In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Colorado lawmakers are working to create a bus rapid transit (BRT) grant program to keep up with its BRT expansion plan if federal funding is cut, reports Nathaniel Minor for Colorado Public Radio.
According to Minor, the fund would direct revenue earned from rider-hailing and delivery fees to a BRT fund. “The money, however, won’t be enough to offset the potential loss of federal funding. CDOT officials have requested nearly $150 million in federal ‘Small Starts’ grant funding for just one BRT project — a planned $320 million line along about 18 miles of Federal Boulevard in Denver and nearby suburbs including Englewood and Westminster.”
CDOT is also exploring ways to cut costs on the BRT project while continuing with its plans. Cuts could affect station design and amenities, said retired transportation planner Debra Baskett. “In an email to stakeholders, CDOT said a non-federally funded project would need to be smaller and potentially broken into smaller phases but that it and its local partners are ‘committed to delivering high-quality BRT.’”
FULL STORY: With federal funding in question, Colorado will boost state spending for bus rapid transit projects

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)