ColoradoSB26-1522026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Changes Automated Vehicle Identification System Usage

Sponsored By: Byron Pelton (Republican), Carlos Barron (Republican), Jenny Willford (Democratic), Matt Ball (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Transportation & Motor Vehicles

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Camera corridors need signs and evidence

Governments must place permanent signs at least 300 feet before camera corridors and each fixed camera. Mobile cameras need temporary signs at least 300 feet ahead. Corridors need crash, speeding, or reckless-driving data from the previous five years; community complaints alone are not enough. Systems used only for transit-lane enforcement are exempt from that data rule and instead need permanent signs no more than one-half mile apart. Local governments must publish annual reports showing camera citation counts and corridor revenue.

Camera vendors cannot share ticket revenue

State and local governments cannot pay traffic-camera vendors based on ticket counts or ticket revenue, or give them collected fines. Contracts cannot include related bonuses, incentives, or payment increases; compensation must reflect the equipment and services provided. Fixed payments cannot vary with citation counts or revenue, and the law also specifies a flat monthly compensation format. The law applies to conduct and contracts entered into or renewed on or after its effective date. That date is 12:01 a.m. the day after 90 days following final adjournment of the 2026 session; a filed referendum petition instead requires voter approval in November 2026 and the governor's official declaration.

Drivers get notice before new cameras

Agencies must announce new, nonreplacement traffic-camera systems on their websites and existing social media accounts at least 30 days before use. Signs at each installation location must also be posted at least 30 days before use. During the first 30 days after installation or deployment, agencies can issue only written warnings. Camera notice signs must use uppercase letters at least 4 inches high and lowercase letters at least 3 inches high.

Higher camera speeding caps for drivers

Repeat camera violations of 6–9 mph over, and violations of 10–24 mph over, have a $40 cap before January 1, 2035. Beginning that date, the cap is $50, doubled to $100 in school or designated maintenance, repair, or construction zones. For speeding at least 25 mph over the reasonable and prudent speed, the cap is $120 before that date and $150 afterward. These caps include surcharges, and actual fines can be lower. The law also brings extreme-speed violations under camera-system rules, including driving at least 25 mph above the 75 mph maximum; the earlier repeat-and-moderate-speed provision is repealed January 1, 2036.

Higher signal and school-bus camera fines

Camera-detected traffic-signal violations have a maximum fine of $75 before January 1, 2035, and $95 beginning that date. Illegally passing a stopped school bus with its signal lights activated carries a $300 maximum before that date. Beginning January 1, 2035, the school-bus maximum rises to $375. The caps include applicable surcharges or fees; actual fines can be lower.

Drivers get limits on minor fines

Camera speeding below 6 mph over the reasonable and prudent speed carries no fine outside school or designated work zones. In those zones, the cap is $40, including surcharges. A first violation of 6–9 mph over receives a mailed warning without a fine; the text also lists school and work-zone caps of $40 before January 1, 2035, and $50 afterward, without clearly resolving their overlap with warnings. During variable limits or temporary reductions for weather or traffic hazards, agencies can issue camera fines only above the regular posted limit. That temporary-limit protection does not apply to designated maintenance, repair, or construction zones.

Vehicle owners face fines with exceptions

Registered owners are responsible for camera fines, but exceptions cover prior sales or transfers, theft, rentals, a separate traffic citation, or the owner's death before the violation. Owners or eligible representatives generally must submit an affidavit with the penalty number within 30 days after the notice is issued. Required proof includes sale records, a police report, or a certified death certificate and additional documents, depending on the exception. No affidavit is required when a leased vehicle was registered in the lessee's name; sufficient proof requires dismissal and written confirmation. Submitting a false affidavit is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Nick Hinrichsen
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 205 • No: 22

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

House amendments: Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/13/2026

House amendments: Repass

Yes: 32 • No: 3

House vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 51 • No: 14

House vote • 5/8/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-152, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/5/2026