(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that surface transportation in the Denver metropolitan area is a major problem confronting not only the citizens of the metropolitan area but also the citizens of the entire state of Colorado. The general assembly further finds that, although mass transportation is one component of an effective surface transportation system, the allocation of resources to mass transportation must be made in light of all surface transportation needs. The general assembly further finds that the district should be organized efficiently, economically, and on a demand-responsive basis and that the district should consider least-cost alternatives in discharging its responsibilities. The general assembly further finds that the farebox recovery ratio of the district must be improved so that resources once allocated for mass transportation can be made available for other surface transportation needs.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "operating costs" means all expenditures, including depreciation, except for those incurred in long-term planning and development of mass transportation and rapid transit infrastructures and those costs incurred as a result of providing transportation service mandated by the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990", 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 through 12213, and "revenues collected" means all non-sales tax revenue generated through the operation and maintenance of the mass transit system, except for those revenues generated as a result of providing transportation service mandated by the federal "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990".

(3) The district shall take whatever measures it deems necessary to ensure that the following percentages of its operating costs are funded by revenues collected, as follows:

(a) For the fiscal year 1990, twenty-seven and one-half percent;

(b) For the fiscal year 1991, twenty-eight and one-half percent;

(c) For the fiscal year 1992, twenty-nine and one-half percent;

(d) For the fiscal year 1993 and each fiscal year thereafter, thirty percent.

(4) The district shall prepare annual budgets based on the percentages required by subsection (3) of this section. The district shall submit copies of its annual budget to the transportation legislation review committee created in section 43-2-145, C.R.S.

(5) No later than August 1, 1989, the district shall submit to the highway legislation review committee optional plans which shall address the following objectives:

(a) To make the mass transportation operations of the district more demand-responsive;

(b) To demonstrate that the district has considered least-cost options for performing its service;

(c) To make recommendations regarding farebox recovery ratios; and

(d) To demonstrate improved commuter and to-and-from-work service.

(6) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 866, § 3, effective August 7, 2002.)

(7) The district shall submit to the transportation legislation review committee any information, data, testimony, audits, or other information the committee may request.