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20 is Plenty

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Golden city street with "Speed Limit 20 MPH" signage

20 is Plenty is Here!

New speed limit signage will be installed in residential neighborhoods through the end of October, decreased from 25 mph to 20 mph. City Council passed a measure in September 2022 that decreased the speed limit in residential areas to help keep our children, neighbors, pedestrians and pets safer.

Accidents occurring at 20 mph have a 13% likelihood of ending in death or severe injury. At 30 mph, that number increases to 40% and jumps to 73% at 40 mph. It is simple; drive slower and reduce accidents, injuries, and potential deaths.

In conjunction with 20 mph posted speed limits, City Council also approved the use of photo radar to help reduce speeding in the city. Golden Police Department contracted with Verra Mobility to build a van and is awaiting the final operating system to be installed. It is anticipated that you will see the van operating in town in November 2023.

Temporary signage is required to be posted 300 feet from the van to notify drivers of its presence. Vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit will receive a citation in the mail, directed to the registered owner of the vehicle. This citation is $40 and doubles to $80 in a school zone. There are zero points associated with the photo radar citation, and it is not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Infographic showing likelihood of injury or fatality of crashes at 20, 30 and 40 mph.The likelihood of fatality or severe injury rises exponentially with vehicle speed. At 20 mph there is a 13% likelihood. At 30 mph, there is a 40% likelihood. At 40 mph, there is a 74% likelihood.


City staff continue to receive letters from concerned citizens regarding speed throughout the city, especially in areas where children are present. The implementation of 20 is Plenty and Photo Radar is intended to slow drivers down to decrease the risk of injury and death related to vehicle-pedestrian incidents. This change is for the safety of all residents and visitors to our city. Take time to look for the new signage and pump your brakes for safety.

For more information, email 20mph-plenty@cityofgolden.net.

20 is Plenty is Here!

New speed limit signage will be installed in residential neighborhoods through the end of October, decreased from 25 mph to 20 mph. City Council passed a measure in September 2022 that decreased the speed limit in residential areas to help keep our children, neighbors, pedestrians and pets safer.

Accidents occurring at 20 mph have a 13% likelihood of ending in death or severe injury. At 30 mph, that number increases to 40% and jumps to 73% at 40 mph. It is simple; drive slower and reduce accidents, injuries, and potential deaths.

In conjunction with 20 mph posted speed limits, City Council also approved the use of photo radar to help reduce speeding in the city. Golden Police Department contracted with Verra Mobility to build a van and is awaiting the final operating system to be installed. It is anticipated that you will see the van operating in town in November 2023.

Temporary signage is required to be posted 300 feet from the van to notify drivers of its presence. Vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit will receive a citation in the mail, directed to the registered owner of the vehicle. This citation is $40 and doubles to $80 in a school zone. There are zero points associated with the photo radar citation, and it is not reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Infographic showing likelihood of injury or fatality of crashes at 20, 30 and 40 mph.The likelihood of fatality or severe injury rises exponentially with vehicle speed. At 20 mph there is a 13% likelihood. At 30 mph, there is a 40% likelihood. At 40 mph, there is a 74% likelihood.


City staff continue to receive letters from concerned citizens regarding speed throughout the city, especially in areas where children are present. The implementation of 20 is Plenty and Photo Radar is intended to slow drivers down to decrease the risk of injury and death related to vehicle-pedestrian incidents. This change is for the safety of all residents and visitors to our city. Take time to look for the new signage and pump your brakes for safety.

For more information, email 20mph-plenty@cityofgolden.net.

Q & A

Let us know if you have any questions regarding the 20 is Plenty initiative, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with an answer.

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  • Share Who initiated 20's Plenty in Golden? Was it someone at the city level, an active mode advocacy organisation, or a resident? on Facebook Share Who initiated 20's Plenty in Golden? Was it someone at the city level, an active mode advocacy organisation, or a resident? on Twitter Share Who initiated 20's Plenty in Golden? Was it someone at the city level, an active mode advocacy organisation, or a resident? on Linkedin Email Who initiated 20's Plenty in Golden? Was it someone at the city level, an active mode advocacy organisation, or a resident? link

    Who initiated 20's Plenty in Golden? Was it someone at the city level, an active mode advocacy organisation, or a resident?

    Tim Han asked about 2 months ago

    In September 2022, Golden City Council approved a measure that reduced neighborhood speeds from 25 mph to 20 mph to make neighborhood streets and streets next to parks, school zones, and construction zones safer for everyone. In June 2023, Golden City Council approved a measure for the use of photo radar to help reduce uniformed police officer to be physically present for the purpose of speed enforcement. Coined “20 is Plenty”, this effort aims to lower the risk of fatality and severe injury between vehicles and pedestrians.  

    While police officers still work speed enforcement in these areas, photo radar technology can be used as an additional tool to help with traffic safety and enforcement. 

    The use of photo radar lowers the need and cost for additional staffing and increases the ability for the Police Department to focus resources in other areas of the community related to public safety. The Police Department, City Traffic Engineer, and the Mobility and Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB) provided support for both of these Council driven initiatives.  

    With over a year under our belts, there are still questions buzzing on exactly how Twenty is Plenty operates: 

    • The Police Department deploys an unmarked vehicle with photo radar in residential neighborhoods, school zones, streets near parks, and construction zones. Residential areas must have housing on both sides of the street. 

    • The City can designate specific streets as automated vehicle identification system corridors if five years of data show crashes, speeding, reckless driving, or community complaints. Golden has no designated corridors at this time but may consider adding them in the future.  

    • Photo radar can be used via a trailer, vehicle, or mounted camera without an operator present. Signs must be posted 200–500 feet in advance. Citations are issued for speeds 11 mph over the limit, with fines capped at $40 in residential areas and $80 in school or construction zones.  

    • Citations are paid to a third-party out-of-state contractor which reimburses the City.  

    In 2024, Golden PD made 6,523 traffic stops, issuing 3,705 citations and 2,818 warnings. They investigated 457 traffic crashes, 416 involving property damage, 36 involving injuries, and 5 resulting in fatalities. Photo radar citations in 2024 included 3,167 citations issued in a residential neighborhood and 467 citations in a school zone. Together, we’re working toward our community understanding Twenty IS Plenty.  

  • Share Why don't you use traffic calming measures instead of signage? signage and fines do little to deter speeders in our area. on Facebook Share Why don't you use traffic calming measures instead of signage? signage and fines do little to deter speeders in our area. on Twitter Share Why don't you use traffic calming measures instead of signage? signage and fines do little to deter speeders in our area. on Linkedin Email Why don't you use traffic calming measures instead of signage? signage and fines do little to deter speeders in our area. link

    Why don't you use traffic calming measures instead of signage? signage and fines do little to deter speeders in our area.

    jmomalley asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your comment. We agree that posted limits and enforcement are only two pieces of reducing speed of vehicles. We do have a neighborhood speed management program for neighborhood streets that funds projects that change the roadway in ways intended to reduce speeds. We also perform complete street projects that have design elements to reduce speed. It will take time to fund all such projects and implement them. 

Page last updated: 28 Feb 2025, 02:47 PM