Proposed Engineering/Maintenance Management Region Boundaries FAQs

The following is a collection of frequently asked questions and current answers to those questions.

Tell me again, why are we doing this?

The intent of the changes to CDOT Engineering Region boundaries is to enhance customer service.  While recognizing there are many details to work through, benefits include:

• Better aligning of regions with county boundaries allowing the counties to coordinate with only one region, rather than two or sometimes even three.
• Better aligning of regions with Transportation Planning Regions (TPRs) where appropriate.
• Creating “one stop shopping” for many more local governments and transportation stakeholders as well as some internal CDOT offices.
• Simplifying highway responsibilities in the Denver metro area and better aligning engineering and maintenance boundaries in other areas.
• Potential for increased diversity in assignments for CDOT staff.

Is this proposal being driven by the Governor’s office?

No, this idea was generated within CDOT and the Chief Engineer made the final decision.

When will all of the details be finalized?

In order to align the new region boundaries with SAP by July 1st, a transition plan needs to be completed by spring 2013.

When can the Regions begin coordination with the new counties and municipalities?

The Regions are encouraged to begin coordination prior to the transition on July 1st. Each Region will likely develop its own outreach plan.

When can the Region begin outreach to the affected employees?

The Regions are encouraged to begin meeting at the start of the New Year in order to develop a plan by spring to help ensure a seamless transition by July 1st.

How will the boundary changes impact regional funding?

CDOT’s proposal is solely intended to improve customer service and efficiency.  Specific to funding:

• Overall funding is not affected by this reorganization.
• For Fiscal Year 2013, no budgetary changes will occur.
• For Fiscal Year 2014, funds will have to be reconciled across regions to be budget neutral.
• Funding for the operation of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Transportation Planning Regions is not affected.
• Historic funding levels for maintenance are, and will continue to be, tied to roadway segments and not to specific CDOT regions.

With or without regional boundary changes, the State Transportation Commission will begin a process early in 2013 to reevaluate Resource Allocation for Fiscal Years 2015 and beyond.  Resource Allocation is the process used to distribute estimated revenues to CDOT programs over a multiple-year period.  This reevaluation is intended to align with new federal transportation legislation (MAP-21) and state priorities.  These discussions will happen in full cooperation with all of our partners and is entirely separate from the proposed boundary changes.

For the counties and municipalities that are moving regions, what happens to projects that are planned for and in the STIP?

This change by itself does not eliminate any projects.

I don't understand what the problem is with the existing boundaries – were the regions not doing an excellent and timely job?

The proposed changes are not a criticism of historical or current services.  The changes came from a realization that there is often confusion or some loss of efficiency in delivery of services.  Times have changed and business needs change over time.  The proposed realignment would simplify highway responsibilities in metro Denver area, eliminate uncertainty on Region boundaries, and promote more effective communication between CDOT and some of our local government agencies.

How will the new region boundaries impact the maintenance sections?

At this time, we have not worked out all of the details for the maintenance sections, but we do know that employees will continue to report to their existing locations. In the coming months, we will hold workshops with the maintenance superintendents to finalize the details.