Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery Act of 2009 (FASTER) FASTER Safety Program

The FASTER Safety Program is part of the broader Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery Act of 2009 (FASTER), established through Colorado Senate Bill 09-108. Signed into law on March 2, 2009, the act was designed to generate sustained and dedicated funding for Colorado's transportation infrastructure. Administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the FASTER Safety Program specifically allocates funding to highway-related safety improvement projects. The broader FASTER initiative includes two additional programs: the Colorado Bridge Enterprise and the FASTER Transit Grants Program. These combined programs aim to address critical infrastructure needs in a state facing increasing population pressures and aging transportation systems. The FASTER Safety Program is funded through a variety of vehicle registration-related fees, including annual surcharges on registrations, late fees, rental car fees, and surcharges on oversize/overweight vehicles. For the average vehicle owner, these charges amount to roughly $6 per month. These surcharges are fixed and do not adjust with inflation, which means their purchasing power may decline over time. Nevertheless, they provide a reliable annual funding source, with the FASTER Safety Program receiving approximately $80 million each year. These funds have supported over 270 highway safety improvement projects across the state. In total, FASTER-related revenue generates about $200 million annually, with allocations for city and county roads amounting to approximately $27 million and $33 million, respectively. CDOT's role in the administration of the FASTER Safety Program includes prioritizing and executing projects that improve transportation safety on Colorado’s state highways. These projects are selected based on demonstrated safety needs and the potential for accident reduction. While specific application and submission details are not publicly outlined in the source document, it is evident that funds are distributed toward projects with strong public safety implications. CDOT’s internal evaluation mechanisms likely guide the allocation process, although no formal evaluation rubric or application criteria were specified in the source materials. The program does not have a sunset clause and is not set to expire. Its ongoing nature reflects the persistent and growing demand for infrastructure safety improvements across Colorado. Importantly, FASTER funding has become more vital in the wake of federal funding uncertainties and the declining real value of gasoline taxes, which have not been adjusted in decades. These systemic funding challenges have led CDOT to operate increasingly in a “maintenance only” capacity, focusing on preserving existing infrastructure rather than expanding it. FASTER revenues have filled critical funding gaps left by the loss of general fund allocations and declining fuel tax revenues. The program is designed to support statewide improvements and does not restrict eligibility to specific regions, suggesting that all parts of Colorado are potentially eligible for FASTER-funded safety improvements. While specific contact information for grant officers or application deadlines were not disclosed in the source, those seeking to access documentation or project records may submit records requests through CDOT's transparency portal. Finally, although not all administrative details for applying to the FASTER Safety Program were provided, the documented impact and scale of the program illustrate its importance within Colorado's transportation funding ecosystem. With an anticipated population growth of 2.4 million people in the next 20 years, the continuation of such programs is vital for ensuring public safety on increasingly burdened roadways.