Traffic Enforcement

In an effort to lower, and hopefully eliminate, serious vehicle crashes and fatalities, the City of Fort Collins has adopted an AVIS (Automated Vehicle Identification System). This system, authorized in Colorado state law 42-4-110.5 and Fort Collins Ordinances 1106 and 615, uses automated radar and cameras to detect violations for speeding and failure to stop at red-lights. The system has been in service in Fort Collins since 1997.

Read the Statute

Read the Ordinance

These violations are civil penalties - $40 for speeding and $75 for a red-light violation. They are not traffic infraction tickets, and carry no further fines or surcharges or points on the violator’s driver license. Should a violator disregard the notice(s) sent to them, a process server will be assigned to locate the violator and serve a summons to appear in court for the violation. If a process server is assigned, there is then a process service fee associated to the violation which is not a fine or surcharge.

Speeding violations of 25 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit do not fall under the AVIS statute or Municipal AVIS ordinances. These violations are traffic tickets which will be served to the violator by a police officer. The camera radar system will document these violations, and a police officer will investigate each.

If you have received a camera radar or red-light ticket and are seeking direction on how to pay or contest the ticket, please visit the Fort Collins Municipal Court Camera Red Light Ticket webpage.

Fort Collins Police Services utilizes four upfitted SUVs and two unstaffed transportable camera radar units in locations around the city where speeding is prevalent. The SUVs are operated by special officers trained to set up and monitor the automated camera radar systems in the vehicles. Setup involves carefully measuring the roadway and vehicle position, testing the cameras, radars and lighting to ensure the vehicle detected is the vehicle identified by the system and a clear image of the driver can be seen. The transportable units are unstaffed and are repositioned every 30 days to a new location. 

A warning sign, the size and shape of a speed limit sign, is clearly posted at least 300 feet from the camera radar vehicle to give drivers notice and time to double check their speed. This is required by state law and municipal ordinance.

All of the camera radar and red light equipment are owned by the transportation technology company, Verra Mobility; they also process and mail violation notices to the registered owner of the offending vehicle.

Fort Collins Police Services also utilizes automated camera systems to detect red-light violations at six intersections in the city:

• Drake Rd. and S. College Ave.
• S. Timberline Rd. and E. Harmony Rd.
• S. Shields St. and W. Harmony Rd.
• S. Lemay Ave. and E. Drake Rd.
• S. Shields St. and W. Prospect Rd.
• S. Shields St. and W. Mulberry Rd.

A warning sign is clearly posted at least 300 feet from these intersections. These signs are also posted at the start of a “speed corridor” in the city - designated due to factors like vehicle crashes, speeding, and citizen complaints. The camera radar systems at red-light intersections are located within speed corridors. Camera radar vehicles may also be setup in speed corridors.

A violation notice will be sent to the vehicle’s registered owner address on file with the Colorado Department of Revenue. The violation notice contains pictures of the vehicle, license plate and driver. The registered owner can choose to visit a web site to see pictures and a video of the violation. They may also pay or contest the violation online.  

Questions about an AVIS ticket pertaining to Fort Collins Municipal Court, including how to pay or contest a ticket, should be directed to the Fort Collins Municipal Court at 970-221-6867. 

Questions about the Fort Collins AVIS (camera radar or red-light) program can be directed to the program Coordinator, Stephan Sparacio at 970-416-2236.

Fort Collins Police Services conducts VIN Verifications on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. You must schedule an appointment for VIN verification. 

If you need to register your vehicle in a state outside of Colorado, or have a vehicle that cannot be transported to the Fort Collins Police Services building, please call 970-221-6540 (Option 1), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As long as the volume of Calls for Service permits, we can request a Community Service Officer to assist once one becomes available.