SPEED REGULATIONS

Colorado Springs City Code ch. 10, art. 5

in effect

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.101 REASONABLE AND PRUDENT SPEED; SPECIAL HAZARDS

10.5.101: REASONABLE AND PRUDENT SPEED; SPECIAL HAZARDS: A. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and hazards, actual and potential, then existing. B. The fact that the speed of a vehicle is lower than the limits established in this chapter shall not relieve the driver of the duty to decrease speed when a special hazard exists with respect to pedestrians, animals, property or other traffic by reason of weather, traffic, roadway conditions or any other actual or potential hazard then existing. It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to decrease speed given the presence of any hazard. (1968 Code §§6-5-1, 6-5-2; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.102 UNPOSTED SPEED LIMITS

10.5.102: UNPOSTED SPEED LIMITS: Where speed limits are not posted, and where no special hazard exists, the following speed shall be lawful: twenty five (25) miles per hour on streets and highways and fifteen (15) miles per hour in alleys. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle: A. One to four (4) miles per hour over the unposted speed limit; B. Five (5) to nine (9) miles per hour over the unposted speed limit; C. Ten (10) to nineteen (19) miles per hour over the unposted speed limit; D. Twenty (20) to thirty nine (39) miles per hour over the unposted limit; E. Forty (40) miles per hour or more over the unposted speed limit. (1968 Code §§6-5-1, 6-5-2; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 03-49; Ord. 03-173)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.103 POSTED SPEED LIMITS

10.5.103: POSTED SPEED LIMITS: A. It is hereby determined that the speed limits stated in section 10.5.102 of this article are the maximum reasonable and safe speed limits in each zone, except where the City Traffic Engineer determines on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any speed limit set forth in section 10.5.102 of this article is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any parts of any street or highway, in which case the Traffic Engineer shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit not to exceed fifty five (55) miles per hour which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice are erected at the intersection or other place or part of the street or highway. B. Appropriate signs giving notice that the speed limit set forth in section 10.5.102 of this article is the maximum speed may be posted by the Traffic Engineer. C. Whenever posted speed limits are established in accord with this section, the speed limits shall be recorded as provided in section 10.1.312 of this chapter. D. It is hereby determined that the posted speed limits determined, posted and recorded are the maximum reasonable or safe speed limits at the locations. E. It is hereby determined that the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour is the maximum reasonable and safe speed in school zones, and the Traffic Engineer shall establish speed zones by posting appropriate signs giving notice thereof in lieu of the requirements of this section. (1968 Code §§6-5-2, 6-5-3; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 79-32; Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.104 EXCEEDING POSTED SPEED LIMIT

10.5.104: EXCEEDING POSTED SPEED LIMIT: It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle: A. One To Four Miles Per Hour Over The Posted Speed Limit: 1. One to four (4) miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a posted school zone; 2. One to four (4) miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a posted construction zone. B. Five To Nine Miles Per Hour Over The Posted Speed Limit: 1. Five (5) to nine (9) miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a posted school zone; 2. Five (5) to nine (9) miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a posted construction zone. C. Ten To Nineteen Miles Per Hour Over The Maximum Posted Speed Limit: 1. Ten (10) to nineteen (19) miles per hour over the maximum posted speed limit in a posted school zone; 2. Ten (10) to nineteen (19) miles per hour over the maximum posted speed limit in a posted construction zone. D. Twenty To Thirty Nine Miles Per Hour Over The Posted Speed Limit: 1. Twenty (20) to thirty nine (39) miles per hour over the maximum posted speed limit in a posted school zone; 2. Twenty (20) to thirty nine (39) miles per hour over the maximum posted speed limit in a posted construction zone. E. Forty Miles Per Hour Or More Over The Maximum Posted Speed Limit: 1. Forty (40) miles per hour or more over the maximum posted speed limit in a posted school zone; 2. Forty (40) miles per hour or more over the maximum posted speed limit in a posted construction zone. F. AVIS Violations: It shall be a violation of this subsection for any person to drive any vehicle at a speed five (5) to twenty four (24) miles per hour above the posted speed limit in an area which is monitored by AVIS. 1. No person shall be convicted of a violation of this subsection unless Section 10.1.115 Automated Vehicle Identification Systems (AVIS), which governs violations detected by AVIS, is complied with. (Ord. 98-249; Ord. 00-112; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 08-222; Ord. 10-47; Ord. 24-33)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.105 NOTICE CHARGING SPEED VIOLATION

10.5.105: NOTICE CHARGING SPEED VIOLATION: In every charge of a violation relating to speed limits, the complaint or summons or notice to appear shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the speed limit applicable within the district or at the location of the City. (1968 Code §6-5-5; Ord. 77-69; Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.106 MINIMUM SPEED REGULATIONS

10.5.106: MINIMUM SPEED REGULATIONS: A. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any street at a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable forward movement of traffic, except when a reduced speed shall be necessary for safe operation of the vehicle or in compliance with law. B. It is hereby determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on certain streets described in traffic control records as provided in section 10.1.312 of this chapter consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic on the facilities described in the records and it is declared that the minimum speed limit upon those streets or expressways shall be as stated, which speed so declared shall be effective at the time specified when signs are erected giving notice. Any speed less than the minimum speed limit shall be prima facie evidence that the lesser speed is unlawful, except when a reduced speed shall be necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle when a special hazard exists. (1968 Code §6-5-6; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 85-263; Ord. 88-151; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.107 SPEED CONTESTS AND SPEED EXHIBITIONS

10.5.107: SPEED CONTESTS AND SPEED EXHIBITIONS: A. Definitions: SPEED CONTEST: The operation of one or more motor vehicles to conduct a race or a time trial, including, but not limited to, rapid acceleration, exceeding reasonable and prudent speeds for highways and existing traffic conditions, vying for position, or performing one or more lane changes in an attempt to gain advantage over one or more of the other race participants. SPEED EXHIBITION: The operation of a motor vehicle to present a display of speed or power. Speed exhibition includes, but is not limited to, squealing the tires of a motor vehicle while it is stationary or in motion, rapid acceleration, rapid swerving or weaving in and out of traffic, producing smoke from tire slippage, or leaving visible tire acceleration marks on the surface of the highway or ground. B. Prohibitions: 1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to knowingly engage in a speed contest on a street or highway. 2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, it is unlawful for a person to knowingly engage in a speed exhibition on a street or highway. 3. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not, for the purpose of facilitating or aiding or as an incident to any speed contest or speed exhibition upon a highway, in any manner obstruct or place a barricade or obstruction, or assist or participate in placing any such barricade or obstruction, upon a highway. A person who violates any provision of this section, commits, pursuant to section 10.1.103 of this chapter, the offense in which the person aided, or the commission of which the person facilitated. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude charging a person under section 10.1.103 of this chapter for otherwise being a party to the crime of engaging in a speed contest or engaging in a speed exhibition. C. Exemption: The provisions of this section shall not apply to the operation of a motor vehicle in an organized competition according to accepted rules on a designated and duly authorized racetrack, racecourse, or drag strip. (1968 Code §6-5-7; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 06-201)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.108 REGULATION BY TRAFFIC SIGNALS

10.5.108: REGULATION BY TRAFFIC SIGNALS: Traffic signals may be timed, as authorized in section 10.1.309 of this chapter, so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds at variance from the speed limit otherwise applicable to the street or area. (1968 Code §6-5-8; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.109 EMERGENCY VEHICLES EXEMPT FROM SPEED LIMITS

10.5.109: EMERGENCY VEHICLES EXEMPT FROM SPEED LIMITS: A. The speed limitations set forth in this article shall not apply to an authorized emergency vehicle when the driver is responding to an emergency call and is making use of visual and audible signals as prescribed by law, nor shall speed limitations apply to a police vehicle while in actual pursuit of a suspected violator of any provision of this chapter or any other law so long as the pursuit is being made to obtain verification of or evidence of the guilt of the suspected violator or to apprehend the suspected violator. B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the street, nor shall the provisions protect the driver of any vehicle from the consequences of a reckless disregard for the safety of others. (1968 Code §6-5-9; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.5.110 DEFENSES

10.5.110: DEFENSES: The minimum requirement for commission of a violation of this chapter is the performance by the driver of prohibited conduct, which includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform an act which the driver is physically capable of performing. It shall not be a defense to prosecution for violation of this article that: A. The defendant's conduct was not performed intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence; or B. The defendant's conduct was performed under a mistaken belief of fact, including, but not limited to, a mistaken belief regarding the speed of the defendant's vehicle. (Ord. 90-24; Ord. 01-42)

Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-17787Fetched: 11/1/2026