Section 32-9-119.7 - Cost efficiency of transit services - reporting - plans(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that surface transportation in the Denver metropolitan area is a major problem confronting not only the citizens of the metropolitan area but also the citizens of the entire state of Colorado. The general assembly further finds that, although mass transportation is one component of an effective surface transportation system, the allocation of resources to mass transportation must be made in light of all surface transportation needs. The general assembly further finds that the district should be organized efficiently, economically, and on a demand-responsive basis and that the district should consider least-cost alternatives in discharging its responsibilities.(2) For the purposes of this section, "operating costs" means all expenditures, including depreciation, except for those incurred in long-term planning and development of mass transportation and rapid transit infrastructures and those costs incurred as a result of providing transportation service mandated by the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990", 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 through 12213.(3) The district shall include in its annual financial reporting information on annual operating costs, ridership numbers, and operating costs divided by ridership as measures of the cost efficiency of the services the district provides.(4) The district shall submit copies of its annual budget to the transportation legislation review committee created in section 43-2-145.(6) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 866, § 3, effective August 7, 2002.)(7) The district shall submit to the transportation legislation review committee any information, data, testimony, audits, or other information the committee may request.(8)(a) The district shall prioritize completion of the northwest rail line to Longmont and the north lines of the transportation expansion plan, adopted by the board and approved by the voters on November 2, 2004, which shall include cooperating and actively partnering with the state and the front range passenger rail district and recognizing the state's plan to fund and execute the northwest rail line in order to take advantage of any available federal funding opportunities.(b) On or before July 1, 2025, the district shall submit a report to the governor and the general assembly that demonstrates how the district will fulfill the district's commitment in the transportation expansion plan, adopted by the board and approved by the voters on November 2, 2004, to complete the transportation expansion routes proposed in the transportation expansion plan by December 31, 2034. On or before December 15, 2025, the district shall present the report to the transportation legislation review committee.Amended by 2024 Ch. 184,§ 5, eff. 5/16/2024.Amended by 2021 Ch. 182, § 2, eff. 9/7/2021.L. 89: Entire section added, p. 1318, § 1, effective June 5. L. 93: (2) amended, p. 352, § 1, effective April 12. L. 94: (4) and (7) amended, p. 622, § 3, effective April 14. L. 2002: (6) and (7) amended, p. 866, § 3, effective August 7. L. 2021: (1), (2), (3), and (4) amended and (5) repealed, (HB 21-1186), ch. 981, p. 981, § 2, effective September 7. 2021 Ch. 182, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).