Tolling on the I-25 Express Lanes between Berthoud and Fort Collins will begin April 7, according to an announcement from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Drivers who cross solid lines in or out of these lanes will receive warnings for a month, with fines starting May 7.
The new toll system covers a 14-mile stretch in Larimer and Weld counties. Toll rates for drivers with an ExpressToll pass will range from $1 to $4.75 per segment, depending on direction and time of day. A full trip using all three segments at night costs $3, while peak northbound travel can reach $12.20. Those without an ExpressToll pass will pay higher rates through license plate billing.
Tim Hoover, deputy director of communications for the Colorado Department of Transportation, said: “Express Lanes aren’t just about saving time for the drivers who choose to use them. They’re designed to help manage congestion across the entire corridor. When traffic moves safely in and out of the Express Lanes, it reduces pressure on the regular, untolled lanes, which benefits all drivers — whether they pay a toll or not.”
The department states that account holders save about 40% compared to those billed by license plate and encourages drivers to visit expresstoll.com for account setup or transponder orders. The same passes used elsewhere in Colorado are valid here as well.
Motorcyclists, commercial transit vehicles, and cars with three or more passengers using a switchable HOV3+ transponder can use these lanes free of charge. Automated camera enforcement against crossing double white lines starts with warnings until May 7; after that date violators face civil penalties up to $75.
According to the official website, Shoshana Lew is executive director of CDOT and oversees statewide transportation infrastructure including highways as well as support for aviation and transit sectors. The department aims to provide integrated multi-modal solutions that improve quality of life while meeting environmental standards according to its mission.
