The battle over road funding intensified at the state Capitol this week, where legislators are seeking to negate an initiative that supporters say is sorely needed but which critics insist would divert money from other state priorities. Supporters of the initiative questioned the timing of new legislation that emerged in the waning days of the legislative session. They also wondered about how much feedback sponsors sought, insinuating the House bill was crafted without input from the road construction industry. At stake is roughly $700 million in state dollars. Introduced last week, House Bill 1430 would take effect only if Initiative No. 175 passes in November. The initiative would require that transportation-related revenues be spent only on building and repairing roads and bridges, safety improvements, transportation planning and engineering, and Colorado State Patrol operations. About 67% of the revenue affected already comes from funds dedicated to highways under the Highway Users Tax Fund.…