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Castle Pines council weighs photo-radar speed enforcement for school zones
Summary
City Manager Penny asked council whether staff should study automated photo-radar cameras for school zones and other locations; members raised privacy, cost and fairness concerns and asked staff to gather data from other cities before deciding.
City Manager Penny opened a study-session discussion about automated photo-radar speed enforcement, saying the 2023 Colorado General Assembly authorized cities to operate "automated vehicle identification systems" in certain locations and asking whether the council wanted staff to pursue further analysis.
"If you're speeding, you get the ticket. It's a financial impact to your wallet," Penny told the council, describing how cameras issue civil violations to the registered owner and can be targeted to school zones and other areas designated by ordinance. She said staff would compile data and examples from other municipalities and review contract cost models so council could weigh effectiveness versus cost and resident reaction.
Council members were split. One council member said the city should not rely on technology in place of sworn deputies and objected to the idea of automated enforcement; another said cameras in school zones may be acceptable if data show they reduce dangerous driving. Concerns raised included resident comfort with surveillance, the inability of cameras to identify the actual driver (tickets go to the vehicle owner), and whether vendors' contracts would change the per‑ticket revenue to the city.
Without a vote, the council signaled interest in a formal staff analysis and public outreach. Penny said staff would return with comparative data, contract models, location options and cost estimates before any ordinance or contract was drafted.
