Express Lanes Safety and Toll Enforcement Program

What is The Express Lanes Safety and Toll Enforcement Program?

The Express Lanes Safety and Toll Enforcement Program is managed by the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO), the government-owned business within CDOT that oversees Colorado’s Express Lanes. The program encourages safe driving on CTIO’s network of Express Lanes by using sophisticated roadside technology to enforce Express Lane rules. Violators identified by this technology will be issued a civil penalty via mail based on the registered address of the vehicle’s license plate. Violations not paid within 20 days of issuance will increase to a $150 civil penalty. Video: Know the Rules of the Express Lanes.

Why was this program created?

The Express Lane rules are in place to keep all motorists safe and to keep traffic flowing along Colorado’s Express Lane corridors as efficiently as possible. Violators who ignore these rules present hazards to themselves and other roadway users. The Safety and Toll Enforcement Program supports CDOT’s Moving Toward Zero Deaths initiative—eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on Colorado roads.

Violations Currently Being Enforced

While the Safety and Toll Enforcement Program will eventually apply to all Express Lane corridors, current enforcement is in effect on the I-70 Mountain corridor between Idaho Springs and Empire, C-470 between I-25 and Wadsworth Boulevard, I-25 between US 36 and E-470, I-70 between I-25 and Chambers Road, and I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock. 

Enforcement will begin on April 7th, 2026, for I-25 between Berthoud and Fort Collins with a month-long grace period. During the grace period, drivers will receive warnings in the mail when they have been recorded committing a violation. Actual civil penalties will be issued for safety violations starting on May 7, 2026.

Enforcement in the I-70 Mountain Corridor, between Idaho Springs and Empire, began on July 21, 2023, and civil penalties are currently in effect. The Mountain Express Lanes are peak period shoulder lanes that relieve congestion during peak periods, such as holidays and weekends. The rest of the time, they operate as typical shoulders to be used only by two-axle vehicles for emergencies and breakdowns. Video: Know the rules Colorado’s Mountain Express Lanes.

Enforcement on C-470 between I-25 and Wadsworth Boulevard and I-25 between US36 and E470 began on Sept.1, 2023, and civil penalties are currently in effect.

Enforcement on I-70 between I-25 and Chambers Road and I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock began on Jan 1, 2025, and civil penalties are currently in effect.

Enforcement on I-25 between Berthoud and Fort Collins will begin on May 7, 2026, following a 30-day warning period.

Express Lane Rules:

  1. Drivers can only enter and exit the Express Lanes through a dashed line at designated points. Entering or exiting at any other point is dangerous, constitutes a failure to adhere to Express Lane rules, and failure to pay a toll.
    1. On some Colorado Express Lane corridors, a dashed line may be paired with a solid white line. In those instances, drivers can only enter the Express Lanes if they are closest to the dashed line. If the solid line is on their side, they need to stay put, or they will receive a fine. 
    2. In some areas, an entrance or exit lane helps vehicles merge in and out of the Express Lanes. Drivers should follow traffic signs and arrows guiding vehicles in and out of the lanes. Entering in an exit-only area or exiting at an entry-only area by crossing over a solid line is considered a violation.
  2. Drivers cannot use the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes outside of operating hours, except in an emergency or as an authorized emergency vehicle.
  3. Due to the narrow nature of the Mountain Express Lanes, no vehicle with more than two axles or exceeding 25 feet in length can travel in these Express Lanes at any time.

Express Lanes Violations Diagram 

Violations on the I-70 Mountain Express Lane include entering/exiting outside authorized access zones, unauthorized vehicles on I-70 Mountain Express Lanes and vehicles using I-70 Mountain Express Lanes outside operating hours. This is due to safety hazards presented when vehicles cross from the general purpose lanes, the narrow 11-foot width of the lanes, and the nature of the lanes being used as emergency shoulders when closed.

Infographic demonstrating the three different types of Express Lane Violations and why the rules are in place (PDF) 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What should I do if I’m being pulled over in an Express Lane or if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and siren needs to pass?

If you are subject to a traffic stop in the Express Lane or if there is an emergency vehicle behind you with lights and siren that needs to pass, you are permitted to cross the solid lines to your right to move out of the way, or in the case of a traffic stop, pull all the way over to the right shoulder and stop. Do not attempt to pull over on the left hand shoulder, which is only for emergency breakdowns.

You will not be subject to a civil penalty for crossing the solid lines out of the Express Lane for an emergency vehicle. However, you cannot cross back over the solid lines to re-enter. You must wait for the next designated entrance to re-enter. If you receive a notice of civil penalty assessment for exiting because of an emergency vehicle with lights and siren requiring you to cross the solid lines and exit, you can dispute the civil penalty at expresslanesafety.com.

When traveling in the general-purpose lanes, can I use the segment of an Express Lane with dashed lines as a passing lane if I don’t cross the solid lines?

No. The dashed segments of an Express Lane should only be used to enter and exit the Express Lane, not as a passing lane.

What should I do if I’m directed in/out of the Express Lanes due to a disabled vehicle or another reason?

Follow the directions of on-site first responders or overhead signage to safely navigate in/out of the Express Lanes. If drivers are routed in/out of the Express Lane by authorities due to a reported traffic incident, CTIO will waive civil penalties for crossing the solid lines in that scenario.

If you receive a notice of civil penalty assessment for following the directions of first responders to cross the solid line, you can dispute the civil penalty at expresslanesafety.com.

Can I cross back over the solid lines of the Express Lanes if I was directed out of them due to a disabled vehicle or law enforcement direction?

No. If you are directed out of the Express Lanes by authorities due to a reported traffic incident, CTIO will waive civil penalties for crossing the solid lines. However, CTIO will not waive civil penalties for crossing back into the Express Lanes over the solid lines following the traffic incident. Once you are driving in the general purpose lanes, you will need to wait until the next designated entrance point, marked by dashed lines, to enter the Express Lane again.

If I have a switchable transponder or sticker pass, can I cross over the solid lines?

No. Having a switchable transponder or sticker pass is the most cost-efficient way to use the Express Lanes, but you are still responsible for following the Express Lane rules. Crossing over the solid lines into or out of an Express Lane, regardless of whether you have a switchable transponder or sticker pass, will result in a civil penalty.

What if there is an object in the Express Lane or the general-purpose lane? Will I be assessed a civil penalty for crossing the solid lines to avoid it?

Crossing the solid lines to avoid an object on the highway may result in a notice of civil penalty assessment being sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, but the civil penalty can be disputed at expresslanesafety.com. Photo evidence may be used to verify the claim that an object was obstructing one of the lanes.

If I am about to miss my exit, is it OK to exit the Express Lane over the solid lines?

No. Unless there is an immediate safety threat, crossing the solid lines will result in a civil penalty. To avoid a civil penalty, stay in the Express Lane until the dedicated exit, marked by dashed lines, and reroute to your destination.

What if the vehicle in front of me in the Express Lanes is traveling slowly? Can I cross the lines to get around it?

No. Crossing the solid lines to pass a vehicle traveling in the Express Lanes is not permitted. Always remember that speed limits still apply in the Express Lanes, and they are not intended to be used as a passing lane.

If I enter a closed Express Lane, but don’t cross the solid lines, will I be assessed a civil penalty?

Yes. The Safety and Toll Enforcement Program monitors unauthorized use of closed Express Lanes. If you travel in a closed Express Lane, you will receive a civil penalty.

I accidentally crossed the solid lines into the Express Lanes because the striping was covered by snow. Will I receive a civil penalty?

If you receive a civil penalty for unintentionally crossing the solid lines due to snowy conditions, you can dispute the civil penalty at expresslanesafety.com. Photo evidence will be used to verify the claim.

I accidentally drifted into the Express Lane. Will I receive a civil penalty?

Yes. Accidentally drifting into the Express Lanes will result in a civil penalty. 

I entered/exited the Express Lanes where there was a dashed line adjacent to a solid line. Will I receive a civil penalty?

In areas where entry and egress points are marked with a dashed line adjacent to a solid line, you may only enter or exit when the dashed line is on your side. If you cross when the lines are solid on your side but dashed on the far side, you will still receive a civil penalty.

How do I pay for a civil penalty I received?

There are several ways to pay, including:

  • Online at expresslanesafety.com
  • Make a payment with your notice number using our automated phone system at 1-(800) 343-2633.
  • Scan the QR code on your Notice of Civil Penalty to find store locations or pay on your mobile device

SCAM ALERT: Colorado does not collect Express Lanes tolls or civil penalties by text. Any texts requesting the user to pay for Express Lanes tolls or civil penalties is a scam. For more information, go to ExpressLaneSafety.com or to codot.gov/programs/expresslanes.

Express Lanes Striping You May Encounter 

Video: Know the Lines  
Two lanes, dashed and solid lines. Two solid lines give way to either a single dashed or double dashed line. Vehicles can enter or exit through the dashed lines only.               
Graphic of cars driving on a road. One car is between the solid yellow shoulder and a single dashed line. Another car drives between a double solid line and a single dashed line. Text overlay reads: Double solid to single or double dashed.
Similar to striping on mountain roads where you may pass other vehicles, in some areas, a dashed line is adjacent to a solid line. Vehicles may only cross if the dashed line is adjacent to them (on their side). If the solid line is on their side, they need to stay put or they will receive a fine.
Graphic of a car driving alongside a solid line in two images. The placement of the solid line switches between the images. Text overlay reads: One solid and dashed line side-by-side. 
In some areas, an ingress or egress lane helps vehicles merge in and out of the Express Lanes. Vehicles should follow traffic signs and arrows guiding vehicles in and out of the lanes. If the line is solid, drivers must wait for a dashed line to enter or exit the lane. They cannot cross over the line.           
 
Graphic of cars driving on a road. One car is between a solid yellow shoulder and a solid line. Another car enters a right turn lane between one solid line and one dashed line. Text overlay reads: Two lanes, dashed and solid lines. 
  The Mountain Express Lanes have a single, yellow solid line that gives way to a single, yellow dashed line for ingress and egress. Vehicles may enter and exit through the dashed lines only.
Graphic of two cars driving on the road next to one solid yellow road lane stripe that transitions to a dashed stripe. Text overlay on the graphic reads: One solid into one dashed.

Penalty and Payment

Violations on the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes between Idaho Springs and Empire, C-470 between I-25 and Wadsworth Boulevard, I-70 between I-25 and Chambers Road, I-25 between Monument and Castle Rock, and I-25 between US 36 and E470 will result in a $75 civil penalty. Violations not paid within 20 days of issuance will increase to a $150 civil penalty.

There are several ways to pay, including:

  • Online at ExpressLaneSafety.com
  • Make a payment with your notice number using our automated phone system at 1-(800)-343-2633.

SCAM ALERT: Colorado does not collect Express Lanes tolls or fines by text. Any texts requesting the user to pay for Express Lanes tolls or fines is a scam. For more information, go to ExpressLaneSafety.com or to codot.gov/programs/expresslanes 

CORA 

CTIO is a government-owned business within the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Any Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests should be submitted pursuant to the CDOT's CORA procedure, which is located here.