The Colorado Department of Transportation began construction on its statewide camera installation project on March 30, starting in south-central Colorado. Work commenced at the intersection of US Highway 24 and US 285 at Antero Junction, followed by installations near Manitou Springs/Cascade Canyon and Cripple Creek. The department will replace 66 cameras across the state, with several located in remote regions where residents rely on them to monitor highway conditions.
The initiative is important because it marks a shift to a fully state-owned and managed camera network. This change is expected to improve long-term reliability, provide cost savings, and give CDOT more operational control over its infrastructure. According to the official website, the Colorado Department of Transportation works to improve quality of life for residents through integrated transportation solutions.
Motorists are expected to experience minimal disruptions since most work will take place off-road. Next steps include removing existing poles, installing new foundations for poles, and laying conduit for sites with fiber or utility power connections. The project aims for completion by fall 2027 when all new cameras are anticipated to go live.
In July 2025, CDOT removed over 90 cameras from its system as it moved away from using a third-party vendor toward this new model addressing previous performance issues. CDOT continues operating more than 1,000 cameras throughout Colorado that provide real-time road and weather views via COtrip.org. Public feedback has helped identify areas where camera use is highest; additional key locations may see similar upgrades as part of ongoing network modernization efforts.
To maintain coverage during the transition period in critical areas, CDOT installed solar-powered cameras on existing structures and placed portable trailer-mounted units at priority sites for flexible monitoring needs until permanent installations are completed.
According to the official website, Shoshana Lew serves as executive director for CDOT. The agency oversees transportation infrastructure across Colorado as outlined online—including building and maintaining highways while administering grants for aviation and transit—and operates in highway maintenance as well as supporting aviation and transit sectors according to its official site.
