Lower Default Speed Limits Take Effect In Boulder

BOULDER, CO — Boulder City Council voted in May to lower the default speed limit in areas with no signs to 20 mph. The new limit goes into effect Thursday.

The lower speed limits on local, residential streets are a part of Boulder's Vision Zero program, which aims to "eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries caused by traffic collisions," officials said.

Speeding was identified as one of the top causes of severe traffic crashes in Boulder in the 2019 Safe Streets Report. The new speed limit for local residential streets was designated as a 'key action item' in Boulder's Transportation Master Plan and Vision Zero Action Plan.

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The city will be lowering the posted speed limit on "appropriate" local, residential streets and plans to change the speed limit in 465 areas this summer, city officials said.

Residential streets make up 70 percent of all streets in Boulder, officials said.

>> A map of street classifications in the city can be found here.