The Governor's Office today certified a second round of transportation projects to be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, giving the OK to $194 million for 30 projects mostly in the Denver metro area.

Projects include $33 million for repaving C-470 in Douglas County, $18 million for redeveloping Union Station into a regional transportation hub, and $22 million for replacing the Interstate 25/Alameda Avenue bridge over Santa Fe Drive in Denver.

The Governor's Energy Office said today it is establishing a competitive bid process to fund shovel-ready New Energy Economy projects with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

The Energy Office also is co-sponsoring a recovery conference for utility-company officials on Tuesday, featuring Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien, Energy Office Director Tom Plant, Public Utilities Commission Chairman Ron Binz and many others.

The Federal Transit Administration today released $8.4 billion to states as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including approximately $103 million to Colorado for public transportation and transit projects across the state.

"These funds are vital to putting Coloradans back to work, getting our economy moving again and building a modern, 21st century transportation system," Gov. Ritter said. "These projects will improve transportation throughout Colorado, from metro Denver to the mountains, from Fort Collins to Pueblo, from Mesa County to Greeley."

Gov. Bill Ritter has certified the first round of transportation funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signing off on $145 million worth of projects in Colorado that will create jobs, improve safety and relieve congestion.

In a letter late yesterday to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Gov. Ritter certified that 18 projects are shovel-ready. Under terms of the recovery act, states must obligate up to 50 percent of the majority of their transportation allotments within 120 days.

Gov. Bill Ritter announced the creation today of an accountability and oversight board to ensure that funds Colorado receives from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed in Denver yesterday, are spent effectively and transparently.

"The recovery act presents an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen Colorado's economy and create new jobs all across the state," said Gov. Ritter. "With this opportunity also comes a need for additional monitoring to ensure the funds are invested effectively, efficiently and wisely, and with an unprecedented level of oversight, transparency and accountability."

Good afternoon. I'm Bill Ritter, Governor of the great state of Colorado.

It's my distinct honor and privilege to welcome the President and the Vice President of the United States to Denver, Colorado, for this historic bill-signing.

Two months ago, I joined governors from all across America at a meeting in Philadelphia with then-President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden. They wanted to hear from us about how the economy was hurting people in our states ... how families were struggling, how children had been impacted by the downturn.

Gov. Ritter issued the following statement today regarding President Barack Obama's decision to sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Colorado.

"The decision by President Obama to sign the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act here in Colorado is a history-making honor and privilege for our state. It is a testament to the President's belief that this package will help people in states all across America."

Gov. Bill Ritter today issued the following statement regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

"The American people and the American economy deserve quick action in order to get this nation moving in the right direction again. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Obama and the swift deliberations of the new Congress, I'm hopeful we will soon start creating jobs and rebuilding the American and Colorado economies."

Gov. Bill Ritter was one of just four governors to address U.S. House Democrats today at their annual issues conference, providing input on how budget cuts are impacting residents and how the federal recovery package could create jobs and spur innovation in Colorado.

"It was important to let the representatives know that as governors, we're making difficult choices every day that impact real people," Gov. Ritter said. "While we are still better off than many other states, Colorado has, for example, seen a 12 percent increase in Medicaid cases. The recession is putting the safety net in peril and in jeopardy."

Gov. Bill Ritter today thanked Sen. Mark Udall for introducing an amendment to the federal recovery package that would restore State Energy Program funding in the Senate version to the level passed in the House.

"This is one of our highest priorities in the recovery package and I'm grateful Sen. Udall has introduced this important amendment," Gov. Ritter said. "I urge members of both parties to support the amendment, as it represents a remarkable opportunity to create jobs, train workers and reduce families' utility costs.

In a letter yesterday to Colorado's congressional delegation, Gov. Bill Ritter recommended changes to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will increase the legislation's job-creation and economic-growth potential while also addressing unique Colorado concerns.

"My office has been working closely with President Obama's team, our congressional delegation, local officials and business leaders on this recovery package for months," Gov. Ritter said today. "This is a new opportunity to forge a stronger state-federal partnership and get our economy moving again across the country and throughout Colorado.

Gov. Bill Ritter today joined with Colorado Counties Inc. and the Colorado Municipal League to fight for job funding, sending a joint letter to Colorado's congressional delegation that outlines a collaborative, statewide approach for distribution of the proposed federal recovery package.

"All of us acknowledge the tremendous need for infrastructure investment," Gov. Ritter, CML President Doug Linkart and CCI President Kathay Rennels wrote. "The challenge will be to move the dollars from a federal allocation to actual projects on the ground. We are committed to working together on behalf of the citizens of our state. Colorado will be nimble with the stimulus resources because of the commitment of state leadership to the economic well being of our citizens."

Gov. Bill Ritter joined the nation's governors today in sharing their ideas with President-elect Obama on how an economic-recovery package could best create new jobs and spur economic growth in their states.

Gov. Ritter is particularly focused on a recovery package that includes investments in transportation and energy infrastructure as a way to both meet important and unmet needs and stimulate employment opportunities.