Starting this spring, if drivers speed through a highway construction zone in Colorado, they could get a ticket without ever being pulled over.
Photo speed cameras are coming to the state's highways as a part of the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) $5 million effort to reduce crashes.
Speeding is the leading cause of crashes in Colorado, according to a report from Denver 7 News. In 2024, Colorado State Patrol investigated 573 speed-related crashes with injuries or fatalities—only a slight improvement from the 688 speed-related crashes in 2023.
After studying radar cameras in other states like Connecticut and Maryland, Colorado officials hope they can improve safety on roadways.
CDOT said the rollout will start in construction zones since fatalities in such zones nearly doubled from 2023 to 2024. Eventually, CDOT will expand automated enforcement to other areas where drivers exceed limits. The exact locations haven't been disclosed.
Colorado law requires drivers to be notified at least 300 feet before approaching the camera. The law also requires the camera to only issue warnings for the first 30 days. After that grace period, speeders will receive fines starting at $45.
Source: Denver 7 News, Denver Post
