In Colorado, a traffic ticket (assuming you don’t beat the ticket in court) usually leads to a fine and points being assessed to the motorist’s driving record. Accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension.
Below you’ll find the fines, points, and other consequences for some of the most common traffic violations in Colorado. But the specific penalties for a traffic ticket can vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
Colorado has three types of speed limits: basic, absolute, and presumed. The basic speed limit prohibits driving faster than is reasonable and prudent given the current conditions. An absolute limit is simply the maximum speed—which is usually posted—that a motorist can drive on a certain roadway or portion thereof. And presumed limits are like absolute limits except the violator can beat the ticket by showing the speed—though faster than the presumed limit—was safe.
|
Type of Violation |
Fine and surcharge |
Jail |
Points |
|
1 to 4 miles per hour over the limit |
$36 |
None |
None |
|
5 to 9 miles per hour over the limit |
$80 |
None |
1 |
|
10 to 19 miles per hour over the limit |
$151 |
None |
4 |
|
20 to 24 miles per hour over the limit |
$232 |
None |
6 |
|
25 or more miles per hour over the limit |
$150 to $300 (judge can impose jail in addition to or in lieu of a fine) |
10 to 90 days possible |
6 (12 points if 40 or more miles per hour over the limit) |
Generally, the fines are doubled for speeding violations that occur within a maintenance, repair, or construction zone.
At a stop sign or stop light, motorists must come to a complete stop before the nearest of a marked stop line, entering the crosswalk, or entering the intersection itself. In Colorado, making a right turn at a red light is permitted provided there’s no sign at the intersection explicitly prohibiting it.
|
Type of Violation |
Fine and surcharge |
Points |
|
Stop light |
$110 |
4 |
|
Stop sign |
$80 |
4 |
|
$75 maximum |
None |
Colorado’s distracted driving laws prohibit texting while driving for all motorists and talking on a cellphone while operating a vehicle for motorists who are under the age of 18.
|
Violation |
Fine and surcharge |
Jail |
Points |
|
Underage cellphone use (first offense) |
$56 |
None |
1 |
|
Underage cellphone use (second or subsequent offense) |
$106
|
None |
1 |
|
Texting |
$306 |
None |
4 |
|
Texting (involving bodily injury or death) |
$300 to $1,000 (judge can impose jail in addition to or in lieu of a fine) |
10 days to 1 year possible |
4 |
Generally, all Colorado motorists must have a valid license in their possession while driving. The penalties for a violation, however, depend on the circumstances.
|
Violation |
Fine and surcharge |
Jail |
Points |
|
License not in possession |
$21 |
None |
None |
|
Expired for 1 month or less |
$21 |
None |
None |
|
Unlicensed driving |
$45 |
None |
None (6 points for second and subsequent violations) |
|
Driving on suspended or revoked |
$500 maximum
|
Up to 6 months |
3 |
|
Driving on suspended or revoked that was related to a DUI offense |
$500 to $1,000 (judge can impose jail in addition to or in lieu of a fine) |
30 days to 1 year |
3 |
Motorists who can show the court that they had a valid license at the time of the citation can get their ticket dismissed
