Speed cameras to send citations from Colorado highways in July

If you have a lead foot, you’re always risking getting a speeding ticket from an actual cop, but soon, you’ll be more likely to get one in Colorado thanks to new cameras.

The Colorado Department of Transportation launched the Colorado Speed Enforcement Program with cameras being installed along Colorado Highway 119 between Boulder and Longmont, where construction is taking place. Warnings will be issued starting July 21.

The new Automated Vehicle Identification Systems cameras deployed in high-risk corridors will identify vehicles traveling an average of 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit.

Speeding vehicles will be photographed and timestamped at two points along the highway. The system then calculates the average speed between each camera. Vehicles traveling an average of 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit will be issued a $75 civil penalty.

CDOT is focusing on construction work zones for now, but the program is expected to expand into school zones and other high-risk corridors in the future.

There will be a warning period before civil penalties are enforced. Violators will receive only one warning, regardless of the number of times they violate the program. Warnings and notices will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner within 30 days of the violation.

All active enforcement zones will be published on codot.gov, there will be signs saying that cameras are being used for enforcement, and each location will include that warning period of at least 30 days.