Colorado Democrats went all-in Friday on a $787 billion wager, hoping a massive infusion of federal dollars can create or save about 60,000 jobs in the state and turn around a spiraling national economy.

All seven Democrats in the state's congressional delegation voted for a massive economic stimulus package that includes more than $500 million for Colorado highway and transit projects, $752 million for the ailing state government, and millions more for schools, energy programs, job training, housing and other projects.

The state's two Republican congressmen, Reps. Doug Lamborn of Colorado Springs and Mike Coffman of Aurora, were opposed, as were all GOP members of the House of Representatives and all but three Republican senators.

Stakes high for Markey

The stark partisan division sets up a potential payoff or punishment at the polls for one side or the other depending on the shape of the economy by the 2010 midterm elections, since both parties billed President Barack Obama's first major domestic initiative as historic in its scale.

The stakes could be highest for newly elected Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins, who just took over a conservative- leaning district and is expected to be targeted by Republicans.

She cited the unprecedented loss of 600,000 jobs nationally since the start of the year, and the estimated 8,400 jobs that could be saved or created in her district from the package of new spending and tax cuts targeted to working families and job-creating businesses.

"We know it will take time to turn this economy around, but experts across the political spectrum agree that inaction is not an option," Markey said in a statement released after the vote. "These are not ordinary times in America. The severity of this economic crisis demands bold action, and I am proud to pass this bill today to begin putting Americans back to work and our country back on its feet."

But the National Republican Congressional Committee wasted no time in singling her out.

"Markey's vote for this so-called 'stimulus' bill came at the expense of creating real jobs and delivering real relief to middle-class families who are seriously hurting during this economic crisis," an NRCC missive said.

Likewise, the National Republican Senatorial Committee blasted the yes vote by newly appointed Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Denver, who will have to defend his seat in his first-ever election campaign in 2010.

Thus began the argument that could be settled in November 2010.

Colorado appearance

President Obama isn't letting up his efforts to sell the plan to the American public. On Tuesday, he's expected to be in Colorado to highlight the stimulus plan's job-creating benefits, particularly the new spending and tax incentives meant to boost the state's renewable energy industry.

The package includes a $50 million boost to the state energy program, which funds Gov. Bill Ritter's "new energy economy" initiatives and $80 million for weatherization assistance programs in the state.

The legislation includes about $404 million for Colorado highway and bridge projects - enough to complete dozens of priority projects the state Department of Transportation has identified in every corner of the state. And the state stands to get just over $100 million of transit dollars, which could go to so- called "shovel-ready" projects, such as planned improvements to Denver's Union Station.

By far, the single biggest pot of money is Colorado's $752 million share of state "fiscal stabilization" funds, meant to prop up struggling state, municipal and school district coffers. Governors can direct some of the money to school renovations, public safety or other critical services, many of which have been facing severe cutbacks.

Some key players

Some Colorado lawmakers played key roles in winning passage of the legislation.

New Sens. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, and Bennet were part of a group of senators that tried to broker an initial compromise.

And on Friday, Rep. Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden, helped with the final vote.

Republicans were incensed about being forced to vote before getting enough time to view the legislation.

Perlmutter, filling in for an absent committee chairwoman, argued the Democratic position that the urgency of the country's economic crisis called for swift action.

"It has been discussed and debated over the past month in full view of the American people," Perlmutter said.

In the end, Perlmutter's urgency argument prevailed.

"We can't afford the status quo any more, ladies and gentlemen. We must act," Perlmutter said. "In Colorado we need this effort, we need these jobs, and so does the rest of the nation."

How they voted

* Voting for the final version of the stimulus package were Sens. Mark Udall, D-Eldorado Springs, and Michael Bennet, D-Denver, and Reps. Diana DeGette, D-Denver; Jared Polis, D-Boulder; John Salazar, D-Manassa; Betsy Markey, D-Fort Collins; Ed Perlmutter, D-Golden.

* Voting against the final version of the stimulus package were Reps. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs; Mike Coffman, R-Aurora.

What's in it for Colorado?

The $787 billion stimulus includes a mix of new spending and tax cuts intended to create new jobs and reverse the economic slide. Colorado stands to get up to a $2.8 billion share of new spending, although estimates vary. Here is some of the money expected to come to the state:

* $752.4 million of state fiscal stabilization funds (About two- thirds is for education programs, and the rest is for general state government purposes.)

* $403.9 million for highway projects

* $134.7 million for transit and other infrastructure

* $154.5 million in Part B grants for special education

* $126.7 million for Title I education programs for disadvantaged students

* $6 million for education technology

* $8 million for Head Start programs for children

* Slightly more than $800,000 for Medicaid programs

* $35 million for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund

* $32 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund

* $1.3 million for emergency food and shelter programs

* $1.3 million for commodity assistance programs

* $1.6 million for elderly assistance programs

* $6 million for employment services

* $43 million law enforcement grants

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