Boulder is Serious About Safety

Speeding and running red lights cause many accidents in our community every year, some of them fatal. As part of Boulder's traffic safety program, the city operates the photo radar and photo red-light program in Boulder, focusing photo radar on neighborhoods and school zones and photo red-light in high traffic intersections.

Photo enforcement is only used on public streets and photographs are only taken if drivers are violating traffic laws. Both systems are in plain view, either in an unmarked police vehicle parked by the side of the road or in an enclosure mounted on a pole.

The photo radar/red light program began as a demonstration in late 1998. At a March 30, 1999 City Council Study Session, Council supported the transition of photo enforcement from a demonstration to a continuous operation.

Photo Radar
Photo radar is an automated camera system used to enforce speed limits. It includes the camera, an attached radar "gun" and a display that shows the speed of each passing vehicle. When a speeding vehicle is detected, the photo radar system takes a picture of the driver and the license plate. The registered owner of the vehicle then receives a ticket in the mail. Photo radar is operated in an unmarked vehicle by a specially trained police employee.

• Respond to a Photo Radar Citation

Photo Red Light 
Running a red light is one of the most frequent causes of accidents at intersections in Boulder. Red light enforcement through traditional officer-based efforts is difficult and potentially dangerous. In response, Boulder has implemented photo red light, an automated camera and computer system mounted on a traffic signal pole at an intersection. Photo red light takes pictures of any vehicles that run a red light, records the time elapsed since the light turned red and the vehicle entered the intersection, and issues a ticket. The photo red light systems are installed at key Boulder intersections that have a high number of accidents.

• Respond to a Photo Red Light Citation

For More Information Call or Fax
Photo Radar Information Line 303-441-1985. Transportation Division 303-441-3266. Boulder Police Department, Traffic Division 303-441-4330. Fax: 303-441-4271.

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