CDOT’s New Colorado Speed Enforcement Program: Cameras, Locations & What to Expect

Colorado drivers may notice new signs and cameras popping up along certain highway work zones - it's the Colorado Speed Enforcement Program.

It’s all part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) new “Colorado Speed Enforcement Program”, an initiative designed to improve safety for both road workers and travelers by reducing speeding through construction areas.

Where Are the Cameras Located?

The first active enforcement corridor is on Colorado State Highway 119 (CO-119) — also known as the Diagonal Highway, which connects Boulder and Longmont.

The work-zone corridor stretches roughly between mile points 46.5 and 47.6, with multiple cameras monitoring both directions:

• Northbound: near mile points 46.74, 47.22, and 47.62
• Southbound: near mile points 46.55, 47.05, and 47.46

CDOT notes that cameras are spaced about a quarter to a half mile apart, using automated average-speed technology to measure each vehicle’s speed through the work zone.

How the System Works

Unlike traditional speed traps, the new program uses average-speed enforcement rather than single-point radar.

When a vehicle enters the monitored zone, the first camera records the time. As it exists, another camera records the end time. The system calculates the average speed based on distance and time traveled.

If that speed is 10 mph or more above the posted work-zone limit, a civil citation may be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. These are civil penalties only — meaning no driver’s license points are issued, but fines still apply.

Each new corridor begins with a 30-day warning period, during which only warning letters are sent to drivers exceeding the limit.

Why is cDot implementing a Colorado Speed Enforcement Program?

Colorado has seen an increase in work-zone crashes in recent years, many involving excessive speed. These incidents pose serious risks to both workers and motorists.

By introducing camera-based enforcement, CDOT aims to:

• Reduce speeding in active construction zones
• Improve worker and driver safety
• Encourage safer driving habits statewide

As CDOT notes, “Slowing down just a few miles per hour in a construction zone can save lives.”

How to Know If You’re in a Camera Zone

Every Colorado Speed Enforcement Program corridor includes clear, advanced signage:

“Camera Speed Enforcement Ahead”

Drivers will also see reduced speed limit signs, work zone markers, and sometimes flashing orange alerts. These are placed at all entry points to ensure motorists are aware of the enforcement area.

What’s Next for the Program

The CO-119 corridor is the pilot project, but CDOT has indicated that other Colorado Speed Enforcement Program zones may be added throughout Colorado in 2025 and beyond — particularly in long-term construction areas and high-risk corridors.

Updates will appear on CDOT’s Speed Enforcement Program page and in statewide traffic-safety news releases.

Tips for Drivers

• Obey posted work-zone speed limits.
• Allow extra travel time between Boulder and Longmont.
• Stay alert for orange signage and “camera ahead” warnings.
• Remember: this program’s goal is safety, not tickets.

By slowing down in work zones, drivers can protect Colorado’s road crews — and themselves.

Related Reading

If you’re planning to hit the road this season, check out our other travel-safety resources to stay prepared:

• Learn how to navigate icy conditions in our Colorado Winter Driving Tips
  guide.
• Explore smart ways to travel safely in warmer months with Safe Summer Travel in Colorado.
• Get real-time updates on closures and detours through our Colorado Traffic Updates
  page.

Together, these resources help ensure a safer, smoother journey wherever your Colorado adventures take you.