Colorado Traffic Tickets: Fines, Violations, and Penalties
When you are convicted of a traffic offense in Colorado, the Division of Motor Vehicles will cite you. Also, you will get points on your Colorado driving records. The more citations you get in a short time, you will have a greater chance of a license suspension. When you repeat the same offense, you will get higher fines, your license revoked or canceled, and you may need to take drug and alcohol courses. Drivers with a restrictive license must install an ignition interlock device (IID).
Colorado Traffic Tickets & Violations
Traffic tickets in Colorado will earn you points on your driving records. The Colorado DMV point system tracks the number of points you receive after you get a citation. The points on your record will affect your insurance premium, prospective job offers, and your driving privileges.
The more common and less severe infractions give the fewest points. However, if you accumulate too many small violations and points, you can lose your Colorado driver’s license. Here are some violations and points per infraction:
3-Point Violations
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Improper turn
4-Point Violations
- Careless driving
- Failure to show proof of insurance
- Improper passing
- Driving up to 19 mph above the speed limit
6 & 8-Point Violations
- Failing to stop for a school bus: 6 points
- Driving 20 – 39 mph over the speed limit: 6 points
- Reckless driving: 8 points
12-Point Violation (Automatic Suspension)
- DUI/DWI
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Racing
- Evading law enforcement
- Driving 40 mph or higher above the speed limit
Colorado Traffic Tickets & Payment
The fines you must pay will depend on the type of ticket you receive. A less severe violation fine is not as much as a more severe citation. The smaller amount has an easier process to pay as well.
When you plead guilty, you can pay the ticket within the time frame indicated. If you are late with your payment, surcharges or late fees are added. To make sure you pay on time, call your county court for verification on the types of acceptable payments.
Paying for traffic tickets in Colorado can be easy. If you decide to pay the fine, it means you are pleading guilty and is accepting responsibility for the violation. Most traffic tickets payments can be done:
- Online
- By phone
- In person
- By mail
The payment option is on the ticket. For more severe traffic tickets, you may need to appear before a judge. If this is your case, the options above are not accepting payments.
Fighting Traffic Tickets
You have the option to challenge any ticket to receive. To begin the challenge process, you must inform the court with ten days of the citation or attend the court hearing on the ticket. You must plead not guilty at your appearance. The court will give you some time before your next appearance. You can hire a traffic attorney to defend you or do it yourself.
If you lose your challenge, you will be responsible for:
- Paying additional fines
- Get a suspension
Failure to appear in court will lead to a warrant for your arrest.
Related Read: Requesting Your Colorado Driving Record
Lost your Traffic Ticket?
If you misplace your ticket, you can call the county court in the county you got the ticket. Provide as many details as you can remember about the citation and place. You must also provide your Colorado driver’s license number.
With the information you provide, you can get a copy of the ticket or when to appear in court of how to pay.
Conclusion
No matter what the traffic violation, it is important to take care of it. Make sure you pay your fines or appear in court on time. Otherwise, you face the consequences as outlined above. It’s also a good idea to hire an experienced traffic attorney if you are uncomfortable defending yourself. Good luck!
