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Red Light Camera Program Not Going Away In Colorado

DENVER (CBS4) - The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote Wednesday in favor of getting rid of its red light cameras. Many complain the program costs more than it makes.

A decision in Los Angeles probably won't signal the end of red light cameras in Colorado.

Mailed tickets from red light cameras in Colorado are not legally binding. The law states drivers have to be "personally served" the notice "no later than 90 days" after the alleged violation occurred.

"You have an option when you get a ticket, if it comes in the mail you can pay it, or you can ignore it," Sonny Jackson with Denver police said.

If someone chooses to ignore it, Denver police say red light runners are not off the hook. In fact they face even more fees.

"You ignore it, then we have a processor to come out and serve you," Jackson said. "You will then get the ticket plus the fee for the process server."

The red light fine is $75. Add that to the process server fee of $29 or $39 or more depending on where the person lives.

Denver police say the cameras create a culture of safety.

"What happens is people realize hey, 'You know what? I cannot speed in this area. I cannot run that light. I don't want a ticket,'" Jackson said.

According to Denver police, revenue generated from photo red light enforcement in 2010 was more than $721,000.

"It is sustainable on its own. We're not losing money on it. If it was a money-losing venture in these times, we'd really have to consider that," Jackson said.

So for now the bottom line is the cameras are not going away in Colorado.

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