DENVER — Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed a bill this week reforming a state law that regulates how Colorado cities and towns use photo radar systems.
The new law was inspired in part by a six-month investigation into photo radar by Steve On Your Side. That investigation helped void $2.3 million in traffic tickets across two Weld County towns.
The legislation creates a standardized fine structure for excessive speeding, requires municipalities to mail physical warnings to drivers during a legally mandated warning period, places stricter limits on how photo radar vendors can profit from the cameras, and eliminates speed camera tickets for drivers going 5 mph or less over the speed limit.
Excessive speeding fines capped
Viewers first reached out to Steve On Your Side after receiving photo radar tickets totaling hundreds of dollars from the town of Kersey. The local police chief at the time said the hefty fines were issued to drivers traveling 25 mph or more over the speed limit. The camera sat in an area where the speed limit drops from 65 mph to 45 mph in less than a quarter-mile…