Rep. Gabe Evans Sends Letter to Governor Polis Demanding Accountability for CDOT Mismanagement

WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO-08) sent a letter to Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Executive Director Shoshana Lew expressing grave concerns over the continued mismanagement of CDOT -demanding immediate corrective action to refocus the agency on core infrastructure priorities that keep Coloradans safe and the economy moving.

In the letter, Congressman Gabe Evans highlighted repeated concerns from constituents about worsening road conditions and traffic congestion across Adams, Weld, and Larimer Counties - even as CDOT's budgethas nearly doubled since 2018 under Governor Polis' administration. Rep. Evans also cited statutory violations identified in CDOT's own audit, and reports of Federal regulatory violations that could jeopardize Colorado's access to critical federal transportation funding.

An excerpt from the letter reads:

"I respectfully urge your offices to take immediate steps to correct the blatant mismanagement that has plagued CDOT under your leadership, restore public trust in CDOT, and ensure good governance in the allocation of taxpayer dollars. The agency's failure to prioritize core infrastructure needs despite record-high budgets and unprecedented federal support- is not just irresponsible, it's indefensible. My constituents deserve a transportation system that works for them, not against them. I will continue to advocate for the communities I serve, whom you have neglected, until CDOT is reoriented toward delivering results that reflect their needs and values." - Congressman Gabe Evans

Key Concerns in Rep. Evans Letter

Congressman Evans emphasized a pattern of mismanagement that has left Coloradans paying more to receive less. Working families and businesses are continuously burdened by more than $500 million in taxpayer funded feesin CDOT's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget costs, which disproportionately falls onto road users and industries that depend on conventional fuel and freight movement to operate and grow.

At the same time, Colorado's roads continue to deteriorate. Under Governor Polis' leadership, the state ranks among the worst in the nation for road conditions. Currently the state ranks 7th worst overall, and comes in 3rd for the worst urban highways and 5th worst for rural highways. These rankings reflect years of out-of-touch priorities as CDOT has expanded spending on political initiatives, while failing to adequately invest in core roadway maintenance and safety.

The consequences of these choices are being felt across Colorado's Eighth Congressional District. Critical transportation corridors such as I-25, Highway 85, and I-75 serve as economic lifelines for families, farmers, and employers; yet commuters and businesses face worsening congestion, repeated vehicle damage, longer travel times, and an increased risk of serious accidents. On average, these failures are costing Colorado drivers an estimated $1,900 per year.

Rep. Evans also pointed to serious accountability concerns raised by CDOT's own audit, which found statutory violations in funding disbursement more than six times higher than when Governor Polis took office. The audit identified $4.8 million in unaccountable taxpayer dollars, much of it tied to the Division of Transit and Rail, raising significant questions about fiscal responsibility at the agency.

Public safety risks continue to mount as well. Across the state, 417 bridgesare currently classified as structurally deficient, including heavily traveled bridges in Adams County and along major Front Range routes. These conditions pose real dangers to drivers and underscore the cost of neglecting basic infrastructure needs.

Finally, Congressman Evans warned that CDOT's reported violations of federal commercial driver licensing regulations risk undermining the federal government's confidence in the agency. With nearly half of CDOT's budget dependent on federal funding, this mismanagement could jeopardize Colorado's eligibility for future federal grants and formula funding - placing hundreds of millions of dollars at risk.

Congressman Evans made it clear that Colorado's transportation system is being undermined, not by lack of resources, but by Governor Polis' failure to prioritize safety, accountability, and the fundamental needs of all communities in Colorado.

Rep. Gabe Evans Calls for Immediate Corrective Action

Congressman Gabe Evans urges Governor Polis to take immediate steps to restore public trust and refocus CDOT on delivering results for Colorado communities including:

• Prioritizing road, highway, and bridge repair over politically driven projects

• Increasing transparency and accountability in funding disbursement

• Partnering with local governments in Adams, Weld, and Larimer Counties on district priorities

• Proactively correcting any ongoing violations that could put federal transportation funding at risk

Read the full letter here.