Governor expects to veto two red light camera bills

Two red light camera ban bills are on Gov. John Hickenlooper’s desk, but he says he would be surprised if he signed either one of them.

The governor was in Pueblo Friday to sign five bills into law along with speaking at Pueblo Community College. He said he wouldn’t sign either bill, because the cameras save lives.

“When properly applied, I think they can reduce traffic fatalities,” he said.

One bill would ban the cameras outright, while the other would let the people decide.

Gerda Chavez, who works near one of the cameras at the Sunset Inn, said the cameras have been making the roads safer.

“We don’t have a whole lot of accidents. Years ago, we use to have probably one or two accidents a week,” she said.

Pueblo has red light cameras on three different intersections.

Supporters of the bills said the cameras are being used as revenue generators.