DENVER • A bill changing the way Colorado funds its highway system cleared its last major hurdle Tuesday when the state House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to the measure.

Supporters said the bill, dubbed Funding Advancements for Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery, or FASTER, would raise at least $250 million a year to repair roads and bridges.

To pay for it, the owner of a typical automobile will pay a $41 registration surcharge, phased in over three years.

Voting for the measure were 34 Democrats. The 27 Republicans were united in opposition and were joined by four Democrats, including Rep. Dennis Apuan of Colorado Springs.

Final House approval on third reading, usually a formality, is expected today. The measure, SB108, would then go back to the Senate to resolve a handful of amendments adopted by the House on Tuesday.

The bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Joe Rice, D-Littleton, said it would save at least 5,000 jobs and improve safety on the state’s aging highway infrastructure, especially 126 bridges rated as in poor condition by the state Department of Transportation.

“The reasons for this bill are jobs and safety,” Rice said.

Republicans countered that the fee increases would further burden Coloradans who are struggling in the recession. Rep. David Balmer, R-Centennial, calculated that the registration fee increase for one car would pay for a week of school lunches.

“With jobs going away in this state, we can’t afford to increase these fees that people can’t afford to pay anyway,” said Rep. Randy Baumgardner, R-Hot Sulphur Springs.

During more than four hours of debate, Republicans tried repeatedly to chip away at the bill. Among a slew of proposed amendments that failed was one offered by a Democrat, Ed Casso of Commerce City, that would have barred adding tollbooths to existing roads.

Also turned aside was a measure to forbid collecting fees based on vehicle miles traveled.

Several amendments were approved. Perhaps the most significant change was to extend the phase-in period for the registration surcharges to three years, instead of two. Another successful amendment barred the condemnation of land to build projects, including a proposed rail line that would move freight traffic onto the eastern plains, making room for a Front Range passenger rail system.

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President Barack Obama addresses a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009. Photo by (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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