Transcript Colorado Transportation Issues July 10, 2013 Polling Methodology These unique polling results are based on 1,001 live telephone surveys among likely 2014 voters.

Colorado Transportation Issues
July 10, 2013
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Polling Methodology
These unique polling results are based on 1,001 live
telephone surveys among likely 2014 voters statewide in
Colorado. This sample accurately represents Colorado
voters statewide by political affiliation, gender, age,
ethnicity and region.
These surveys were conducted November 28 –
December 2, 2012. For this sample of 1,001 interviews the
worst case margin of error at the 95% level is plus or
minus 3.1%.
When looking at subsample groups, such as men and
women, the worst case margin of error depends on the
number of responses.
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Key Poll Findings
 The Colorado Department of Transportation Is Well
Liked Around The State.
 Most Coloradans Rate The Transportation They Use
As Good, Convenient and Easy To Use.
- With Concerns About Road Maintenance &
Bridge Safety
 Colorado’s Roads Are Congested, But Its Not
Considered A Severe Problem – Especially In Rural
Counties.
 To Reduce Congestion - Expanding Transit Is
Preferred Over Increasing Capacity.
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Key Poll Findings (Continued)
Transportation Is Not The Most Important State
Priority.
Voters Believe It’s Practical To Pay $30-$90 More
Per Year In Taxes - If It Is Dedicated To Improving
Transportation.
There Is Little Appetite For A Gas Tax Increase.
A Majority Of Voters Are Supportive Of A Sales
Tax Increase Dedicated to Transportation
Improvement Projects.
To Garner Support: Use A Forward Thinking
Economic Message Frame.
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Overview of Voter Attitudes and Feelings
About Transportation In Colorado
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The Colorado Department of Transportation Is
Viewed Favorably
“Now I’m going to read the names of several public figures and groups.
After I read each one, please tell me if you have a very favorable opinion,
somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion?”
72
70
Favorable
Unfavorable
Unfamiliar
15
15
11 More Urban Counties
6
15
13
53 Rural Counties
Regional Advocacy Groups Are Largely Unknown
Favorable
Unfavorable
Unfamiliar
60
“Now I’m going to read the names of several public figures and groups.
After I read each one, please tell me if you have a very favorable opinion,
somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable opinion?”
88
86
30
10
Club 20
Counties Only
7
3
11
Progressive 15
Counties Only
6
6
Action 22
Counties Only
Voters Around The State Describe the Quality of the
Transportation They Use as Good or Fair
“Thinking about transportation in Colorado that you use - the roads, highways, bridges,
busses and rail - would you describe the quality as excellent, good, fair or poor?”
Excellent
Poor
7% 10%
Good
42%
8
Fair
40%
Voters Like Best:
Easy Access and the Roads Are Good
“What do you like best about Colorado's roads, highways, bridges and transit system?”
9
Most Important Transportation Concern:
Repair Roads and Fix Bridges
“What is the number one problem or concern that you have with Colorado's roads,
highways, bridges and transit system?”
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Urban Coloradans Say The Roads Are Somewhat Congested
- Roads In Rural Colorado Typically Are Not Congested
“Thinking specifically about traffic and congestion on the roads and highways that you
use – would you say they are typically congested with traffic when you use them?”
Congested
Not Congested
66%
Very
27%
64%
34%
36%
Very
12%
11 More Urban Counties
53 Rural Counties
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Colorado Drivers Typically Aren’t Inconvenienced
By Congestion
“How often do you take an alternate route to avoid using a road or highway because
it’s too congested with traffic – always, frequently, occasionally or never?”
Always / Frequently
Occasionally / Never
60%
72%
39%
27%
11 More Urban Counties
53 Rural Counties
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A Majority of Coloradans Say They Aren’t Willing To Pay
A Toll To Reduce Congestion And Decrease Drive Time
“Thinking specifically about traffic and congestion on the roads and highways that you
use – would you be willing to pay a toll to access a road or highway if it reduces
congestion and decreases the time it takes to get to your destination?”
Willing
Not Willing
42%
69%
52%
26%
11 More Urban Counties
13
53 Rural Counties
Expanding Transit Is The Preferred Solution To
Reduce Traffic And Congestion
“Which one of the following is the best way to reduce traffic and congestion on the
roads and highways that you use?
Expand Transit Services
Increase Capacity On Our Roads
58%
37%
49%
38%
11 More Urban Counties
53 Rural Counties
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Best Ways to Improve Transportation:
Light Rail and Mass Transit
“What is the best way to improve transportation here in Colorado?”
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Transportation and State Funding Priorities
16
Jobs / Economy Is The Most Important Issue
Facing The State
53 Rural
Counties
Statewide Results
Jobs | Economic Downturn
44%
20%
Education | School Funding
State Budget | Government |…
Health Care
Marijuana legalization
17
17%
Water, drought, fires
5%
Transportation
5%
14%
19%
6%
8%
7%
45%
“What would you say are
the most important issues or
challenges facing
Colorado?”
8%
11%
3%
Half of Voters Support Increased Transportation Funding
“Do you think state funding for Colorado’s transportation needs should be increased,
decreased or kept the same? If respondent says increased ask: Do you think funding
should be increased a lot, some, or just a little?”
Increased
Kept The Same
Decreased
52%
50%
39%
A lot
14%
4%
Statewide
18
38%
A lot
9%
5%
53 Rural Counties
Information About The Transportation Budget Boosts
Voter Support For Increasing Transportation Funding
Increased
Kept The Same
Decreased
52%
39%
“Do you think state funding for Colorado’s transportation
needs should be increased, decreased or kept the same?
If respondent says increased ask: Do you think funding
should be increased a lot, some, or just a little?”
A lot
14%
4%
Initial
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…While you may or may not be
aware of it, the YEARLY budget
that the Colorado Department
of Transportation uses to
maintain, improve and repair
our roads, highways and
bridges has been cut by nearly
one-third over the past five
years…
Information About The Transportation Budget Boosts
Voter Support For Increasing Transportation Funding
Increased
Kept The Same
Decreased
+12 points
“Do you think state funding for Colorado’s transportation
needs should be increased, decreased or kept the
same? If respondent says increased ask: Do you think
funding should be increased a lot, some, or just a little?”
64%
52%
39%
31%
A lot
14%
4%
Initial
20
A lot
19%
2%
Informed
Voters Are Willing To Pay A Little More In Taxes, If:
The Money is Dedicated To Maintaining, Improving And Repairing
Colorado’s Roads, Highways, Bridges And Transit System
“Would you be willing to increase your taxes by ($30, $60, $90) per year if that
money is dedicated to maintaining, improving and repairing Colorado’s
roads, highways, bridges and transit system?”
% Willing
70% 66%
68% 66%
66%
50%
$30 Per Year
21
Statewide
$60 Per Year
53 Rural Counties
$90 Per Year
Voters Have Very Little Appetite For a Gas Tax Increase
“Now I’d like to read some proposals to increase taxes with the requirement that the
additional tax revenues are used to fund transportation projects like improvements and
repairs to Colorado’s roads, bridges and transportation system”
Do you favor or oppose a proposal to increase the state gas tax by 5 / 10 / 15 cents
per gallon?
% Favor Increasing The State Gas Tax
33% 31%
23% 22%
17%
6%
5 cents per gallon
22
Statewide
10 cents per gallon
15 cents per gallon
53 Rural Counties
Voters Are Most Supportive Of A Sales Tax Increase
“Now I’d like to read some proposals to increase taxes with the requirement that the
additional tax revenues are used to fund transportation projects like improvements and
repairs to Colorado’s roads, bridges and transportation system?
% Favor The Proposal
58% 57%
51%
39%
25% 26%
Vehicle Miles
Traveled Tax
23
43%
34%
19% 21%
VMT
Explained
Statewide
Expand Sales
Tax To Include
Gas
Index Gas Tax
To Inflation
53 Rural Counties
Half Cent
Sales Tax
Increase
Reasons To Support Increased
Transportation Funding
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Top Reasons to Support Increased Funding
for Transportation
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A Forward Thinking Message Frame
A modern-up-to-date transportation system makes
Colorado’s economy stronger by putting people to
work and attracting businesses and employers to
Colorado – creating good paying jobs.
1. Increase Transit. This proposal will include funding to increase transit
capacity and options such as light rail, rapid transit and bus services.
2. Bridge Safety. Many of Colorado’s bridges are in disrepair including 123
bridges, many of which you use, that are rated in poor condition. Additional
transportation funding will allow us to maintain and improve the safety of our
bridges.
3. Maintain Roads. 52 percent of our state highway infrastructure is in poor
condition and our roads have degraded so badly that major reconstruction
is necessary. Additional transportation funding now will allow us to better
maintain our existing roads and avoid even bigger much costlier repairs in
the future.
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Colorado Transportation Issues
Questions? Contact Roger Sherman at 303-592-5465 or
[email protected]
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