Have an idea for bicycle pedestrian safety? Win money from the Colorado Department of Transportation

DENVER -- Do you have an idea on how to improve pedestrian or bicyclist safety in Colorado?

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is giving away money for the best ideas and is even willing to pay five idea submitters to build a proof of concept.

"The $500,000 RoadX Bicycle and Pedestrian Challenge asks entrepreneurs, ideators, and communities to develop inventive technological solutions to protect bicyclists and pedestrians in Colorado," the Colorado Department of Transportation said in a news release.

“We’re inviting Coloradans into the process to leverage today’s technological renaissance in creating a safer bicycling and pedestrian experience for all," said Amy Ford, communications director for CDOT. 

There are two ways to enter -- the idea-thon and the do-athon.

• Idea-thon. Submit a groundbreaking technological idea to improve bicycling and pedestrian safety. Up to five winners will be chosen with a prize of $10,000 each.
• Do-athon. Enter a unique and implementable idea and be able to deploy the technology within eight months. Up to five finalists will be chosen and each will receive $75,000 to build proof of concept. The team that deploys the best working technology over eight months will receive $150,000 to continue the program. The runner up will receive $50,000 and third place will receive $25,000.

Ideas can be submitted either individually or in teams, and in English or Spanish. Proposals were originally due this Monday, but the deadline has been extended to March 22, 2017. Finalists will be selected on March 31, 2017.