Summary#

House Joint Resolution 26-1030, “Mono & Matt Road Designation,” designates the portion of Colorado Highway 14 between mile markers 165 and 167 as “Mono & Matt Road.” The resolution’s stated goal is to honor Edwardo “Mono” Hernandez and Matthew Garcia, two Greeley student athletes who died in a traffic accident.

• The resolution names that specific highway segment; it does not change traffic rules or require safety measures.
• The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) may accept and spend gifts, grants, and donations to place signs marking the segment.
• CDOT may explore a cooperative agreement with Weld County to maintain the signs. The resolution does not require such an agreement or require signs to be installed.
• The supplied material says the resolution was signed into law.

What it means for you#

• Drivers: The highway segment has a new name. The resolution does not change speed limits, access, or other rules for using the road.
• Families and community: The designation creates a public memorial to Hernandez and Garcia along the specified segment.
• CDOT: The department may accept and spend donations for initial sign placement and may explore a sign-maintenance agreement with Weld County.
• Taxpayers: The resolution does not specify a public appropriation or require CDOT or Weld County to pay for signs or maintenance.

Money#

No publicly available information.

• The resolution gives CDOT permission to accept and spend gifts, grants, and donations for the initial signs, but provides no cost estimate.
• It does not state how sign maintenance would be paid for.

What is unclear#

• Whether signs will be installed, and when.
• Whether CDOT and Weld County will make a maintenance agreement.
• What sign installation and maintenance would cost, or whether any public funds will be used.

Case for#

• The designation provides a lasting public tribute to two young people remembered by their school and community.
• Naming a defined highway segment gives that tribute a specific location.
• Allowing CDOT to use donations for initial signs may provide a way to mark the designation without requiring a specified public appropriation.

Case against#

• The resolution does not require signs, so the new name may not be visibly marked.
• It allows CDOT to explore a county maintenance agreement but does not ensure one is made or explain who will maintain signs.
• The resolution addresses commemoration; it does not require road-safety measures or establish that the designation will improve safety.