Traffic Enforcement
General Information
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is a community oriented, problem solving unit which provides public safety service and traffic enforcement to the citizens of El Paso County. The philosophy of the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is to promote awareness and increase traffic safety through education and enforcement. The Traffic Unit was established in 1996 and is comprised of one sergeant and six deputies.
The Traffic Unit focuses on providing traffic specific enforcement throughout the county, responding to citizen complaints, as well as working those areas known to have high occurrences of traffic accidents and/or speeding. The deployment of SMART (speed display) trailers are effective tools the Unit uses to enhance its ability to not only enforce traffic laws but to also raise awareness amongst the motoring public.
The Unit also provides training both to deputies in our Office, as well as other law enforcement officers throughout the region.
Traffic Complaints
To report an in progress citizen traffic complaint, please call (719) 390-5555.
For ongoing or pattern traffic complaints such as school zone speeders, traffic enforcement zones, speed trailer requests, or similarly related items, please call (719) 520-7200.
Contact Information
Email
SHR_TEU@elpasoco.com
FAQs
Why does El Paso County have a model traffic code?
Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 30-15-401 grants the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) the power to adopt ordinances for control of matters that are a local concern.
How are the traffic fines determined?
All traffic fines are based on C.R.S. 42-4-1701.
Where does the money from the fine go?
C.R.S. 42-8-109 (2) states that fifty percent of the state fines go to the Colorado Treasurer, who deposits the funds to the State Highway Fund. The remaining fifty percent goes to the County Treasurer. However, per C.R.S. 30-15-402 (1), if the violation is charged as a County ordinance violation, the entire fine and base surcharge amount goes to the County in which the violation occurred.
What is a surcharge?
The surcharge is an additional fee that is authorized by statute.
How is the amount of the surcharge determined?
The base surcharge is established in C.R.S. 42-4-1701. Additional surcharges are authorized by other statutes.
Where does the money from the surcharges go on County Traffic Tickets?
The following surcharges are assessed:
- A base surcharge is assessed per C.R.S. 42-4-1701 on all infractions.
- $10.00 is collected in accordance with C.R.S. 30-15-402. These funds are deposited into the Victims and Witness Assistance and Law Enforcement Fund for the 4th Judicial District.
- $5.00 is collected by the El Paso County Treasurers Office for the processing of the ticket in accordance with BOCC Resolution 13-02.
- $15.00 is collected in accordance with C.R.S. 30-15-402 on all speeding and motorcycle violations for the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund.
- $1.00 is collected in accordance with C.R.S. 42-4-1701(4) for the Family Friendly Court Program.