Colorado changed some traffic penalties on August 12, 2026. Senate Bill 26-035 affects certain repeat speeding violations, driving at 100 miles per hour or more, and improper passing in no-passing zones. It is not a blanket point increase for every speeding ticket.
What changed for repeat speeding violations?
The enacted law adds license points for specified multiple speeding violations within one-, two-, or five-year periods. The repeat-violation provisions address driving at least 20 mph above a reasonable and prudent speed or exceeding the maximum lawful speed of 75 mph. The particular point consequence depends on the violation and the driver’s history; there is no single added-point number for every repeat ticket.
The act also adds four points when a person drives a vehicle at 100 mph or greater. Those are additional points, not necessarily the complete point total for a citation.
When is a summons required?
For the multiple speeding violations identified in the act, a driver receives a summons and complaint instead of a penalty assessment notice. These documents serve different purposes. A summons identifies a court process, while a penalty assessment notice generally provides a payment option. The document actually issued should be read for the listed court, date, and response instructions.
Does this affect every older ticket?
No. The act states that it applies to traffic infractions committed on or after its effective date, August 12, 2026. Its repeat-violation provisions also use lookback periods. The effect of a prior record cannot be determined from the date of one citation alone.
What other traffic rule changed?
SB26-035 also increases penalties for improperly passing in a no-passing zone and clarifies how those zones are marked. That is a separate change from the speeding provisions. The act additionally addresses fines for hazardous-materials transportation violations.
What information appears on a citation?
A traffic citation may identify the alleged speed, location, offense, court, appearance date, and whether the document is a summons or a penalty assessment. Those details matter more than a generic online point chart. Commercial drivers may also have licensing and employment concerns beyond the ordinary point total.
For the primary source, read the Colorado General Assembly’s SB26-035 enacted summary and signed act. Our Colorado driver’s license points guide explains the broader point system. If you have questions about an actual citation, request an appointment with Ike Lucero, Jr. Consultations are by appointment only.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Laws and their application can depend on the specific facts and charge. Visiting this website or contacting the office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Do not send confidential information before that relationship is established.
