At the request of Governor John Hickenlooper and the Colorado Department of Transportation, Jefferson County officials have backed away from seeking drafted legislation to help complete the Jefferson Parkway Toll Road.
The road, if completed, would create a beltway around the Denver metro area.
A recent report by KUNC highlighted how contentious the project has become, with officials in Golden and Superior voicing concern that the completed high speed toll road would increase traffic in their communities, and possibly cause environmental damage in and around a section of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
According to the Denver Post, state officials seek a restart to parkway negotiations with Golden and other concerned communities. Last December, Golden officials walked away from the negotiation table saying not enough had been done to protect the interests of the city.
The Beltway Enhancement Act [pdf] sought to create a commission which could, in theory, seize public and private property in the path of the parkway through eminent domain. In addition to the cities of Golden and Superior, the League of Woman Voters also voiced concern about the bill.
