After two delays, Denver's speed camera ordinance passed first reading without a separate vote or changes

Denver's speed camera ordinance, held up twice in October, cleared its first reading at the City Council on Monday, Nov. 9, without a roll call of its own. The city's record says only that Council Bill 26-1435 "was ordered published," with no motion or vote listed for it (meeting). That is how the city records bills approved together in a meeting's group vote, which passed 11-0 that night with Stacie Gilmore absent (roll call).

Why it matters: the bill sets where Denver can use cameras to ticket speeding drivers, what the tickets cost and how drivers are warned first. First reading is the step that tees up a final vote.

The city's records show no amended version. The newest bill text attached to the item is the filed bill from Oct. 21.

How it got here

• Oct. 7: The Health and Safety Committee postponed it on Kevin Flynn's motion (video).
• Oct. 14: The committee approved it for filing, on Amanda Sandoval's motion (video).
• Oct. 26: The full Council voted 8-3 to postpone first reading to Nov. 9, on Shontel Lewis's motion (roll call). Our story on that delay has who voted which way.
• Nov. 9: Ordered published, unchanged.

Denver7 had reported that Lewis proposed changing fines for repeat violations of 6 to 9 mph over the limit, and that Council President Pro Tem Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez wanted the choice between a warning and a fine written into the ordinance (Denver7). Neither change appears in a new version in the city's records. A member can still offer an amendment before final passage.

What the filed bill says

From the Oct. 21 bill text:

Warnings first. The city must announce a camera online at least 30 days before using it and post signs at the location. For the first 30 days after a camera is installed, only warnings can be mailed. A mobile camera moved within the same approved corridor doesn't restart that clock.

Under 6 mph over: a mailed warning at most, except in school zones and work zones, where the fine can be up to $40.

6 to 9 mph over: a warning for a first violation. A second or later one can cost up to $40.

10 to 24 mph over: up to $40.

25 mph or more over: up to $120.

School and work zones: fines for second violations of 6 to 9 mph, and for 10 to 24 mph over, can be doubled. A first 6 to 9 mph violation there can cost up to $40.

Starting Jan. 1, 2035, the caps rise: $50 instead of $40, and $150 instead of $120.

Other cameras: red-light, bus-lane and bike-lane violations up to $75, rising to $95 in 2035. Passing a stopped school bus, using cameras on Denver Public Schools buses if the school board approves, up to $300, rising to $375.

No points. Camera violations aren't reported to the state Division of Motor Vehicles.

Where cameras can go. School zones, residential neighborhoods, work zones and streets bordering parks. A speed corridor must be backed by crash, speeding or reckless-driving data from the past five years. Interstates are excluded. The bill defines a residential neighborhood as a block that is mostly homes on both sides with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

Reporting. The department running each corridor must publish yearly citation counts and revenue.

What our records add

Our Oct. 23 story covers the committee questions on revenue, corridor selection and how the fines compare with state law. Denverite reported that Mayor Mike Johnston's 2027 budget assumes $3.1 million more from traffic enforcement; the safety department said that figure isn't tied to this ordinance.

The video of Monday's meeting wasn't posted on our meeting page as of Wednesday. We'll add any discussion when it is.

What's next

Bills ordered published usually come back for a final vote the following Monday, which would be Nov. 16. The bill takes effect when adopted.