DENVER — Drivers in Colorado could pay more to register heavy, large vehicles at the DMV, due to a new draft bill, sponsored by two Democratic Senators, Lisa Cutter and Faith Winter.
“Cars are getting bigger, heavier and more dangerous. I think this is an important step forward in bringing awareness to how we create roads and communities safe for everyone," said Winter.
The bill focuses on the states 12 most populous counties located along the Front Range, Denver, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. According to Colorado Department of Transportation, pedestrians death have significantly gone up in the last decade.
“We are at a record number of deaths on the road. If it’s not a pedestrian or bicyclist, the increase has been 25%. Pedestrian and bicyclist interaction with cars has been 77% increase," said Winter. "One of the most important things we can do as a government is make people feel safe."
Vehicles that weigh less than 3,500 pound, wouldn't have to pay that extra fee. For example, SUVs, certain sports cars, and pick-up trucks would pay an annual fee starting at $3, the highest fee would be $10, plus additional registration costs.
Commercial vehicles would be exempt from this draft bill.
According to lawmakers, the registration fees collected each year would go towards road improvement projects to make it safer for bicyclist and pedestrians.
Winter said this draft bill is very important to her because she spent days in the hospital after she crashed her bike while trying to avoid a truck back in September.
“I was run off the road by a very large dually truck and experienced a dramatic brain injury that put me in the hospital for 13 days and I’m still having side effects from," said Winter.
The draft bill is expected to be presented on Wednesday before the bill is forwarded to a full legislature in 2024.
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