2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 42 - VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC (§§ 42-1-101 — 42-21-106) › REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC (§§ 42-4-101 — 42-4-2501) › Article 4 - REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC (§§ 42-4-101 — 42-4-2501) › Part 1 - TRAFFIC REGULATION - GENERALLY (§§ 42-4-101 — 42-4-118) › Section 42-4-110.5 - Automated vehicle identification systems - exceptions to liability - penalty - limits on use of photographs and video - rules - legislative declaration - definitions

(1)
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the enforcement of traffic laws through the use of automated vehicle identification systems under this section is a matter of statewide concern and is an area in which uniform state standards are necessary.
(1.1)
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a)
(I)
"Automated vehicle identification system" means a system whereby:
(A)
A machine is used to automatically detect a violation of a traffic regulation and simultaneously record a photograph of the vehicle and the license plate of the vehicle; and
(B)
A notice of violation or civil penalty assessment notice may be issued to the registered owner of the motor vehicle.
(II)
"Automated vehicle identification system" includes a system used to detect a violation of part 11 of this article 4 or a local speed ordinance, a system used to detect violations of traffic restrictions imposed by traffic signals or traffic signs, and a system used to detect violations of bus lane or bicycle lane restrictions.
(b)
"State", notwithstanding section 42-1-102 (95), means the state of Colorado acting through the Colorado state patrol in the department of public safety or the department of transportation.
(c)
"State highway" means any highway that is owned by or maintained by the state. "State highway" does not include a public highway operated by a public highway authority in accordance with the "Public Highway Authority Law", part 5 of article 4 of title 43.
(1.4)
Nothing in this section applies to the use of automated vehicle identification systems for the purpose of collecting tolls, fees, or civil penalties in accordance with part 5 of article 4 of title 43 and section 43-4-808.
(1.5)
Except for the authorization contained in subsection (1.7) of this section, nothing in this section applies to a violation detected by an automated vehicle identification system for driving twenty-five miles per hour or more in excess of the reasonable and prudent speed or twenty-five miles per hour or more in excess of the maximum speed limit of seventy-five miles per hour detected by the use of an automated vehicle identification system.
(1.7)
[Repealed by 2024 amendment]
(2)
A county, city and county, or municipality may adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of an automated vehicle identification system to detect violations of traffic regulations adopted by the county, city and county, or municipality, or the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality may utilize an automated vehicle identification system to detect traffic violations under state law, subject to the following conditions and limitations and, as applicable, the requirements for state highways set forth in and any rules adopted by the department of transportation pursuant to subsection (2.5) of this section
(a)
(I)
(Deleted by amendment, l. 2002, p. 570, § 1, effective May 24, 2002.)
(II)
If the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality detects any alleged violation of a county or municipal traffic regulation or a traffic violation under state law through the use of an automated vehicle identification system, then the state, county, city and county, or municipality shall issue, or cause its vendor to issue, to the registered owner of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation, by first-class mail, personal service, or by any mail delivery service offered by an entity other than the United States postal service that is equivalent to or superior to first-class mail with respect to delivery speed, reliability, and price, a notice of violation:
(A)
Within thirty days after the alleged violation occurred if the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation is registered in the state; or
(B)
Within sixty days after the alleged violation occurred if the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation is registered outside of the state.
(III)
The notice of violation must contain:
(A)
The name and address of the registered owner of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation;
(B)
The license plate number of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation;
(C)
The date, time, and location of the alleged violation;
(D)
The amount of the civil penalty prescribed for the alleged violation;
(E)
The deadline for payment of the prescribed civil penalty and for disputing the alleged violation; and
(F)
Information on how the registered owner may either dispute the alleged violation in a hearing or pay the prescribed civil penalty.
(IV)
If the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality does not receive the prescribed civil penalty or a written notice requesting a hearing to dispute the alleged violation by the deadline stated on the notice of violation, which deadline must not be less than forty-five days after the issuance date on the notice of violation, the state, county, city and county, or municipality shall issue, or cause its vendor to issue, by first-class mail, personal service, or by any mail delivery service offered by an entity other than the United States postal service that is equivalent to or superior to first-class mail with respect to delivery speed, reliability, and price, a civil penalty assessment notice for the alleged violation to the registered owner of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation no later than thirty days after the deadline on the notice of violation.
(V)
The civil penalty assessment notice must contain:
(A)
The name and address of the registered owner of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation;
(B)
The license plate of the motor vehicle involved in the alleged violation;
(C)
The date, time, and location of the alleged violation;
(D)
The amount of the civil penalty prescribed for the alleged violation;
(E)
The deadline for payment of the prescribed civil penalty;
(F)
Information on how to pay the prescribed civil penalty.
(VI)
If the registered owner of the motor vehicle fails to request a hearing to dispute the alleged violation by the deadline stated in the notice of violation, the registered owner waives any right to contest the violation or the amount of the prescribed civil penalty.
(VII)
If the registered owner of the motor vehicle fails to pay in full the prescribed civil penalty by the deadline stated in the civil penalty assessment notice, a final order of liability shall be entered against the registered owner of the vehicle.
(VIII)
Final orders may be appealed as to matters of law and fact to the county court in the county where the alleged violation or the municipal court in the municipality where the alleged violation occurred. The registered owner of the motor vehicle may assert in an appeal that a notice of violation served by first-class mail or other mail delivery service was not actually delivered. The appeal shall be a de novo hearing.
(IX)
the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not initiate or pursue a collection action against a registered owner of a motor vehicle for a debt resulting from an unpaid penalty assessed pursuant to this section unless the registered owner is personally served the notice of violation or the final order of liability.
(X)
If the registered owner of a motor vehicle involved in a traffic violation under state law or under traffic regulations adopted by a county, city and county, or municipality is engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles, the registered owner remains liable for payment of the civil penalty even if the registered owner was not driving the motor vehicle but may obtain payment from the lessor or renter of the motor vehicle and forward the payment to the state or the county, city and county, or municipality imposing the civil penalty.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other provision of the statutes to the contrary, the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not report to the department any conviction or entry of judgment against a defendant for violation of a county or municipal traffic regulation or a traffic violation under state law if the violation was detected through the use of an automated vehicle identification system.
(c)
Repealed.
(d)
(I)
The state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not use an automated vehicle identification system to detect a violation of part 11 of this article 4 or a local speed ordinance unless there is posted an appropriate temporary or permanent sign in a conspicuous place not fewer than three hundred feet before the area in which the automated vehicle identification system is to be used notifying the public that an automated vehicle identification system is in use immediately ahead. The requirement of this subsection (2)(d)(I) shall not be deemed satisfied by the posting of a permanent sign or signs at the borders of a county, city and county, or municipality, nor by the posting of a permanent sign in an area in which an automated vehicle identification system is to be used, but this subsection (2)(d)(I) shall not be deemed a prohibition against the posting of such permanent signs.
(II)
Except as provided in subsection (2)(d)(I) of this section, an automated vehicle identification system designed to detect disobedience to a traffic control signal or another violation of this article 4 or a local traffic ordinance shall not be used unless the state, county, city and county, or municipality using such system conspicuously posts a sign notifying the public that an automated vehicle identification system is in use immediately ahead. The sign shall:
(A)
Be placed in a conspicuous location not fewer than two hundred feet nor more than five hundred feet before the automated vehicle identification system; and
(B)
Use lettering that is at least four inches high for upper case letters and two and nine-tenths inches high for lower case letters.
(e)
(I)
If the state, county, city and county, or municipality implements a new automated vehicle identification system after July 1, 2023, that is not a replacement of an automated vehicle identification system:
(A)
The agency responsible for the automated vehicle identification system shall publicly announce the implementation of the system through its website for at least thirty days prior to the use of the system; and
(B)
For the first thirty days after the system is installed or deployed, only warnings may be issued for violations of a county or municipal traffic regulation or traffic violation under state law detected by the system.
(II)
A state, county, city and county, or municipality may conduct an extended public information campaign or warning period for systems installed or deployed either before or after July 1, 2023.
(f)
[Deleted by 2023 amendment.]
(g)
(I)
The state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not issue a notice of violation or civil penalty assessment notice for a violation detected using an automated vehicle identification system unless the violation occurred within a school zone, as defined in section
42-4-615
; within a residential neighborhood; within a maintenance, construction, or repair zone designated pursuant to section
42-4-614
; along a street that borders a municipal park; or along a street or portion of a street that a county, city and county, or municipality, by ordinance or by a resolution of its governing body, designates as an automated vehicle identification corridor, on which designated corridor the county, city and county, or municipality may locate an automated vehicle identification system to detect violations of a county, city and county, or municipal traffic regulation or a traffic violation under state law.
(A)
(B)
(C)
(I.3)
Before a county, a city and county, or a municipality designates an automated vehicle identification corridor on a state highway, the county, city and county, or municipality shall notify the department of transportation. If a county, city and county, or municipality designates an automated vehicle identification corridor on a state highway by ordinance or resolution before January 1, 2025, it may proceed without having provided this notification to the department of transportation.
(I.4)
After a county, city and county, or a municipality designates an automated vehicle identification corridor on a state highway, the county, city and county, or municipality shall coordinate with the department of transportation. Coordination must include demonstrating that the requirements set forth in subsection (2)(g)(I.7)(B) of this section have been met and, if needed, applying for a special use permit to install any devices or signage on department of transportation right-of-way if the segment of highway in question is maintained by the state. A county, city and county, or municipality shall alert the department of transportation when the automated vehicle identification corridor begins operations or permanently ceases operations on a state highway. The department of transportation shall notify the Colorado state patrol when a county, city and county, or municipality coordinates with the department of transportation to establish an automated vehicle identification corridor on a state highway.
(I.5)
Before a county, city and county, or municipality begins the operation of an automated vehicle identification system in an automated vehicle identification corridor on a county road, the county, city and county, or municipality shall notify the Colorado state patrol.
(I.6)
Before the state designates an automated vehicle identification corridor on a state highway located within the boundaries of a county, a city and county, or a municipality, and before the state begins operation of an automated vehicle identification corridor on a state highway, the state shall coordinate with the respective county, city and county, or municipality.
(I.7)
Before the state, a county, city and county, or municipality begins operation of an automated vehicle identification system in an automated vehicle identification corridor, the state, county, city and county, or municipality must:
(A)
Post a permanent sign in a conspicuous place not fewer than three hundred feet before the beginning of the corridor; and
(B)
Post a permanent sign not fewer than three hundred feet before each static camera within the corridor thereafter or a temporary sign not fewer than three hundred feet before any mobile camera; except that, for an automated vehicle identification corridor on which an automated vehicle identification system is used on transit vehicles for the purpose of detecting unauthorized use of a transit-only lane, post permanent signs at one-half mile or more frequent intervals; and
(C)
Illustrate, through data collected within the past five years, incidents of crashes, speeding, reckless driving, or community complaints on a street designated as an automated vehicle identification corridor unless the automated vehicle identification system will be used exclusively to detect unauthorized usage of one or more transit-only lanes.
(II)
As used in this subsection (2)(g), unless the context otherwise requires, "residential neighborhood" means any block on which a majority of the improvements along both sides of the street are residential dwellings and the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less.
(III)
This subsection (2)(g) does not apply to an automated vehicle identification system designed to detect disobedience to a traffic control signal.
(IV)
The state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality implementing an automated vehicle identification corridor pursuant to subsection (2)(g)(I) of this section shall publish a report on its website disclosing the number of citations and revenue generated by the automated vehicle identification corridor.
(V)
(A)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2)(g)(I) of this section, the state may locate an automated vehicle identification system on a highway that is a part of the federal interstate highway system and may issue a notice of violation or a civil penalty assessment notice for a traffic violation under state law detected using the automated vehicle identification system.
(B)
A county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not locate an automated vehicle identification system or create an automated vehicle identification corridor on any highway that is a part of the federal interstate highway system.
(h)
the state, A county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not require a registered owner of a vehicle to disclose the identity of a driver of the vehicle who is detected through the use of an automated vehicle identification system. However, the registered owner may be required to submit evidence that the owner was not the driver at the time of the alleged violation.
(2.5)
(a)
The state may use an automated vehicle identification system on any portion of a state highway. The department of transportation may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section relating to the use of automated vehicle identification systems by the department of transportation on state highways and prioritization for the use of automated vehicle identification systems by other entities on state highways, including but not limited to rules that:
(I)
Specify prioritization criteria that the department of transportation will use to determine which entity is authorized to use an automated vehicle identification system if multiple entities seek authorization to use an automated vehicle identification system on the same portion of a state highway. The criteria must specify that the department of transportation must give preference to an entity that has the primary responsibility for regulation and enforcement of traffic restrictions on the portion of a state highway on which an automated vehicle identification system is to be used.
(II)
Specify, consistent with the requirements of subsection (2)(a) of this section, the process that the state will use to notify a county, city and county, or municipality that the state will be using an automated vehicle identification system within its jurisdiction and the administrative and enforcement process that the department of transportation will use to administer, hear, and resolve a traffic violation detected through the use by the department of transportation of an automated vehicle identification system;
(III)
Establish, subject to the caps set forth in subsections (4)(b) and (4.5) of this section and any other provision of law, the amount of civil penalties imposed for traffic violations detected through the use by the department of transportation of an automated vehicle identification system;
(IV)
Establish an administrative hearing process that complies with subsections (2)(a)(IV) through (2)(a)(VIII) of this section, including the ability to retain and contract with impartial hearing officers and the ability for impartial hearing officers to issue final orders required by subsection (2)(a)(VII) of this section; and
(V)
Provide, consistent with this section, any additional requirements, guidance, or clarification that the department of transportation deems necessary or appropriate to implement this section.
(b)
It is the intent of the general assembly that the department of transportation consult with the Colorado state patrol when promulgating rules relating to the use of automated vehicle identification systems and before authorizing the use of an automated vehicle identification system by the state or a county, a city and county, or a municipality on any portion of a state highway. It is also the intent of the general assembly that the department of transportation consult with counties, city and counties, and municipalities when promulgating rules relating to the use of automated vehicle identification systems.
(c)
The provisions of this subsection (2.5) do not apply to an automated vehicle identification system on a state highway that a county, city and county, or municipality has implemented or designated by ordinance or resolution before January 1, 2025, or before the department of transportation adopts rules pursuant to subsection (2.5)(a) of this section, whichever occurs later. This subsection (2.5) does not require a county, city and county, or municipality to remove or stop the implementation of an automated vehicle identification system that was placed on any portion of a state highway or designated by ordinance or resolution before January 1, 2025, or before the department of transportation adopts rules pursuant to subsection (2.5)(a) of this section, whichever occurs later.
(3)
The department has no authority to assess any points against a license under section
42-2-127
upon entry of a conviction or judgment for a violation of a county or municipal traffic regulation or a traffic violation under state law if the violation was detected through the use of an automated vehicle identification system. The department shall not keep any record of such violation in the official records maintained by the department under section
42-2-121
.
(4)
(a)
If the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality detects a speeding violation of less than ten miles per hour over the reasonable and prudent speed under a county or municipal traffic regulation or under state law through the use of an automated vehicle identification system and the violation is the first violation by the registered owner that the state, county, city and county, or municipality has detected using an automated vehicle identification system, then the state, county, city and county, or municipality may mail the registered owner a warning regarding the violation, but the state, county, city and county, or municipality shall not impose any penalty or surcharge for such first violation.
(b)
(I)
If the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality detects a second or subsequent speeding violation under a county or municipal traffic regulation or under state law by the registered owner, or a first such violation by the registered owner, if the provisions of subsection (4)(a) of this section do not apply, through the use of an automated vehicle identification system, then, except as may be permitted in subsection (4)(b)(II) of this section, the maximum penalty that the state, county, city and county, or municipality may impose for such violation, including any surcharge, is forty dollars.
(II)
If any violation described in subsection (4)(b)(I) of this section occurs within a school zone, as defined in section
42-4-615
, the maximum penalty that may be imposed shall be doubled.
(III)
Subsection (4)(b)(I) of this section does not apply within a maintenance, construction, or repair zone designated pursuant to section
42-4-614
or a school zone, as defined in section 42-4-615 (2).
(4.5)
(a)
If the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality detects a violation of a county, city and county, or municipal traffic regulation or traffic violation under state law for disobedience to a traffic control signal through the use of an automated vehicle identification system, the maximum civil penalty that the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality may impose for such violation, including any surcharge, is seventy-five dollars.
(b)
Subsection (4.5)(a) of this section does not apply within a maintenance, construction, or repair zone designated pursuant to section 42-4-614 or a school zone, as defined in section 42-4-615 (2).
(4.7)
If a registered owner fails to pay a penalty imposed for a violation of a county or municipal traffic regulation or a traffic violation under state law detected using an automated vehicle identification system, the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality shall not attempt to enforce such a penalty by immobilizing the registered owner's vehicle.
(5)
If the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality has established an automated vehicle identification system for the enforcement of county or municipal traffic regulations or state traffic laws, then no portion of any fine collected through the use of such system may be paid to the manufacturer or vendor of the automated vehicle identification system equipment. The compensation paid by the state, county, city and county, or municipality for such equipment shall be based upon the value of such equipment and the value of any services provided to the state, county, city and county, or municipality and may not be based upon the number of traffic citations issued or the revenue generated by such equipment or services.
(6)
[Repealed by 2024 amendment]
(7)
the state, county, city and county, or municipality and any vendor operating an automated vehicle identification system shall, unless otherwise provided in this section:
(a)
Program the automated vehicle identification system to retain data only when a violation of a county or municipal traffic regulation or traffic violation under state law occurs;
(b)
Treat all photographs and video collected by the automated motor vehicle identification system as confidential and exempt from disclosure and inspection pursuant to the "Colorado Open Records Act", part 2 of article 72 of title 24;
(c)
Not use, disclose, sell, or permit access to photographs, video, or personal identifiable data collected by the automated motor vehicle identification system except to the extent necessary to operate the program, including for purposes of processing violations, for other law enforcement purposes, for transferring data to a new vendor or operating system, or, pursuant to a court order, for use in unrelated legal proceedings; and
(d)
Destroy any photographs and video of a violation collected by the automated vehicle identification system within three years after the final disposition of the violation unless the photographs or video are maintained in a separate system for other purposes allowed by law.
(8)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the aggregate amount of revenue, exclusive of court and operations costs, collected by the state as civil penalties for violations detected by automated vehicle identification systems must be credited to the state highway fund and used by the department only to fund road safety projects, as defined in section 43-4-803 (21), of the type described in section 43-4-803 (21)(b). The department shall prioritize funding to those road safety projects with the highest potential to reduce vulnerable road user injuries and fatalities while taking into account the planning capacity of each region.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 432,§ 1, eff. 6/5/2024.
Amended by 2023 Ch. 354,§ 1, eff. 6/5/2023 except that subsection (3) takes effect 1/1/2024.
Amended by 2021 Ch. 460, § 16, eff. 1/1/2022.
L. 97: Entire section added, p. 1667, § 1, effective June 5. L. 99: (1.5) and (4.5) added and (2), (4), and (5) amended, p. 612, § 1, effective May 17. L. 2002: (2)(a), (2)(d), and (4.5) amended and (2)(f), (2)(g), and (4.7) added, pp. 570, 572, §§ 1, 2, effective May 24. L. 2004: (2)(d) amended, p. 351, § 1, effective August 4. L. 2008: (1.5) and (2)(g)(I) amended and (1.7) and (4)(b)(III) added, pp. 2080, 2081, §§ 4, 5, effective June 3. L. 2009: (2)(d) amended, (SB 09-222), ch. 629, p. 629, § 1, effective August 5. L. 2021: (2)(c) repealed, (HB 21-1314), ch. 3101, p. 3101, § 16, effective 1/1/2022.
Section 22 of chapter 460 (HB 21-1314), Session Laws of Colorado 2021, provides that the act changing this section applies to offenses committed and applications submitted on or after January 1, 2022.
Section 1 of chapter 412, Session Laws of Colorado 2008, provides that the act amending subsections (1.5) and (2)(g)(I) and enacting subsections (1.7) and (4)(b)(III) shall be known and may be cited as the "Charles Mather Highway Safety Act".