Watch out for Colorado's new highway speed cameras

• The new speed enforcement program is designed to reduce speed-related crashes in high-risk areas, such as work and school zones.

By the numbers: Colorado recorded 1,366 wrecks in work zones in 2024, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Transportation.

• The 31 crash-related fatalities doubled the previous year's tally.

State of play: The first five cameras went live Monday in both directions of a work zone along the Diagonal Highway, or Colorado 119 between Jay Road and Lookout Road, Ben Acimovic, a CDOT traffic operations manager, told us.

• More cameras are expected to debut in early 2026 after the agency analyzes data from the pilot program on Highway 119, Acimovic said.

How it works: Using license plate reading technology, the state is targeting motorists traveling 10mph or more above the speed limit.

• The state is issuing warning violations for the first months. A $75 fine will take effect at an unspecified date this fall.

What they're saying: The move follows other states that have found reductions in crashes, fatalities and speeding with the use of speed cameras.

• "Speeding is one of the top two causes of crashes in our community and it's everyone's responsibility to drive safely and obey the speed limit," Boulder Police chief Stephen Redfearn said in a statement.

The other side: Some consider Colorado's traffic surveillance cameras, which until now have been more limited in scope, a violation of privacy.

• Other key concerns include whether the program functions as a revenue-generating initiative, the accuracy of the cameras and the challenges of the appeal process.

The fine print: Even if workers are not present, the work zone speed limit applies, per state law. The registered owner of the car will receive the ticket regardless of whether they were driving.

• No license points are issued because it's a civil infraction.