The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has ceased access to approximately 136 cameras situated on roadways throughout the state, a decision that has left many residents in the High Country concerned about their ability to monitor driving conditions, especially during the winter months.
For individuals like Jeff Delazaro, who travels frequently on Berthoud Pass, the cameras served an essential function, particularly in winter when snowy conditions and increased ski traffic complicated local commutes.
Earlier this summer, Delazaro noticed that several cameras on Berthoud Pass were taken down, previously used to check road conditions before heading out.
According to Stacia Sellers, CDOT Major Projects Communications Manager, the removal of the cameras followed the expiration of CDOT’s contract with LiveView, the company that operated them, in July.
This decision was attributed to “cost and contract limitations”, leaving many residents without a reliable source for checking current road conditions.
The discontinued cameras included 17 on Interstate 70 from Vail to Frisco, five on U.S. Highway 40 near Berthoud Pass, four on U.S. Highway 6 near Loveland Pass, two on Colorado Highway 82 near Aspen, and three on U.S. Highway 40 near Rabbit Ears Pass, among others.
In response to the loss of these services, CDOT is planning to install about 69 new cameras that it will own.
However, Sellers indicated that the department cannot assure that all the former LiveView camera sites will be replaced, as this is contingent upon final design and cost estimates.
The project to replace the cameras has a budget of $8 million and started last month, with completion anticipated by October 2027.
While most of the new cameras will primarily capture still images, there is potential for streaming capabilities if they are placed near existing fiber optic networks.
Despite attempts to find a new company to provide third-party camera services at locations that will not see replacements, CDOT found that the proposed rates were three to 10 times more than current expenses, making it impractical to meet their requirements.
Even with the removal of the LiveView cameras, CDOT maintains over 1,000 operational cameras on Colorado roads.
In many instances where cameras were taken down, nearby operational cameras remain available to provide drivers with a glimpse of current conditions.
CDOT encourages drivers to utilize resources like COTrip.org and the COTrip planner app, which offer updates on road and weather conditions.
These tools include color-coded maps to indicate if roads are dry, snow-packed, or icy.
Like many Colorado drivers, Delazaro reported he consults a variety of data sources, including Google Maps, Waze, COTrip.org, and CDOT cameras, prior to embarking on a trip.
While the absence of the LiveView cameras is not seen as catastrophic, he noted it adds uncertainty regarding road conditions, stating it may leave travelers finding out the state of the roads only upon arrival.
He reflected on the frequent discrepancies between COTrip.org and the actual road conditions, noting how cameras had previously helped clarify such situations.
image source from：vaildaily
