Bob Pfeiffer, deputy director of operations in CDOT’s Division of Maintenance & Operations, updated STAC on the live‑view camera program and a recent vendor contract failure.

CDOT operates about 1,100 cameras statewide; roughly a decade ago LiveView provided a vendor‑owned camera service for locations CDOT could not support directly. Over time LiveView under‑delivered and CDOT reduced vendor payments for performance shortfalls. When CDOT went to procure a renewal earlier this year, initial bidders withdrew and the LiveView contract ended in July — leaving about 96 cameras at risk of losing service.

CDOT has since put a replacement contract out to bid, received four bidders and awarded a contract to install or upgrade approximately 69 CDOT‑owned cameras. A preconstruction meeting is scheduled at the end of the month and construction is expected to start in May; CDOT will continue to use temporary camera installations (trailers, retained poles and cellular links) to provide coverage at key passes (including Berthoud, Rabbit Ears, Cameron Pass and others) while permanent work proceeds.

Bob explained technical constraints: some locations lack fiber and rely on cellular service, which varies by carrier and location; the electrical/solar systems are being redesigned to provide more robust power and communications for remote cameras. He said the transition to CDOT‑owned infrastructure will reduce monthly operations costs (CDOT estimates a drop from roughly $250 per month to under $50 per camera) but will require capital investment and construction windows that are limited by winter conditions above certain elevations.

Why it matters: cameras support operations decision‑making and reduce unnecessary maintenance vehicle driving by letting crews and traffic managers see conditions remotely; lost camera coverage harms operations and public information during weather events.

What’s next: CDOT will phase in the new cameras over the next 12–24 months as construction windows allow, continue temporary deployments where needed, and bring replaced cameras online into the operations centers as soon as they are installed.