Following the successful rollout of the Wheat Ridge Police Department’s automated speed camera program, the department expects to add additional cameras throughout the community in January of 2026.
So far, speed cameras outside of Wheat Ridge High School and Anderson Park have acted as a successful deterrent, showing fewer people are excessively speeding in these areas. When comparing the first three months of the program (May, June and July) to the following three months of the program (August, September and October) the department mailed out roughly 30% fewer citations for people speeding above the enforcement threshold.
“Wheat Ridge has become a cut-through community,” said WRPD Chief Chris Murtha. “Speeding is one of the top complaints we receive in our department and we are putting that feedback into action. These cameras are a force multiplier, and after using data to measure the areas where we see excessive speeding, we strategically placed these cameras in areas of community concern. We are seeing people slow down and that helps us create public safety.”
The police department will add two new speed cameras in the community and roll out the first red-light camera in Wheat Ridge in the beginning of 2026. That red-light camera will be located at W 44th Ave. and Kipling St. and the penalty for running a red light at that intersection will be $75.
The speed camera at Anderson Park will be moved along W 44th Ave. further east and will now be stationed near Hopper Hollow Park. A new speed camera will go up near Prospect Park on W 44th Ave. and another new speed camera will be installed near the intersection of W 38th Ave. and Kipling St.
The city has established Kipling St. as a speed corridor, meaning Wheat Ridge Police Officers can run the Dragon-Eye Camera, a mobile version of the automated speed cameras, along Kipling St. for enforcement.
As a reminder, the fine is a “Notice of Civil Violation” and therefor does not count as points against your license. Each violation is reviewed by a uniform Wheat Ridge Police Officer and is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Speed camera violations are $40 but can jump to $80 if you are found in violation in a school or construction zone. Payment options are listed on the Crash and Traffic Team page of the police department website.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 236 people were killed on Colorado roads in 2024 in speed-related crashes. That’s more than those who died because of impaired driving and unbuckled crashes.
If we can bring down the speed, we can reduce the impact of crashes, keeping school children, pedestrians and everyone who uses roads in Wheat Ridge safer.
