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Transportation o cials get stricter about express lane penalties
BY CHRIS KOEBERL CKOEBERL@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The Colorado Department of Transportation is getting serious about enforcing penalties for Interstate 70 mountain express lanes, and Idaho Springs is the early focus.
Enforcement will focus on the interstate’s Mountain Express Lanes between Idaho Springs and U.S. 40. Soon, though, serious penalties will be a reality everywhere, according to state o cials.
“Starting Friday, July 21, motorists who drive unsafely in the Express Lanes on the I-70 Mountain
Corridor will be issued nes known as civil assessment penalties,” a press release stated.
For the past month, drivers have received mailed warnings for violations such as using the Express Lanes when they’re closed, weaving across the solid yellow lines and driving in lanes with oversized vehicles. selection. ese moments never fail to make her smile.
As of July 21, the warnings will cease, and drivers will be mailed nes starting at $75 and increasing to $150 if not paid within 20 days of issuance, the statement said.
More than 5,000 warnings have already been issued to drivers, according to CDOT.
“It brings me just a ton of joy to see people enjoying it and enjoying the space,” Monson said. “I think it’s also enriched my kids’ love and appreciation for literature because they get so excited about nishing a book and passing it on.”
Monson built her library in 2017 and registered it with Little Free Library, a Minnesota-based nonpro t that aims to increase access to literature by providing blueprints and guides to build community libraries, as well as mapping registered libraries across the country.
Hundreds of little free libraries have popped up across the Denver metro area as their popularity proliferates. Monson said she was inspired to build her library after visiting others with her 11-year-old twins Tommy and Luci, who are avid readers.
“I really believe in the importance of building community and connection for wellness, so I thought it was a great way to build community shortly after we moved to Golden,” she said. “So it was their love of reading and my want to build community that made it happen.”
Since the library is on a bike and walking path, it’s not accessible by car, so Monson took advantage of the unique environment by adding a bench, a slide and fairy gardens around the library to make it an inviting spot for visitors.
