58237F315D3D54A78725872700570015 Hearing Summary CLICS/CLICS2021A/commsumm.nsf PUBLICBILL SUMMARY For COLORADO MOTOR CARRIERS ASSOCIATIONINTERIM COMMITTEE TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEEDate Aug 4, 2021 Location Old State Library Colorado Motor Carriers Association - Committee Discussion Only Attachment Tag File Name Attachment E http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2021A/commsumm.nsf/0/6F1C4CBB1DE2...$File/21TLRC0804AttachE.pdf?OpenElement 21TLRC0804AttachE.pdf Attachment F http://www2.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2021A/commsumm.nsf/0/5318E86D8AFC...$File/21TLRC0804AttachF.pdf?OpenElement 21TLRC0804AttachF.pdf 09:50:18 AM Greg Fulton, president representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), provided a PowerPoint presentation (Attachment E) about the association. Mr. Fulton indicated that the trucking industry provides 122,680 jobs in Colorado. He stated that there are 15,000 trucking companies in the state, with the averge base salary per year for a trucking job in Colorado at $72,622. Mr. Fulton presented that the trucking industry pays 37 percent of fees and makes up only 6 percent of traffic on the road. He indicated that the industry in Colorado paid $502 million in federal and state roadway taxes in 2019. Mr. Fulton provided information on clean diesel progross, including a 98 reduction in nitrous oxides and particulate matter. He stated that new technology has reduced diesel truck carbon dioxide emissiosn by 126 milllion tons since 2007 and that the industry is working on replacing trucks older than 2007 with newer models, since older trucks make up 75 percent of diesel emissions. 09:57:49 AM Mr. Fulton taked about the impacts of the I-70 closure of through Glenwood Canyon. He stated that a typical trip of four to four and half hours now takes six and a half to eight hours, driving through Rifle. He went on to indicate that hours of service for truckers can be problematic with the alternate route, since the driver must rest in the middle of the trip according to federal regulations about hours truckers may work. He talked about the US-50 project being placed on hold due to the I-70 closure, providing another route option. Mr. Fulton indicated that delays are creating supply chain issues, leading to higher costs for consumers and shippers and more traffic on the alternate routes. 10:02:53 AM Mr. Fulton touched on a nationwide driver shortage. He talked about the legalization of marijuana in Colorado and federal requirements related to drug testing. Mr. Fulton shared statistics about the median age of truck dirvers, 55, with more drivers retiring, and few female drivers. He discussed the nature of driving, being on the road regularly, as a challenge to hiring, as well as additional pressures during the pandemic, such as an increase in e-commerce, and the closure of driving schools. Mr. Fulton outlined possible solutions to hiring challenges, including paying drivers more; providing more time at home for drivers; improving the driver image; expanding days and times for delivery to allow for flexibility in schedules; and recruiting and retaining drivers agressively. 10:16:55 AM Mr. Fulton talked about longer term solutions to the driver shortage. He mentioned a tax credit to companies to extend training for new CDL drivers, perhaps $10,000 for employing individuals with criminal records. Mr. Fulton talked about low or no cost training for soldiers ending their tour. He mentioned that there may be support for a pilot including drives 18 to 20 years old. He suggested that greater outreach be made to women and minorities and enhanced productivity through an incrcrease in gross weight to 85,000 pounds on the interstate to match other state highways. Mr. Fulton mentioned an industry letter available for review on the committee's web page (Attachment F). 10:22:07 AM Mr. Fulton talked about proposed legislation that would define milk products as a non-divisible load, consistent with other states. He indicated that CMCA is also interested in modifications to oversight of the passenger traction law, including modifications to the type of tire noted in current law. 10:25:36 AM There was a discussion about the fuel shortage. Greer Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, mentioned that communities are experiencing fuel shortages, primarily diesel and higher premium gas; and consumers are experiencing price spikes. Mr. Bailey agreed that use of US-50 is critical. He mentioned that drivers are running out of hours when driving longer distances, especially with fuel coming from areas that are further away. He suggested that intervention may be needed to allocate fuel to emergency services and schools. 10:32:03 AM There was a discussion about the US 50 closure and pressure to complete the project. The discussion included the possibility that ranchers and farmers, as well as builders, may be having issues getting equipment. 10:36:28 AM There was a suggestion to desginate key corridors and alternate corridors and apply resources to those corridors to address shipping and highway closures. There was a discussion about additional fuel storage, especially in local airports. 10:43:53 AM There was a discussion about driver pay, including some drivers requesting to work for cash. Double fuel tankers as a way to address the fuel shortage were discussed. A committee member suggested that disaster declaration for I-70 may provide some latitude; however a permanent change must be approved by the federal government and the distribution network may not be sufficient to carry the weight of an additional tanker.
