toll road would limit on and off interchanges to reduce sprawl.  Limited areas within the corridor will be allowed to provide services, such as fuel, food and lodging.  But open space would be maintained to preserve the plains, grasslands and mountain views.
• The high-speed toll road will be able to use eminent domain to acquire property after paying just compensation at the fair market rate and following due process of law.
• The level of tolls will be approved by a government authority and not by the private toll road company.
• The private toll road company would contract with the state patrol to enforce traffic rules.
• Local county land use laws would apply to building the toll road, interchanges and on land next to it.
• Building and operating the toll road will employ 15,000 construction workers and several hundred permanent full-time employees

Also, voters are highly pleased the high-speed toll road would be privately funded with no tax dollars being spent (82% good idea).  While voters like the private funding proposed to build the toll road, having a state regulation of the toll charges (67% good idea) and state patrol enforcement of traffic laws (81% good idea) also are popular ideas.  Eminent domain is considered a good idea by 48 percent of voters and 39 percent believe it is a bad idea.

Jobs and Economic Development Supported
Colorado voters consider the toll road linking rail, highway and airports a strong economic benefit.  Two-thirds agree (66%) that the connection will “assist national and international business activity in Colorado.”  Also, voters believe the project’s 15,000 construction jobs and several hundred permanent full-time jobs are a good idea (89%).

 . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Survey was conducted by Ciruli Associates in Denver with Front Range voters for the Front Range Toll Road Co. Inc.

• March 14-17, 2005, sample size 505 active registered voters, ±4.4 percentage points
• Counties in the study:  Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo and Weld
• Ciruli Associates is a non-partisan research, communication and public policy firm providing consulting for Colorado and national organizations since 1976.

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