(1) Any person who commits a moving traffic violation in a school zone is subject to the increased penalties and surcharges imposed by section 42-4-1701 (4)(d).
(2) For the purposes of this section, school zone means an area that is designated as a school zone and has appropriate signs posted indicating that the penalties and surcharges will be doubled. The state or local government having jurisdiction over the placement of traffic signs and traffic control devices in the school zone area shall designate when the area will be deemed to be a school zone for the purposes of this section. In making such designation, the state or local government shall consider when increased penalties are necessary to protect the safety of school children.
(3) This section does not apply if the penalty and surcharge for a violation has been doubled pursuant to section 42-4-614 because such violation also occurred within a highway maintenance, repair, or construction zone.
Source: L. 98: Entire section added, p. 588, � 1, effective July 1.
42-4-616. Wildlife crossing zones - increase in penalties for moving traffic violations. (1) Except as described by subsection (4) of this section, a person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone is subject to the increased penalties and surcharges imposed by section 42-4-1701 (4)(d.5).
(2) For the purposes of this section, wildlife crossing zone means an area on a public highway that:
(a) Begins at a sign that conforms to the state traffic control manual, was erected by the department of transportation pursuant to section 42-4-118, and indicates that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone; and
(b) Extends to:
(I) A sign that conforms to the state traffic control manual, was erected by the department of transportation pursuant to section 42-4-118, and indicates that a person is about to leave a wildlife crossing zone; or
(II) If no sign exists that complies with subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b), the distance indicated on the sign indicating the beginning of the wildlife crossing zone; or
(III) If no sign exists that complies with subparagraph (I) or (II) of this paragraph (b), one-half mile beyond the sign indicating the beginning of the wildlife crossing zone.
(3) (a) If the department of transportation erects a sign that indicates that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone pursuant to section 42-4-118, the department of transportation shall:
(I) Establish the times of day and the periods of the calendar year during which the area will be deemed to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section; and
(II) Ensure that the sign indicates the times of day and the periods of the calendar year during which the area will be deemed to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section.
(b) In erecting signs as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), the department of transportation, pursuant to section 42-4-118, shall not erect signs establishing a lower speed limit for more than one hundred miles of the public highways of the state that have been established as wildlife crossing zones.
(4) This section shall not apply if:
(a) The person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone is already subject to increased penalties and surcharges for said violation pursuant to section 42-4-614 or 42-4-615;
(b) The sign indicating that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone does not indicate that increased traffic penalties are in effect in the zone; or
(c) The person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone commits the violation during a time that the area is not deemed by the department of transportation to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section.
Source: L. 2010: Entire section added, (HB 10-1238), ch. 393, p. 1868, � 2, effective September 1.
42-4-617. Steep downhill grade zones - increase in penalties and surcharges for speeding violations - definitions. (1) The department may designate a steep downhill grade zone in any area of any state highway where the downhill grade is five percent or greater and where the department determines there are safety concerns related to commercial motor vehicles exceeding the posted speed limits.
(2) The department shall erect, where applicable, signs consistent with subsection (3) of this section notifying drivers of each area of the state highways that the department has designated as a steep downhill grade zone.
(3) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, steep downhill grade zone means an area of a state highway that:
(a) Begins at a sign that:
(I) Conforms to the state traffic control manual;
(II) Was erected by the department pursuant to subsection (2) of this section;
(III) Indicates that a driver is about to enter a steep downhill grade zone; and
(IV) Notifies commercial motor vehicle drivers that increased penalties and surcharges are in effect and assessed for speeding in the zone; and
(b) Extends to:
(I) A sign that:
(A) Conforms to the state traffic control manual;
(B) Was erected by the department pursuant to subsection (2) of this section; and
(C) Indicates that a driver is at the end of the steep downhill grade zone; or
(II) If no sign exists that complies with subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section, a distance:
(A) As indicated on the sign described in subsection (3)(a) of this section; or
(B) Of one-half of a mile beyond the sign described in subsection (3)(a) of this section; and
(c) Is designated as a steep downhill grade zone by the department of transportation pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(4) A driver of a commercial motor vehicle who commits a speeding violation in a steep downhill grade zone is subject to the increased penalties and surcharges imposed under section 42-4-1701 (4)(d.7).
(5) As used in this section:
(a) Commercial motor vehicle has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-2-402 (4).
(b) Department means the department of transportation created in section 43-1-103.
Source: L. 2023: Entire section added, (HB23-1267), ch. 382, p. 2294, � 2, effective January 1, 2024.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 23-1267, see section 1 of chapter 382, Session Laws of Colorado 2023.
42-4-618. Glenwood Canyon - increase in penalties and surcharges for speeding violations - definitions. (1) The department may determine that there are safety concerns in Glenwood Canyon on interstate 70 eastbound between milepost 116.0 and milepost 131.0 and westbound between milepost 118.5 and milepost 131.0 related to commercial motor vehicles exceeding the posted speed limits.
(2) The department shall erect, where applicable, signs notifying drivers of each area of the state highways that the department has designated as a heightened speed limit enforcement zone.
(3) A driver of a commercial motor vehicle who commits a speeding violation in a heightened speed limit enforcement zone is subject to the increased penalties and surcharges imposed under section 42-4-1701 (4)(d.9); except that the increased penalties and surcharges do not apply when the driver commits the violation within a highway maintenance, repair, or construction zone and is already subject to an increased penalty and surcharge for the violation pursuant to section 42-4-614.
(4) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) Commercial motor vehicle has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-2-402 (4).
(b) Department means the department of transportation created in section 43-1-103.
(c) Heightened speed limit enforcement zone means an area of a state highway that:
(I) Begins and ends at a sign that:
(A) Conforms to the state traffic control manual;
(B) Indicates that a driver is about to enter or is at the end of a heightened speed limit enforcement zone; and
(C) Notifies commercial motor vehicle drivers that increased penalties and surcharges are in effect and assessed for speeding in the zone; and
(II) Is designated as a heightened speed limit enforcement zone by the department of transportation pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (SB 24-100), ch. 207, p. 1276, � 2, effective August 7.