The general assembly hereby declares that the purpose of this article is to implement the provisions of section 17 of article XIV of the state constitution, adopted at the 1970 general election, by providing for and facilitating the formation and operation of a limited number of service authorities in the state of Colorado. It is further declared that the orderly formation and operation of regional service authorities providing authorized functions, services, and facilities and exercising powers granted by this article will serve a public use and will promote the health, safety, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants thereof and the people of the state of Colorado. It is further declared to be the policy of the state of Colorado to encourage the utilization of single service authorities to provide those functions, services, and facilities which transcend local government boundaries, thus reducing the duplication, proliferation, and fragmentation of local governments, and encouraging establishment of efficient, effective, and responsive regional government. To these ends, this article shall be liberally construed.