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Romer site eyes I-70 gridlock

By Chris Barge, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 22, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Romer says he seeks the first Wikipedia-style bill.

Romer says he seeks the first Wikipedia-style bill.

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Skiers outraged over Sen. Chris Romer's idea to charge people for driving on Interstate 70 during the weekend rush hour now have a place to direct their anger constructively.

Starting Saturday, Romer invites anyone interested in an "authentic dialogue" about easing traffic up to the slopes to visit his new Web page, groups.goo gle.com/group/fixI70now. Interested parties can submit ideas and read those of Romer and hundreds of others.

The Denver Democrat said he will take the best of the ideas and craft them into a bill that he will submit for consideration by the Senate in late March. He is calling it the country's first Wikipedia-style bill.

"I've not made a decision as to what will be in the bill other than the title," which will read "Traffic demand management," he said Thursday at the state Capitol. "My fervent hope is the collective brain of all Colorado is at least as smart as the people in this building."

Romer said he has received about 800 e-mails - 70 percent negative - since his idea for "congestion-based pricing" during the ski rush hour was first reported last month in the Rocky Mountain News.

Three skiers even half-jokingly hit him over the helmet with their ski poles on a Winter Park chairlift after he told them he had come up with the idea. That's why there's a link on his Web site called: "I Hate All of These Ideas, Want to Hit Senator Romer Over the Head With A Ski Pole."

"I'm quite sure over 50 percent of the forum will be about what the 'D' after my name stands for," Romer said, referring to the initial for Democrat. "If I can't handle that, I ought to get out of this business."

Romer favors a pilot program to pay drivers for using the highway off-peak and charge others for joining the ski rush hour. His latest position paper is posted on his Web site, as are forums where people can give their ideas for buses, rail service and other alternatives.

Rep. Rob Witwer, R-Genesee, applauds the idea of collecting the public's thoughts on how to solve a crucial problem.

"I love the idea of soliciting ideas from the public and seeing what we can learn," Witwer said. "Who knows? We might find the silver bullet we've been looking for."

But he said he opposes Romer's idea of charging people to use a highway that they already have paid for. Witwer said he would have to look at whatever legislation comes of Romer's Web site before deciding whether to vote for it.

bargec@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5059

Comments

  • February 22, 2008

    5:52 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    vudumom writes:

    It's so nice to see a politician that is so concerned about his family's time and how important that time is ,that he wants to charge others,so he and his family doesn't have to sit in traffic when going or coming from the mountains.
    Since I am all for family values and realize some families are more impotant,after all he was elected,I suggest a VIP lane.
    The far left (pun intended)lane can go to self serving politicians and others classified as VIP's only.
    The common folk can rough it out in the other lanes.

    I can just hear the discussions in his big polluting SUV now.
    Honey,Your a Senator can't you do anything about us having to sit in traffic?I have to get back so the nanny can take care of the kids.You know we are going out tonight to smooze with our friends at Hichenloopey's restaurant,Geez I hope they fired that white waiter,he actually thought we should tip him!I like the spanish speaking ones,they work for much less,don't you think?
    The government should start charging people to come to the mountains,at least that would get rid of the riff-raff and common people who think ski resorts are actually for them.I just don't know what this world is coming to.Oh! No! I chipped my nail polish,now I have too call and get them all re-done.How are you doing back there kids?Can you get us home ,my game batteries is starting to run out and we rather be home with the nanny.These family trips are getting boring.Now honey ,don't whine it's not polite.We would be home if all these people would stop going skiing at the same time we do.Your daddy's going to fix it the problem.After all our family is much more important than everyone else's isn't it?Now keep yourself occupied,I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to fit a nail appointment in and daddy is thinking of ways to get the regular people off the roads.

    P.S. Satire people!

  • February 22, 2008

    7 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Acemon writes:

    Before we spend billions on a train to the mountains (which might break down like light rail), let's test the idea to see if people will really ride it. Go to www.freeskibus.org for a low-cost option.

  • February 22, 2008

    8:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Acemon writes:

    Senator Romer should be commended for starting a dialogue about a vexing problem, and his website is a great start, but what a shame that you must register as a Google member in order to log in and contribute.

  • February 22, 2008

    8:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    frankmm writes:

    Skiers have been outraged about the weekend traffic on I70 to and from ski areas and now they are outraged about a plan to have them cover some part of the cost of resolving the mess they are creating every weekend. Typical selfish yuppies.

  • February 22, 2008

    9:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bigjking69 writes:

    Its a federal road, Ive paid for it once! Lets think of doing something positive like making the lanes bigger. Hell, they always have the cones up saying they're doing construction between Golden to Eisenhower, yet I never see any construction. Perhaps they could start???

  • February 22, 2008

    9:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    His idea was - Lame and un-doable. but it was an idea, and he has a least brought the subject more into the forefront.
    If peoples time driving - or sitting in traffic is of such a concern - all they need to do is go EARLIER in the morning!
    You can get in more skiing because you get to the slope ahead of the crowds and because you are there early and with less crowding you can ski more - you can then head down earlier and avoid most of the bad traffic.
    Now that would help to ease some of the traffic during "Skiers Rush Hour"
    SO I would Offer: 1)That Ski Colorado and some of the ski resorts promote this idea - and maybe even offer some early skier specials to encourage it. Cheap early Breakfast - reduced cost ski tickets that expire at say 2PM etc (that would ensure to get them off the slope and headed back down earlier)
    2)Ski Bus as low or NO COST - as a way to get some more private cars off I70. And let it be at the expensive of the ski industry - not all of Colorado's tax payers (hey it IS their problem ...)
    Make the bus run frequently and make the price right and skier will use it!
    That is if the traffic tie-ups, and time they spend sitting in traffic is a big enough "problem"
    I do believe that if Colorado adds to the Highway - extra lanes etc - there needs to be a lane for those using the highway that are not going skiing and allow the rest of us access to I-70 during the ski season weekends, and let the skiers deal with the over crowding THEY create!
    Most important to me this is a ski industry and skiers problem and they should cover the majority of the costs to deal with it!

  • February 22, 2008

    9:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Patriot writes:

    If they built a train, would it only have to be used by skiers, couldn't us poor mountain folk use it in the other direction as well. What a concept, we could visit the city, the city folk could visit the mountains and not as many people would have to drive all the time. Personally I would love to not have to drive I70 at all, a train would be a welcomed addition to the states transportation arsenal.

  • February 22, 2008

    10:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    A train would be far too costly to build and to operate, ( and there for a high cost of tickets) plus I believe there have been studies that do not support people would use a Train - in part because of the lack of flexibility in a train schedule - A Train might seem like a good idea - but up and over those grades would be a big technical problem to overcome and very very costly to operate - it just would not work out to be cost effective!
    Busing offers more flexibility of multiple pick up points and times. Plus the technology is ready and good to start today. without a huge disturbance to the land and long term construction etc -

  • February 22, 2008

    10:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    has anyone accessed the web site?
    I do not seem to be able to find it?!?!?!?!

  • February 22, 2008

    10:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Steve writes:

    It said the website won't be up until Saturday.

    The website is a great idea. I just hope people can limit the amount of ignorance they post and post sincere solutions, to the best of their ability.

  • February 22, 2008

    11:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    PajamaPulitzer - why would the state buying Eldora get more skiers to go there than go now?
    I don't believe the state should get involved in an industry that way - if there is demand let the devoplers build what the people want with out it take the state and our taxed to help someone do it?
    Check that rail route to Vail valley - thing of the time it would take - plus the railroads do want to try and share line with passenger traffic - it's a though bt remeber we have one ski train going to WitnerPark - it is not doing much to elevate the traffic (or is it?) and it is Pricey!

  • February 22, 2008

    11:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Steve writes:

    A friend suggested to put a highway from Boulder through near Moffat tunnel over to Winter Park. This would save Boulderites a lot of driving to Winter park and get them off I-70. Plus all you right wing liberal haters would be happy there are no fit people on your highway (I-70) :-)

  • February 22, 2008

    12:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brockage writes:

    Very appropriate, Mr Romer, to begin your website for this on a Saturday - the big ski-I-70 day of the week. Look forward to dropping a suggestion onto your site.

  • February 22, 2008

    3:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Diff writes:

    PajamaPulitzer - cost of train ticket - expensive. Check the cost of riding AMTRAK up to Glen Wood I think it is about $70 each way and it takes nearly four hours each way, that would mean at least 2-3 to the ski areas -AND - that is subsidized rail...
    But State subsidized Ski areas - that's what I want -- NOT! NEVER! NO way No how! for a small % of the population??? - I think we have way of much that garbage as it is.
    Like I said the most important thing about this to me is that it is a Ski industry and a skier problem they should be the ones to PAY their own way! and the rest of us should be paying or inconvenienced for the benefit and convenience of a few! (as we are now actually)
    And you did not even answer my question - why do you think because the state is going to own it - it will atract more skiers than it does now? The lift prices at Eldora are pretty reasonable compared to Vail or most of the other bigger and better resorts. I bet it has something to do with the bigger and better and the better skiing...and it to should pay it's own way - not use my tax dollar for the good of the rich and the few who ski!
    Buses are the easiest and quickest solution - you just have to get people out of their cars!
    You build more road and more cars (ie people) will come to fill them up!

  • February 22, 2008

    5:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mak writes:

    A rapid fixed guideway via a mag lev train would be cool. Mag lev can be run on renewable energy. It's fun to think about.

  • February 22, 2008

    7:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    SteveFesch writes:

    www.freeskibus.org Love the idea.

    Much more reliable idea at a fraction of the cost. Train up I-70. Please. They can't even keep the trains on track in town let alone pushing over the pass with blowing snow with several foot drifts.

  • February 22, 2008

    9:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Francesca writes:

    Acemon: is that your site? Can you plop a poll onto it, then put a link on Romer's page to it?

  • February 24, 2008

    1:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Golden writes:

    What ever happens do NOT build a road or tunnel from Boulder to WP as was suggested by a previous poster... The easier you make things or the Boulderwackos, the more we'll see of them in the mountains.

  • February 27, 2008

    9:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    charlie writes:

    In california they have a heavy truck law that all trucks have to stay in the right lanes. passing only when there are more then 2 lanes. that would help heavy traffic both from E-470 to the mountians. the sign read all trucks over --tons must stay in right lanes. it makes a commute much easier when you dont have 3 simi trucks running side by side for 30 miles at a time.