Denver, CO Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- School-zone speed camera fine
- $80.00
- Red-light camera fine
- $75.00 ($40 at stop line)
- Other camera-detected infraction fine
- $40.00
- Governing section
- DRMC § 54-822(e)-(f)
- Owner defense
- Sworn affidavit naming actual driver, § 54-833
Summary
Denver's automated cameras issue $75 tickets for red-light violations and $80 tickets for school-zone speeding, bypassing the standard traffic penalty schedule entirely.
Any traffic infraction that is a violation of section 54-156 or section 54-157 occurring in a school zone that is detected by the use of an automated vehicle identification system shall be subject to a penalty of eighty dollars ($80.00) upon entry of judgment against the defendant. ... Any traffic infraction involving disobedience to a traffic control signal ... detected by the use of an automated vehicle identification system shall be subject to a penalty of seventy-five dollars ($75.00) upon entry of judgment against the defendant.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver's photo enforcement program uses automated vehicle identification systems, camera-linked radar and traffic-signal devices, to ticket red-light and school-zone speeding violations without an officer present. Under DRMC section 54-822(e)-(f), these citations bypass the standard point-based penalty schedule in section 54-821. A school-zone speed violation carries an $80 fine upon judgment; a red-light violation carries $75, reduced to $40 if the driver stopped short of the marked stop line or crosswalk but past the signal; all other camera-detected infractions carry $40. The registered owner is presumed liable under section 54-833 but may rebut it with a sworn affidavit naming the actual driver.
Violations & Fines
Failing to pay a camera citation by the appearance date triggers a county court judgment against the registered owner, plus court costs and surcharge under DRMC 14-40 and 20-103.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Denver use red-light and speed cameras?
How much is a Denver photo-enforcement ticket?
Can I contest a Denver camera ticket if I wasn't driving?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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