The Glenwood Springs City Council agreed Thursday to revisit its narrow Sept. 4 vote to include a toll in the South Bridge project, following pushback from residents, business leaders and former city officials who warned the move could put a $50 million federal grant at risk.

The 4-3 vote earlier this month directed staff to design the South Bridge with tolling, with Councilors Sumner Schacter, Ray Schmahl, David Townsley and Steve Smith in favor and Mayor Marco Dehm, Mayor Pro Tem Erin Zalinski and Councilor Mitchell Weimer opposed. The project, estimated at more than $80 million, depends heavily on the $50 million federal award. Transportation officials have since cautioned the city that tying a toll to the design could delay or derail approvals before the September 2026 deadline to obligate the funds.

Several former city leaders appeared during public comment to urge council to reconsider.

Former Mayor Jonathan Godes told councilors that returning the grant would damage Glenwood’s standing for years to come.

“When you return a $50 million grant or $5 million grant from the federal government, you don’t just get to apply for the next one,” Godes said. “That’s a black mark on your community.”

Former Mayor Matt Steckler also spoke during citizen comment, pointing to persistent daily traffic hazards on Midland Avenue.

“There have been plenty of days where traffic gets backed up, and how quickly it gets backed up — it is dangerous,” Steckler said. “If we lose this $50 million grant because of tolling, it will be a generation before we see funding like this again.”

Chamber CEO Angie Anderson told council her board urged them to reconsider the bridge toll, given it could have the unintended consequence of jeopardizing the project’s funding.

“Losing this grant would be devastating to the project, and would negate years of work and investment already made,” she said.

Inside the chambers, councilors themselves split sharply.

Mayor Pro Tem Erin Zalinski said her earlier vote against tolling wasn’t meant to stall the bridge.

“Based on the information I had, it might cause problems, but it wasn’t a kill shot,” Zalinski said. “Reading federal statute and opinion letters from CDOT and staff, I would ask that we reconsider.”

Councilor Ray Schmahl objected to bringing the matter back.

“When I joined the council I understood once the vote is done, the vote is done, and that is being betrayed by this motion,” Schmahl said.

Councilor Steve Smith said he supported a fuller discussion.

“This is an important enough decision, and clearly a topic on which the community is divided in several directions, that it warrants a thorough discussion,” Smith said. “That next vote is going to be better informed… we take all the time we need.”

Council voted 5-2 to place the tolling question back on its Oct. 16 agenda and to hold off on sending letters to federal agencies until then. Voting in favor were Schacter, Zalinski, Dehm, Weimer and Townsley. Opposed were Schmahl and Smith.