Loveland Police Traffic Unit Emphasizes Safety Over Revenue in Social Media Post

The Loveland Police Department addressed ongoing public skepticism about traffic enforcement motives on October 25, stating that road safety remains the Traffic Unit's primary focus despite perceptions that citations generate city revenue.

"Some say it's all about revenue," the department posted on its Facebook page. "Remember, zero dollars get collected when everyone obeys the speed limit (too fast or too slow), stops at red lights, and cruises through school zones responsibly."

The department emphasized that safer streets matter more than citation revenue. "We'll take fewer tickets and safer streets over revenue any day," according to the post.

The statement reflects a persistent tension between municipal traffic enforcement and public perceptions that citation practices prioritize revenue generation over genuine safety concerns.

Department Policy Explicitly Prohibits Quotas

Loveland Police Department policy explicitly bans ticket quotas and requires officers to conduct enforcement without disparate treatment of motorists, according to department Policy and Procedure 12.02.

"The Department will not use quotas and will adhere to its profiling policy which prohibits disparate treatment of persons," the policy states.

LPD officers enforce Colorado state traffic laws and Loveland city ordinances under authority granted by Title 42 of Colorado Revised Statutes and the city's adoption of the Model Traffic Code for Colorado. The code standardizes traffic regulations and enforcement procedures across the state.

Department procedures require officers to complete traffic stops efficiently, explain court obligations to violators, and issue warnings or citations based on observed violations. Officers must provide business cards to motorists during stops in compliance with state law.

Citation Revenue Flows to General Fund

Traffic fine revenue collected by Loveland is deposited into the city's general fund or transportation-related funds but is not earmarked specifically for the police department, according to city budget documents.

Colorado municipalities receive a portion of Highway Users Tax Fund revenue, which includes some traffic fines and fees, distributed by formula for general transportation purposes rather than to support specific police operations.

The separation between enforcement activities and departmental funding aims to eliminate financial incentives that could compromise the safety rationale for traffic enforcement.

City finance officials have repeatedly emphasized in budget question-and-answer sessions that traffic enforcement revenue supplements the general fund and cannot legally be used to set or justify fines as a budget-balancing tool.

Public Skepticism Persists Despite Official Statements

Loveland has documented history of public concern over traffic citations perceived as revenue-driven, a common issue facing municipalities nationwide.

City officials and police department leadership have responded through official communications and public meetings, consistently stating that enforcement priorities are driven by safety considerations rather than revenue needs.

The October 25 social media post represents the department's latest effort to address those concerns directly with residents in a conversational tone that acknowledges the criticism while restating the safety mission.

Traffic enforcement practices and revenue implications have been addressed periodically at city council meetings, with officials emphasizing that all fine revenue supplements general city operations rather than creating enforcement incentives.

Contact the Loveland Police Department at 970-667-2151 for questions about traffic enforcement policies and procedures.