ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. — Colorado's third-most populous county faces an infrastructure backlog of more than $316 million, according to the Arapahoe County Public Works and Development's annual report card released on Monday.
Public Works said it maintains more than $1.6 billion in infrastructure assets in Arapahoe County but had a budget of only $9.8 million in 2023.
Those assets include:
- Paved and gravel roads
- Bridges
- Traffic signals
- Street and traffic-control signs
- Guardrails
- Snow fences
The backlog and continuing budget shortfalls are causing Arapahoe County roads and bridges to fall into disrepair, the department said.
According to the report, 41% of the county's roads are listed as being in poor to very poor condition. Roads and other assets that are rated as being in poor condition cost 10 times more to repair and maintain than roads that are in excellent, good or fair condition, Public Works said.
“This list is significant and underscores the county’s immediate need to identify new funding sources,” said Public Works Director Bryan Weimer. “Without solving this issue, we will continue to rely on Band-Aid fixes and our infrastructure will continue to degrade, jeopardizing public safety.”
The department said they would need an additional $70 million, on top of their annual budget, to bring all of its assets to a "good" rating.
Arapahoe County officials said they want residents to study up more on the county's budget shortfalls and to provide feedback.
The county will take that feedback to decide whether to either cut or eliminate some services or move ahead on a ballot question that would raise property taxes.
TABOR limitations, the county said, caused a 29% reduction in the county's share of property taxes, meaning more $74 million went uncollected for 2024.
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