The following Guest Column opinion piece is from Michelle Stewart, the Executive Director of the Western Resilience Center.
Western Resilience Center Endorses Yampa Valley RTA Ballot Question
With the November 4 election approaching, Western Resilience Center (formerly Yampa Valley Sustainability Council) urges residents to vote YES on the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) ballot question. This initiative will deliver lasting benefits to our residents, our environment, and our regional economy.
The Yampa Valley RTA is a collaborative, community-based transportation planning network between Routt County, Steamboat Springs, Craig, Hayden, Oak Creek and Yampa. Once approved by voters, the RTA will have the authority to plan, finance, implement, and operate a regional transportation system within its district. The system may include expanded bus service as well as bicycle, pedestrian, roadway and other transportation improvements.
Every day, thousands of local residents travel long distances to work, school, medical appointments, recreation and more. According to the Colorado State Patrol, more than 5700 people commute daily from Craig to Steamboat Springs alone. Over the past four years, the State Patrol has also responded to more than 400 crashes on Highway 40. Approving the RTA will pave the way for more frequent, reliable and affordable transit options–reducing congestion while connecting communities and improving safety.
The 2023 Routt County Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory highlights the transportation sector as the second largest source of GHG emissions at 37% of total Routt County emissions, or 249,126 metric tons. This was a 32% increase in transportation emissions over the 2018 data, and of note, was driven by a 26% increase in Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). VMT refers to the emissions generated by driving cars and trucks. This growth reflects the increasing transportation needs of commuters and the limited alternative transportation options for commuters within and between our communities. The Yampa Valley RTA will provide convenient, accessible, low-emission transit alternatives that reduce car dependence and help meet our regional climate goals.
Forming the Yampa Valley RTA has long-term economic benefits. A study of the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority–which serves communities between Rifle and Aspen–found that the system generated between $67 million and $88 million in annual economic benefits, saved riders $4.5 million in gasoline costs and reduced average household transportation expenses by more than $1600 per year. RTAs foster collaboration across communities and position regions to access significant state and federal transportation funding. For the Yampa Valley, this is a unique opportunity to plan for the future–looking at park-and-ride facilities, enhanced bus service and connections to passenger rail as it reemerges in the valley.
Building a connected, reliable, convenient and well-utilized regional transportation system is key to building a resilient and thriving Yampa Valley region. Authorizing the formation of the Yampa Valley RTA is an essential first step for building future opportunities. The RTA ballot question is not a taxation or funding question–it simply authorizes the formation of the RTA.
Western Resilience proudly joins local businesses, community leaders, and workers in supporting the formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority.
Vote YES for the Yampa Valley RTA.