Frequently Asked Questions

The program aims to improve driver behavior and enforce adherence to posted speed limits to reduce crashes and fatalities in work zones, school zones and other high-risk corridors. Preliminary data shows that there were nine work zone fatalities in 2025, marking a 70% decrease since 2024 (30). Additionally, work zone crashes in Colorado caused 554 injuries in 2025, a nearly 8% decrease from 2024 (602). Nationally, work zones saw 96,000 crashes and 891 fatalities in 2022. By enforcing consistent and neutral enforcement, the goal is to encourage safer driving in high-risk areas and protect more people from serious crashes, injuries and death.

In 2023, the Colorado General Assembly passed Senate Bill 24-195, codified in Section 42-4-110.5, C.R.S., which expanded roadway enforcement to include AVIS. This statute allows state and local agencies to use camera technology to enforce speed compliance on designated highway corridors.

Motorists will see posted signage clearly indicating the active use of speed safety cameras. In work and school zones, signage will be placed at least 300 feet before an area where an automated vehicle identification system (AVIS) is in use and 300 feet before an active camera. In AVIS corridors, signage will be placed at least 300 feet before entering a designated AVIS corridor and 300 feet before an active speed safety camera within the corridor.

Yes. Civil penalties may be issued for speeding through a work zone that is part of the Colorado Speed Enforcement Program, even if work is not actively taking place. The nature of a work zone with adjusted lane configurations, construction equipment and uneven surfaces increases the likelihood of an excessive speed-related crash. Posted speed limits should be adhered to even if you cannot actively see on-site workers and/or work zone activity.

Colorado law requires public notification at least 30 days before a speed safety camera becomes active. Following public notice, drivers will receive warnings, not civil penalties, for at least another 30 days. Information about corridors where the Colorado Speed Enforcement program is active will be available on this website.

Enforcement sites are selected based on crash and speed data indicating high-risk corridors. Sites may also be chosen based on the viability of traditional in-person law enforcement in the corridor.

Notices of Violation are sent out within 30 days of the violation occurring where the vehicle involved is registered in the state of Colorado, or 60 days for vehicles registered outside of Colorado. The civil penalty for speeding in a work or school zone is $75. The civil penalty for speeding in designated AVIS Corridors is $40.

These civil penalties are considered civil violations. Drivers do not receive points on their licenses for civil penalties issued by an automated speed enforcement system.

As specified in Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-110.5, the registered owner of the vehicle remains liable for payment of the civil penalty even if the registered owner was not driving the motor vehicle at the time of the violation. The registered owner may obtain payment from the lessor or renter of the motor vehicle and forward the payment to the state. If the vehicle was stolen or recently sold, you can file a dispute.

Additional details about how to pay a fine are available at coloradospeedenforcement.com.

If a fine is not paid or the violation is not disputed within 45 days of the original notice of violation, the registered owner is given a civil penalty assessment:

• The civil penalty assessment must be paid within 30 days
• If this is not paid, a final order of liability will be issued

Under Colorado statute 42-4-110.5, the registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for speed enforcement violations. However, your rental agreement may include provisions that allow the rental agency to charge renters for such violations and associated fees.

If your rental agency has charged your credit card, please review your rental agreement and contact the rental agency directly with any questions or disputes regarding the charge. CDOT is unable to assist with or respond to inquiries related to rental agency billing practices.

Speed safety cameras are placed at least a quarter to a half-mile apart in the work zone. When a vehicle passes each camera, an image and a timestamp (including the vehicle’s license plate number) are captured. The system then calculates the average rate of speed between each camera by dividing the distance by the travel time. Drivers exceeding the speed limit will be fined $75.

No. While both systems use cameras, they serve different purposes. Flock cameras are used to help law enforcement and other associations locate stolen vehicles, respond to AMBER Alerts, find missing persons or assist with criminal investigations. CDOT does not operate Flock cameras.

CDOT’s Colorado Speed Enforcement program is focused specifically on roadway safety. The cameras used in this program are placed in targeted areas such as work zones, school zones and corridors with a history of serious speed-related crashes. They are used only to detect vehicles traveling above the posted speed limit in accordance with Colorado law.

Data collected through CDOT’s Colorado Speed Enforcement program is used only for limited purposes allowed under Colorado law. Cameras in active work zones are programmed to capture and retain images only when a speeding violation is detected.

The photos and video associated with a violation are confidential and protected by law, meaning they are not public records. This information is used only for necessary program operations, such as reviewing and processing violations or other law enforcement purposes permitted by law.
All collected footage is retained only as long as needed and is destroyed within three years after a violation has been resolved. CDOT is committed to protecting driver privacy and maintaining transparency in how the program operates.