Traffic Enforcement

Slow Down Fort Collins campaign materials

If you are looking to file an online crash report, please visit "Report a motor vehicle crash" on our Online Crime Reporting page.

Blue Envelope Program

Have you heard about The Blue Envelope Program? Fort Collins Police has implemented use of this tool as a strategy designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and drivers with communication-related disabilities. The colored envelope provides a visual cue to officers that a driver may need accommodations due to various communication barriers. It is labeled with guidance for both the officer and the owner, who can use it to provide information about their need or disability and include copies of important vehicle-related documents like driver's license and registration.

The envelope includes instructions in English and Spanish. Any community member may request a blue envelope at the front desk of the Fort Collins Police building, at 2221 Timberline Rd. Participation in the program is by request only, and no participant list or data storage is maintained.

Camera Radar and AVIS Corridors

Background

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

Enforcement

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.

Equipment

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.

mobile camera radar unit positioned within a roadway brick median

Red-light Violations and Speed Corridors

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

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.

Slow the FoCo Down

In support of Vision Zero, the new Road Safe: Slow Down Fort Collins campaign promotes safer driving by encouraging everyone to slow down and follow speed limits. The campaign’s initial launch in 2024 included social media messaging, flyers and bus shelter posters around the City. You can pick up a "Slow the FoCo Down" bumper magnet by visiting the FCPS lobby at 2221 Timberline Rd.

Social media and print requests for the "Slow Down Fort Collins: Driving is a shared experience" campaign can be sent to fcpsmedia@fortcollins.gov.

VIN Verification

Fort Collins Police Services staff can assist by providing a completed Verification of Vehicle Identification Number (DR 2698) form. However, our agency does not provide the Certified VIN Inspection (DR 2704) form.

The DR 2698 form verifies vehicle identification details and meets standard requirements for most vehicle-related transactions. For Certified VIN Inspections (DR2704), please schedule an appointment with the Colorado State Patrol.

For further assistance or clarification, feel free to contact our office directly. If you are unsure which form(s) you need, please contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Appointment Schedule

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.

Along with your vehicle and driver’s license, please bring one of the following documents with you to your appointment:

Vehicle Registration
Title
Bill of Sale

Schedule an appointment

Out of State VIN Verification Forms or Inoperable Vehicles

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.

Please Note:

Up to 4 vehicles can be processed in one appointment slot.
Vehicles must be present at the time of the VIN verification.
Cost is $10 per vehicle and can be paid by cash, credit card, or check (must be paid at the time of your appointment).

Schedule an appointment

Contact Us

Emergencies

Call 911 immediately

Non-Emergencies

970-419-3273 (FCPD)

Report non-emergency crime or lost property online

VIN Verifications

Front Desk Hours

Monday - Friday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday | Closed

Physical Address

2221 S. Timberline Rd.

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Mental Health Crisis

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, please call 911. If you think it would be beneficial to have a mental health professional assess and connect the person with services, tell the dispatcher that you’d like to request the Mental Health Response Team (MHRT). If a team member is not available, a patrol officer will respond to assist. All Fort Collins officers receive training related to mental health response.

If you’re dealing with mental or emotional challenges, concerns about alcohol or substance use, or simply need a listening ear, you don’t have to face it on your own. Free and confidential service is a call or text away, 24/7; just dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Hotline.

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