DENVER -- Colorado motorists may be asked to pick up a bigger piece of the tab for highway and bridge maintenance.

The governor's transportation finance panel is recommending that the state consider increasing fees for everything from vehicle registration to rental cars, license plates and emissions.

"The transportation infrastructure is the foundation of our society," said Russ George, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation. "If we are to maintain what we have today, in the condition it is today, we need an additional $500 million a year starting right away."

George said if the state wants to add more lanes and build more highways or look at other modes of transportation it's going to cost even more.

"I think the legislature does need to look at some mix of taxes and fees," said Doug Aden, the panel's co-chair. "The panel previously endorsed the notion that a significant portion of this shortfall should be paid by the users of the transportation system."

But many motorists are leery of increased fees or taxes.

"I think we pay too many taxes the way it is," said Priscilla Arvallo, as she left the Driver's License center on West Mississippi in Denver.

Arvallo said any request for a tax increase or a hike in fees should wait until the economy picks up.

"I know there's a big need right now," she said. "But, financially, I'm barely getting by as it is."

Aden told 7NEWS that many people would argue that this is precisely the time to invest in transportation.

"There are a number of studies that have been done that show that for every $1 billion invested in infrastructure, you create over 40,000 jobs," Aden said.

The panel will forward its recommendations to the governor, who will then work with the legislature in deciding whether to seek a tax increase and whether to hike any fees.