Transportation leaders think the best places to spend any surplus in revenue next year is Colorado roads and bridges.

A revenue forecast delivered Wednesday suggests the state might have a previously unforeseen $106 million to spend next year.

“Policymakers should leverage the dividends being paid out by this growing economy to provide relief from its chief impact, traffic,” Greg Fulton, president of the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, said in a statement. “While state revenues are growing, unfortunately the cost in time and money to citizens and businesses due to congestion is also increasing. With a billion dollars of new money on the table, it is critical that we dedicate a significant share of those funds to our transportation system which is the lifeblood of our economy and key to our quality of life.”

The truckers are joined by chambers of commerce, CEOs and a statewide coalition called Fix Colorado Roads. The state’s traffic jams and crumbling infrastructure have been neglected too long, and the legislature hasn’t been generous with money to help, instead relying on gas taxes and direct fees that aren’t nearly cutting it.

Republicans in the state Senate don’t want to ask voters to raise sales taxes, and Democrats in the House won’t cut education or other social services for the sake of transportation.

“The General Assembly made historic breakthroughs on the budget and construction defects last year,” noted Sandra Hagen Solin, who represents Fix Colorado Roads and the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance, made up of chambers from Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley.

“Democrats and Republicans should build on last year’s momentum by making a significant down payment on a long-term transportation solution from this new budget surplus. The public would cheer collaboration in politics, and more, they’d be thrilled we took steps toward solving our state’s transportation funding deficit.”

They have a potent advocate in Senate President Kevin Grantham. R-Canon City.

“These positive new revenue forecasts do not mean we can go on a spending spree, but they should mean we have an opportunity to provide Colorado’s crumbling roads with the general fund support they desperately need,” he said. “We can make roads a top budget priority again, which is what Republicans will be pushing for when we get back to legislative business next month.”

The next session begins on Jan. 10.

Mike Kopp, the CEO of Colorado Concern, said highway neglect is at a crisis point.

“There will be time for a conversation about new revenue and ballot initiatives in the future, but the job at hand is clear: The General Assembly can and must make a significant financial commitment from the tax dollars the state already collects, and do it this year,” he said.

Dirk Draper, president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corp., said the surplus represents a good opportunity at the right time to act on it.

“Now is the time to take advantage of this unique opportunity to start solving the transportation challenges that our businesses tell us are driving up their costs and hindering their economic competitiveness,” he stated. “Our El Paso County delegation has long recognized the significance of this issue. And beyond economics, following yesterday’s news that traffic fatalities have reached record numbers this year, it’s clear this is no longer just an inconvenience – it’s a matter of life and death.”