Cross the Line, Pay the Fine: Colorado’s Express Lane Safety Enforcement
Think you can sneak across the solid line in an Express Lane? Think again. Colorado is cracking down on Express Lane rule breakers with smart roadside cameras and sensors that automatically issue $75 fines to violators. If you cross a solid line, expect a ticket in the mail. The purpose of this is to improve safety and reduce crashes caused by motorists violating the Express Lane rules.
This system has been gradually rolled out over the last two years and is now active on all of Colorado’s Express Lanes — which includes the I-70 mountain corridor, C-470, north I-25, Central 70, the I-25 South Gap area, and US 36.
What are the Express Lanes rules?
This enforcement focuses on a critical safety rule in the Express Lanes: entering and exiting the lanes outside designated areas — a.k.a., weaving over solid lines. That solid line isn’t just a suggestion — it’s there for a reason. Traffic in the Express Lane moves faster, so when a driver suddenly cuts across the solid line and into the Express Lane, it catches other drivers off guard — increasing the risk of a crash.
Drivers should only enter or exit the Express Lane in designated areas where there’s a dashed line. This rule is in place to keep all motorists and emergency responders safe and keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible.
Rules Specific to the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes
There are two other rules that apply only to the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes:
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Drivers cannot use the I-70 mountain Express Lanes when they are closed – the lanes operate as an emergency shoulder for disabled vehicles or first responders when they are not operating.
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No oversized vehicles that have more than two axles or are longer than 25 feet are allowed in the I-70 mountain Express Lanes – these lanes are narrower than typical highway lanes and are therefore unsafe for oversized vehicles.
The I-70 Mountain Express Lanes are technically “peak period shoulder lanes,” meaning they are narrower than typical highway lanes and cannot accommodate oversized vehicles such as semi trucks, RVs, and vehicles pulling trailers. Due to federal regulations, they can only be open for a certain number of days per year and operate as emergency shoulders when they are closed. Driving in the lanes when they’re closed is extremely dangerous as violators could crash into a disabled vehicle, an emergency responder or a maintenance vehicle using the lane as a shoulder during this time.
What does it mean when there’s a dashed line on one side and a solid line on the other?
If you’ve ever driven next to an Express Lane, you might have noticed that sometimes the lane markings are dashed on one side and solid on the other. So, what does that mean?
A dashed line on the side closest to you means you can cross. A solid line on the side closest to you means you can’t cross.
Cross where it’s allowed, and everyone gets where they’re going more smoothly and safely.
What’s the penalty?
Drivers who violate any of these rules will receive a $75 fine in the mail. If it’s not paid within 20 days, the fine goes up to $150. Fines can be paid online at ExpressLaneSafety.com or by calling (800) 450-5167 with your license plate or notice number.
Visit ColoradoExpressLanes.com to learn more.