DENVER -- Colorado lawmakers are anxiously awaiting details from Washington, D.C. about what the stimulus package will mean for the state.

Colorado is facing a billion dollar shortfall and Gov. Bill Ritter has recommended slashing $800 million from the budget and giving state workers five furlough days a year.

The governor said he was still waiting for specifics but also offered praise.

“The American people and the American economy deserve quick action in order to get this nation moving in the right direction again. Thanks to the strong leadership of President Obama and the swift deliberations of the new Congress, I'm hopeful we will soon start creating jobs and rebuilding the American and Colorado economies," he said.

It's estimated the state will receive more than $600 million for construction projects on roads, bridges and mass transit.

Rep. Jack Pommer of Boulder is a member of the Joint Budget Committee. He said it is too early to make budget projections and adjustments.

"If we were to not make cuts, waiting on federal money and then it doesn't come in right, we will have a real crisis," he told 7NEWS.

Colorado has $1.6B road wish list

Colorado has developed a list of $1.6 billion worth of highway projects to potentially be funded with the expected federal stimulus package.

Some of the projects in the lineup include $50 million for a full reconstruction of a stretch of U.S. Highway 36 in Boulder County. An $8 million resurfacing project for a stretch of Interstate 70 is also included.

The state's 11 appointed transportation commissioners are expected to approve a final list as early as next week. The draft document also has a separate $268 million wish list for transit projects. Tops on that list is $18.6 million for work at Denver's historic Union Station, which the city has been working to turn into a transportation hub.

Not all the projects are likely to be funded since Colorado is only expected to get about $425 million for highway projects and another $100 million for transit. But officials wanted to have more projects lined up in case any fall through. They also want to be ready in case some states can't spend their money in time and have to return it, setting up a second round of funding.

To see a draft list of transportation projects, go to Department of Transportation.