How speed limits are established

The City of Colorado Springs uses the 85th percentile speed of free flowing traffic as its basic factor when establishing speed limits. Radar and other methods are used to collect speed data from random vehicles on roadways. This speed is subject to revision based upon factors such as: roadway geometrics, parking, crash experience, pedestrians, curves, surrounding development, and engineering judgment. This practice is in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices which has been adopted by the State of Colorado. In the final analysis, it is the judgment of the city traffic engineer that determines which, if any, of the factors in the speed study warrant an adjustment of the 85th percentile speeds. 

Unposted speed limits

Per city code 10.5.102: Where speed limit signs are not posted, and where no special hazard exists, the following speed shall be lawful: twenty five (25) miles per hour on streets and highways and fifteen (15) miles per hour in alleys.