Colorado Work Zone Laws

How Colorado handles work zones

Colorado doubles both the fine and the surcharge in any designated work zone, no workers required (C.R.S. 42-4-614). 20 to 24 over is a flat $540 penalty in a CDOT-designated zone, not a doubled $200; 25 over is a class 1 misdemeanor there. Cameras run with no crew in sight, and the $40 speeding cap and the $75 signal cap on an automated ticket both stop applying inside a designated zone (42-4-110.5), so a mailed ticket carries the doubled schedule penalty. Obey the flagger or face a class A infraction (43-5-308). The 2025 hands-free law exempts CDL drivers in commercial vehicles, but FMCSA still bars your handheld.

Speed, fines, phone, and the flagger

• Speed rule: The posted work-zone limit applies the whole time the designated zone is signed, no workers needed. Automated cameras enforce it at 10-plus mph over even with no crew in sight (C.R.S. 42-4-614, 42-4-110.5). Always while signed.
• Fine multiplier: Doubled, penalty and surcharge both, in a designated maintenance, repair, or construction zone (C.R.S. 42-4-614, 42-4-1701(4)(c)). 20-24 over is a class A infraction that carries a flat $540 penalty in a CDOT-designated zone, not a doubled $200, plus the $32 surcharge doubled to $64; 25-plus over is a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. Applies whenever the zone is signed.
• Phone in a work zone: Restricted — put it down
• Flagger authority: You must obey a flagger's visible instructions, signals, or directions; failing to do so is a class A traffic infraction (C.R.S. 43-5-308).
• Base fine: A typical speeding fine runs about $150 to $200 (C.R.S. 42-4-1701 schedule), doubled to roughly $300 to $400 in a designated zone, and 20-24 over is a flat $540 penalty there. A work-zone camera ticket is not capped at $75: the $40 automated-speeding cap and the $75 signal cap both stop applying inside a designated zone (42-4-110.5(4)(b)(III), (4.5)(b)), so it carries the doubled schedule penalty.

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