On Monday, the state of Colorado took a giant leap forward in ridding their streets and intersections of the scam known as photo ticketing. in a 21-14 vote, the Colorado State Senate passed a bill which would make this scam officially illegal throughout the state. 

The text of the bill, SB 14-181 can be found here. 

It’s primary sponsor is Senator Scott Renfroe, who has pushed hard to ban red light cameras in Colorado since 2012. 

This is a great development, but there is still much work to be done before a ban on scameras is achieved in Colorado. The House must pass the same bill and then send it to the Governor John Hickenlooper, who has openly said he doesn’t know how he would handle it. That’s code language for, “American Traffic Solutions and Redflex are making it mighty appealing for me to veto that bill.”

Coloradoans need to keep the pressure on the legislature, to make sure the bill is heard in the House. Then Governor Hickenlooper needs to hear the message loud and clear, so that he can’t slither his way to a veto.

Above: A Denver area scamera is visibly shaken at the prospect of being torn down

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Local press outlets around the Denver area are generally assuming that because the Speaker of the House is cosponsoring the bill that it will definitely go to a vote in that chamber. We don’t make assumptions here and it’s better to err on the side of beating up the politicians.

Contact info for CO legislators - [Legislative Directory]

This type of legislation, when passed, has a way of spreading to other states, especially in the same region. Arizona, New Mexico, California and Texas will be watching this result very closely.