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“I was like, this has got to be a typo,” she told Denver’s 9News.
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Then it got worse.
Mrazik received six citations, all for a road she drives daily, and all for $340. Now she’s on the hook for more than $2,000 in fines she told 9News that she can't afford to pay (1).
Denver-area Traci Miller, who was clocked going too fast down the same stretch of road as Mrazik, was equally shocked when she got a $340 speeding ticket delivered to her home.
The traffic camera that caught both women speeding sits on a road where the speed limit drops from 65 mph to 45 mph in less than a quarter of a mile. It’s neither a school zone nor a construction zone.
Miller suggests it’s another kind of zone.
“It's a money maker for the Town of Kersey,” she told 9News.
As 9News reports, since May, the town (population: 1,499) has raked in $316,540 from 931 speeding tickets from this stretch of road — all set at $340. That represents 7% of the town’s budget (2).
It’s profitable. But Mrzazik and Miller want to know if it’s legal.
Lawyer questions legality of sky-high speeding tickets
A Colorado state law passed in 2023 put a $40 cap on what municipalities can charge for speeding on regular roads. It doubles to $80 for speeding in school or construction zones (3).
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The Town of Kersey passed an ordinance that squares with that: a maximum $40 fine for speeding on regular roads or $80 in school or construction zones.
But in a statement, Kersey Chief of Police Jonathan Lange said state law allows towns to charge more if a driver is going 25 miles per hour or more over the speed limit — which Mrazik and Miller both were.
The police chief’s argument doesn’t fly, according to Colorado Springs criminal attorney Jeremy Loew.
The $340 speeding tickets that Mrazik, Miller and others received cite a Town of Kelsey ordinance — not state law. That means the town’s $40 cap would override state law in this case.
“The tickets themselves are allowed,” Loew said. “What isn't allowed is the amount of money that they are charging.”
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Following media coverage, the Town of Kersey voted to ‘pause’ the supersized tickets in late November, meaning speeding tickets issued by a traffic camera will go back to $40.
But what about refunds for those who have paid up already?
In answer to a driver asking if $340 tickets that have already been paid will be reimbursed, Mayor Nathan Roth emphasized that the pause was temporary and reiterated that the town is certain the $340 tickets are legal (4).
Loew said he suggests anyone who received a $340 ticket from the town of Kersey should dispute it and, if needed, go before a judge and argue that the town’s ordinance doesn’t allow the hefty fine.
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What to do when a ticket gives you sticker shock
Act immediately.
Depending on the jurisdiction, you may only have a week to dispute a ticket, so don’t let it sit in your mailbox.
Check the law.
Different states set different caps for automated fines. Some allow higher fines depending on just how fast you were driving above the limit. Look up your state’s maximum fine in your state so you can confirm whether the amount you were fined is within that maximum.
Don’t ignore it.
Even if you plan on disputing it, ignoring a ticket can still trigger late fees and other penalties. In some states, ignoring a citation long enough can lead to a bench warrant or having your license suspended.
Keep your receipt.
If you paid a ticket that is later ruled invalid or overpriced you’ll need proof of payment to get a refund, so save the confirmation email or screenshot the payment page.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
9News (1, 2, 4); State of Colorado (3)
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Libby MacDonald is a Senior Staff Reporter at Moneywise. She has extensive experience in business and consumer reporting, having covered topics including insurance, wealth management, housing and equities.
