(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(a) The increased population growth and economic activity within the state has resulted in the significant and growing demand for increased construction and reconstruction of highways and other transportation projects within the state to facilitate the movement of people, goods, and information;

(b) As a result of the increased federal and state funding provided to the department of transportation in recent years for transportation projects, together with the increasing number, size, and complexity of planned transportation projects, the department will benefit from the use of a faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective contractor selection and procurement process to design and construct transportation projects;

(c) A design-build selection and procurement process will provide the department of transportation with: A savings of time, cost, and administrative burden; improved quality expectations with respect to the schedule and budget of transportation projects, as well as completion of such projects; and a reduction in the risks associated with transportation projects, including reduced duplication of expenses and improved coordination of efforts to meet the transportation needs of Colorado.

(2) The general assembly intends that this part 14 authorize the department of transportation to enter design-build contracts and to use an adjusted score design-build selection and procurement process for particular transportation projects regardless of the minimum or maximum cost of such projects, based on the individual needs and merits of such projects, and subject to approval by the transportation commission. The general assembly also intends that the department's use of an adjusted score design-build contract process shall not prohibit use of the low bid process currently used by the department pursuant to part 1 of article 92 of title 24 and part 14 of article 30 of title 24, C.R.S.