DENVER -- President Obama's stimulus package will result in a temporary windfall of cash for CDOT, to the tune of $500 million in funding. In order to qualify, the government required transportation departments to make a list of priority projects, 50 percent of which must be 'shovel ready' in 120 days or less.

CDOT said Monday the funding will result in a robust construction season. "It's going to basically allow us to have a construction season this summer, when otherwise we would have had very few projects," said CDOT spokeswoman Stacey Stegman.

CDOT also has a B List and C List of projects ready to go. "We have sort of a phased list so that we know we can get working going immediately. Then, down the road, if other states have problems or they can't spend their money, we'll be in a position to spend their money as well," said Stegman.

The government wants states to identify projects that are immediately ready for groundbreaking in order to create jobs right away.