Due to limited resources many states use speed enforcement cameras—also known as photo or video enforcement—to take a digital photograph or video of a vehicle (and its license plate) that violates the speed limit. The use of speed enforcement cameras to issue speeding tickets or citations (mailed to the driver) has been controversial, with claims that it violates Constitutional rights.

Laws vary from state to state and in some states speed enforcement cameras are a permitted enforcement tool; in some states they are prohibited; and in some states they are prohibited unless permitted by a local ordinance (city or town).

To measure the speed of a moving vehicle and issue speeding tickets by photo enforcement, police departments generally use photo or video radar that relies on radio signals and the Doppler Effect or photo and video LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology that relies on lasers rather than radio waves. These devices require training on their proper use and regular calibration to be accurate.

In Colorado, the use of speed enforcement cameras, also known as photo radar, is permitted under state law. These systems capture images of vehicles exceeding the speed limit, and citations are typically mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. The use of these cameras is often concentrated in urban areas, school zones, and construction zones where speeding is considered particularly hazardous. Colorado law requires that signs be posted to inform drivers when photo radar is in use. Despite their legality, the use of speed enforcement cameras remains a contentious issue, with opponents arguing that they infringe on privacy rights and due process, and supporters claiming they enhance road safety by deterring speeding. The accuracy of these systems is maintained through regular calibration and by ensuring that operators are properly trained in their use.