Voters in El Paso County have approved Issue 7A, which is an extension of a sales tax.
The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, or PPRTA, is a collaborative effort between Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Ramah, Calhan and unincorporated El Paso County. It utilizes a one-cent sales tax to fund transportation projects in the region.
All possible projects funded by the tax must be included in writing on the ballot to receive PPRTA tax money, and the portion of the tax used for large capital projects must be renewed every ten years.
Fifty-five percent of revenues pay for one-time capital projects; 35 percent of the funds go toward maintenance projects; and the remaining 10 percent is put toward transit. Voters initially approved the tax in 2004, and extended it in 2014.
The ballot measure that was under consideration November will extend the capital projects tax through 2034.
Just after 9:00 p.m., Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers issued a statement thanking voters for passing the measure, calling it one of his top priorities. "Without this vital sales tax," he said, "we simply could not afford to pay for the very expensive and critical transportation projects that expand our traffic capacities and reduce congestion."
Suthers said the passage will ensure "transportation infrastructure will be able to grow to meet the needs of our citizens."
