Senate Republican leaders said Monday that transportation funding conversations have been moving as slow as a morning commute on Interstate 25.

“We’re still talking, so we’ll call that progress,” said Senate President Kevin Grantham of Canon City.

Republicans and Democrats still disagree over whether money should come from a bonding initiative, or a sales tax increase.

Republicans say Democrats must look for efficiencies, allocate and reprioritize existing resources and reduce or eliminate outdated taxes.

“I’ve said before, if Speaker (Crisanta) Duran or House Democrats think a sales tax increase is a standalone solution … that probably doesn’t have a very good chance in the Senate. If it means existing revenues … I am doubtful that has a very favorable view in House Finance,” said Senate Republican Leader Chris Holbert of Parker. “Is there a way to thread the needle, come to a compromise? I hope so.”

Republicans control the Senate in the legislature, while Democrats have a majority in the House.

Another unknown hanging over the process is what an infrastructure spending package from President Trump’s administration might look like. Highway projects along Interstate 25 and Interstate 70 could make a federal infrastructure spending list.

“From our point of view, whether it was a Trump administration, an Obama administration, or a Clinton administration, Colorado has to do what Colorado has to do. We can’t sit around and wait for them,” Grantham said.

Both Republican and Democratic leaders have made transportation funding a top priority for the legislative session. But nearly a month in, gridlock remains. Lawmakers have just over three months to find a solution. Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, has essentially issued a mandate calling on the legislature to act.

Failure to reach consensus would be considered a failure by lawmakers.

“These are difficult issues. We have some pretty rock solid principles on both sides that believe one way or the other in how things should be funded and how things should be done,” Grantham said. “I’m not going to say never the twain shall meet. But we’re talking. So, I still remain encouraged and optimistic that we’ll be able to find a path to get something done before the end of the session. But it’s difficult.”

The Senate president added that in the end, the decision will come down to legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle.

“At some point this is leadership deciding what they can or can’t allow,” Grantham said.

One issue that is complicating the debate is how to prioritize transportation funding in rural Colorado.

“For the majority of geographic area in Colorado, rural Colorado, if they think through that, they don’t necessarily want a hundred of us here in Denver to make decisions for transportation statewide,” Holbert said.

Both he and Grantham said Hickenlooper’s office has been eager to reach a solution.

“I have not seen a political tone from the First Floor on transportation, and I’m just grateful for that,” Holbert said, referring to the governor’s office on the first floor of the Capitol, as opposed to the legislature, which operates out of the second floor.

“The First Floor has been very helpful,” Grantham added. “They’re wanting to get something done. They know the difficulties on the Second Floor. So, they’re trying to be as accommodating as they can.”