HomeMy WebLinkAboutCODE Model Traffic 2020MODEL TRAFFIC CODE
FOR
COLORADO
Originally adopted in 1952. Subsequently revised in 1962,1966,
1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1995, 2003, 2009, 2010, and 2020
Colorado Department of Transportation
State of Colorado
REVISED 2020
(Revision 2 : Dated:7/7/2021)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1
TRAFFIC REGULATION - GENERALLY
101. Short title.
102. Legislative declaration.
103. Scope and effect of C – exceptions to provisions.
104. Adoption of traffic control manual.
105. Local traffic control devices.
106. Who may restrict right to use highways.
107. Obedience to police officers.
108. Public officers to obey provisions - exceptions for emergency vehicles.
109. Low-power scooters, animals, skis, skates, and toy vehicles on highways.
109.5. Low-speed electric vehicles.
109.6. Class B low-speed electric vehicles - effective date - rules.
110. Provisions uniform throughout state.
110.5. Automated vehicle identification systems.
111. Powers of local authorities.
112. Noninterference with the rights of owners of realty.
113. Appropriations for administration of article.
114. Removal of traffic hazards.
115. Information on traffic law enforcement - collection - profiling - annual report - repeal.
(Repealed)
116. Restrictions for minor drivers - definitions.
117. Personal mobility devices.
PART 2
EQUIPMENT
201. Obstruction of view or driving mechanism - hazardous situation.
202. Unsafe vehicles - penalty – identification plates.
203. Unsafe vehicles - spot inspections.
204. When lighted lamps are required.
205. Head lamps on motor vehicles.
206. Tail lamps and reflectors.
207. Clearance and identification.
208. Stop lamps and turn signals.
209. Lamp or flag on projecting load.
210. Lamps on parked vehicles.
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211. Lamps on farm equipment and other vehicles and equipment.
212. Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
213. Audible and visual signals on emergency vehicles.
214. Visual signals on service vehicles.
215. Signal lamps and devices – additional lighting equipment.
215.5. Signal lamps and devices – street rod vehicles and custom motor vehicles.
216. Multiple-beam road lights.
217. Use of multiple-beam lights.
218. Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
219. Number of lamps permitted.
220. Low-power scooters – lighting equipment - department control - use and operation.
221. Bicycle and personal mobility device equipment.
222. Volunteer firefighters – volunteer ambulance attendants – special lights and alarm systems.
223. Brakes.
224. Horns or warning devices.
225. Mufflers - prevention of noise.
226. Mirrors - exterior placements.
227. Windows unobstructed – certain materials prohibited – windshield wiper requirements.
228. Restrictions on tire equipment.
229. Safety glazing material in motor vehicles.
230. Emergency lighting equipment - who must carry.
231. Parking lights.
232. Minimum safety standards for motorcycles and low-power scooters.
233. Alteration of suspension system.
234. Slow-moving vehicles - display of emblem.
235. Minimum standards for commercial vehicles
236. Child restraint systems required - definitions - exemptions.
237. Safety belt systems – mandatory use - exemptions - penalty.
238. Blue and red lights - illegal use or possession.
239. Misuse of a wireless telephone - definitions - penalty - preemption.
240. Low-speed electric vehicle equipment requirements.
PART 3
EMISSIONS INSPECTION
(Omitted)
PART 4
DIESEL INSPECTION PROGRAM
(Omitted)
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PART 5
SIZE - WEIGHT - LOAD
501. Size and weight violations - penalty.
502. Width of vehicles.
503. Projecting loads on passenger vehicles.
504. Height and length of vehicles.
505. Longer vehicle combinations.
506. Trailers and towed vehicles.
507. Wheel and axle loads.
508. Gross weight of vehicles and loads.
509. Vehicles weighed – excess removed.
510. Permits for excess size and weight and for manufactured homes - rules.
511. Permit standards - state and local.
511.2. Authority for cooperative agreements with regional states on excess size or weight
vehicles - regulations.
512. Liability for damage to highway.
PART 6
SIGNALS - SIGNS - MARKINGS
601. Department to sign highways, where.
602. Local traffic control devices.
603. Obedience to official traffic control devices.
604. Traffic control signal legend.
605. Flashing signals.
606. Display of unauthorized signs or devices.
607. Interference with official devices.
608. Signals by hand or signal device.
609. Method of giving hand and arm signals.
610. Unauthorized insignia.
611. Paraplegic persons or persons with disabilities - distress flag.
612. When signals are inoperative or malfunctioning.
613. Failure to pay toll established by regional transportation authority.
614. Designation of highway maintenance, repair, or construction zones
- signs - increase in penalties for speeding violations.
615. School zones - increase in penalties for moving traffic violations.
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PART 7
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
701. Vehicles approaching or entering intersection.
702. Vehicle turning left.
703. Entering through highway – stop or yield intersection.
704. Vehicle entering roadway.
705. Operation of vehicle approached by emergency vehicle
– operation of vehicle approaching stationary emergency vehicle.
706. Obedience to railroad signal.
707. Certain vehicles must stop at railroad grade crossings.
708. Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing.
709. Stop when traffic obstructed.
710. Emerging from or entering alley, driveway, or building.
711. Driving on mountain highways.
712. Driving in highway work area.
713. Yielding right-of-way to transit buses - definitions - penalty.
PART 8
PEDESTRIANS
801. Pedestrian obedience to traffic control devices and traffic regulations.
802. Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks.
803. Crossing at other than crosswalks.
804. Pedestrian to use right half of crosswalk. (Repealed)
805. Pedestrians walking or traveling in a wheelchair on highways.
806. Driving through safety zone prohibited.
807. Drivers to exercise due care.
808. Drivers and pedestrians, other than persons in wheelchairs, to yield to persons with
disabilities.
PART 9
TURNING - STOPPING
901. Required position and method of turning.
902. Limitations on turning around.
903. Turning movements and required signals.
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PART 10
DRIVING - OVERTAKING - PASSING
1001. Drive on right side - exceptions.
1002. Passing oncoming vehicles.
1003. Overtaking a vehicle on the left.
1004. When overtaking on the right is permitted.
1005. Limitations on overtaking on the left.
1006. One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
1007. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
1008. Following too closely.
1008.5. Crowding or threatening bicyclist.
1009. Coasting prohibited.
1010. Driving on divided or controlled access highways.
1011. Use of runaway vehicle ramps.
1012. High occupancy vehicle (HOV) and high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
1013. Passing lane - definitions - penalty.
PART 11
SPEED REGULATIONS
1101. Speed limits.
1102. Altering of speed limits.
1103. Minimum speed regulation.
1104. Speed limits on elevated structures.
1105. Speed contests - speed exhibitions - aiding and facilitating
– immobilization of motor vehicle - definitions.
PART 12
PARKING
1201. Starting parked vehicle.
1202. Parking or abandonment of vehicles.
1203. Ski areas to install signs.
1204. Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places.
1205. Parking at curb or edge of roadway.
1206. Unattended motor vehicle.
1207. Opening and closing vehicle doors.
1208. Parking privileges for persons with disabilities - applicability.
1209. Owner liability for parking violations.
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1210. Designated areas on private property for authorized vehicles.
1211. Limitations on backing.
1212. Pay parking access for disabled.
PART 13
ALCOHOL AND DRUG OFFENSES
PART 14
OTHER OFFENSES
1401. Reckless driving - penalty.
1402. Careless driving - penalty.
1403. Following fire apparatus prohibited.
1404. Crossing fire hose.
1405. Riding in trailers.
1406. Foreign matter on highway prohibited.
1407. Spilling loads on highways prohibited
- prevention of spilling of aggregate, trash, or recyclables.
1407.5. Splash guards - when required.
1408. Operation of motor vehicles on property under control of or
owned by parks and recreation districts.
1409. Compulsory insurance - penalty - legislative intent.
1410. Proof of financial responsibility required - suspension of license.
1411. Use of earphones while driving.
1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.
1413. Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer.
1414. Use of dyed fuel on highways prohibited.
1415. Radar jamming devices prohibited - penalty.
PART 15
MOTORCYCLES
1501. Traffic laws apply to persons operating motorcycles – special permits.
1502. Riding on motorcycles – protective helmet.
1503. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.
1504. Clinging to other vehicles.
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PART 16
ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS
(Omitted)
PART 17
PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
1701. Traffic offenses and infractions classified
- penalties – penalty and surcharge schedule - repeal.
1702. Alcohol- or drug-related traffic offenses - collateral attack.
1703. Parties to a crime.
1704. Offenses by persons controlling vehicles.
1705. Person arrested to be taken before the proper court.
1706. Juveniles - convicted – arrested and incarcerated - provisions for confinement.
1707. Summons and complaint or penalty assessment notice for misdemeanors,
petty offenses, and misdemeanor traffic offenses - release - registration.
1708. Traffic infractions - proper court for hearing, burden of proof - appeal - collateral attack.
1709. Penalty assessment notice for traffic infractions
- violations of provisions by officer - driver’s license.
1710. Failure to pay penalty for traffic infractions
- failure of parent or guardian to sign penalty assessment notice - procedures.
1711. Compliance with promise to appear.
1712. Procedure prescribed not exclusive.
1713. Conviction record inadmissible in civil action.
1714. Traffic violation not to affect credibility of witness.
1715. Convictions, judgments, and charges recorded – public inspection.
1716. Notice to appear or pay fine – failure to appear - penalty.
1717. Conviction - attendance at driver improvement school - rules.
1718. Electronic transmission of data - standards.
1719. Violations - commercial driver’s license - compliance with federal regulation.
PART 18
VEHICLES ABANDONED ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
1801. Legislative declaration.
1802. Definitions.
1803. Abandonment of motor vehicles - public property.
1804. Report of abandoned motor vehicles - owner’s opportunity to request hearing.
1805. Appraisal of abandoned motor vehicles - sale.
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1806. Liens upon towed motor vehicles.
1807. Perfection of lien.
1808. Foreclosure of lien.
1809. Proceeds of sale.
1810. Transfer and purge of certificates of title.
1811. Penalty.
1812. Exemptions.
1813. Local regulations.
1814. Violation of motor vehicle registration or inspection laws – separate statutory provision.
PART 19
SCHOOL BUS REQUIREMENTS
1901. School buses - equipped with supplementary brake retarders.
1902. School bus drivers - special training required.
1903. School buses - stops - signs - passing.
1904. Regulations for school buses – regulations on discharge of passengers - penalty -
exception.
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APPENDICES
1) Definitions
2) PART A. Instructions for adopting the model traffic code by reference
3) PART B. Specimen ordinance for adopting model traffic code by reference
4) PART C. Specimen notice of hearing
5) PART D. Specimen certification – posting of notice
6) PART E. Instructions for amending Model Code previously adopted by reference
7) PART F. Listing of amendments for updating previous editions of the Model Traffic
Code adopted by reference
8) PART G. Specimen certification of Model Code
9) Why a Model Traffic Code?
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FORWARD
Because of the significant mobility of today’s traffic and the influx of motorists from many
areas, every driver has a right to expect the rules governing the movement of vehicles and
pedestrians on streets and highways are clearly defined and reasonably uniform throughout the
state and the nation.
The General Assembly of the State of Colorado has recognized that conflicts between the state’s
traffic laws and municipal traffic ordinances lead to inconsistencies in the movement of traffic
and has strengthened the requirements for uniformity of traffic regulations in the following
terms:
“This article constitutes the uniform traffic code throughout the state and in all political
subdivisions and municipalities therein”. (Source: 42- 4-110 (1), C.R.S.)
“All local authorities may, in the manner prescribed in article 16 of title 31, C.R.S., or in article
15 of title 30, C.R.S., adopt by reference all or any part of a model traffic code which embodies
the rules of the road and vehicle requirements set forth in this article and such other additional
regulations as are provided for in section 42-4-111; except that, in the case of state highways,
any such additional regulations shall have the approval of the department of transportation”.
(Source: 42-4-110 (1)(b), C.R.S.)
“No local authority shall adopt, enact, or enforce on any street which is a state highway any
ordinance, rule, or resolution which alters or changes the meaning of the “rules of the road” or is
otherwise in conflict with the provisions of this article. For the purpose of this section, the “rules
of the road” shall be construed to mean any of the regulations on the operation of vehicles set
forth in this article which drivers throughout the state are required to obey without the benefit or
necessity of official traffic control devices as declared in section 42-4-603 (2).” (Source: 42- 4-
110(1)(c), C.R.S.)
These provisions leave little doubt that the basic driving rules are expected to be uniform
statewide for the protection of Colorado drivers and pedestrians. If state laws and local
government traffic codes are to serve their purpose they must complement one another and be
given the widest possible publicity as companion documents.
The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances points out that it is not the
proper purpose of traffic legislation to impose unnecessary or unreasonable restrictions on street
or highway traffic, but to ensure, as far as this can be done by law and its enforcement, that
traffic shall move smoothly, efficiently and safely; that no legitimate user of the street or
highway, whether in a vehicle or on foot, shall be killed, injured or frustrated in such use by the
improper behavior of others.
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Through the cooperative efforts of both state and local governments, the “Model Traffic Code
for Colorado” has been developed to make available a specimen set of motor vehicle and traffic
regulations that track state law.
Section 42-4-105, C.R.S., states that all traffic control devices placed or maintained by local
authorities shall conform to the most recent edition of the federal “Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices” (MUTCD) and the state supplement thereto.
Traffic regulatory areas preempted by state law have not been made part of the Code. Local
governments are urged to bring their traffic ordinances into harmony with the current Code.
Local governments that adopt the Code by reference are cautioned not to make any changes or
additions which are in conflict with state law. However, the adopting local governments are at
liberty to delete any parts, articles, or sections which are deemed to be inapplicable. A specimen
ordinance and specimen public notices for adopting the Code by reference will be found in the
Appendix.
The following official state documents work in tandem to provide a uniform system of traffic
regulation and accepted traffic engineering practices for greater operational efficiency and safety:
Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.), Title 42, Article 4 - Uniform traffic code for the State of
Colorado. Updated periodically to correlate with national model legislation.
Model Traffic Code for Colorado – Model ordinance embodies provisions of Colorado Law
applicable to driving in municipalities and counties in a form that can be adopted by
reference.
Colorado Drivers Manual – Drivers’ handbooks authorized by Colorado statute. Issued by the
Colorado Department of Revenue (Division of Motor Vehicles). Traffic control text and
illustrations developed by the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) – Manual of Federal Highway
Administration approved traffic control devices. Updated periodically and adopted by the
Transportation Commission as required by Colorado Law.
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PART 1
TRAFFIC REGULATION - GENERALLY
101. Short title.
102. Legislative declaration.
103. Scope and effect of Code – exceptions to provisions.
(1) This Code constitutes the model traffic code throughout this jurisdiction.
(2) The provisions of this Code relating to the operation of vehicles and the movement of
pedestrians refer exclusively to the use of streets and highways except:
(a) Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section;
(b) For provisions of sections 1401, 1402 and 1413 of this Code which shall apply upon
streets and highways and elsewhere throughout the jurisdiction.
104. Adoption of traffic control manual.
- See Appendices Part A.
105. Local traffic control devices.
Local authorities shall place and maintain such traffic control devices upon highways
under their jurisdiction as they may deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of
this Code or local traffic ordinances or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic, subject in the case of
state highways to the provisions of sections 42-4-110 and 43-2-135 (1) (g), C.R.S. All such
traffic control devices shall conform to the state manual and specifications for statewide
uniformity as provided in section 42-4-104, C.R.S.
106. Who may restrict right to use highways.
(1) Local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may by ordinance
or resolution prohibit the operation of vehicles upon any such highway or impose restrictions as
to the weight of vehicles to be operated upon any such highway, for a total period of not to
exceed ninety days in any one calendar year, whenever any said highway by reason of
deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed
unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced.
(2) After enacting any such ordinance signs designating the permissible weights shall be
erected and maintained.
(3) This local government, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, may also, by
ordinance or resolution, prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles on
designated highways or may impose limitations as to the weight thereof, which prohibitions and
limitations shall be designated by appropriate signs placed on such highways.
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(4) The department of transportation shall likewise have authority as granted in this
section to local authorities to determine by resolution and to impose restrictions as to the weight
of vehicles operated upon any highway under the jurisdiction of said department, and such
restrictions shall be effective when signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the highways or
portion of any highway affected by such resolution.
(4.5) (a) The department of transportation has authority to close any portion of a state
highway to public travel.
(b) (I) A person who operates a motor vehicle or vehicle combination over thirty-five
feet in length on state highway 82 between mile markers 47 and 72 in violation of a closure
under paragraph (a) of this subsection (4.5) is subject to an enhanced penalty as set forth in
section 1701 (4) (a) (I) (F).
(II) A person who operates a motor vehicle or vehicle combination over thirty-five feet
in length on state highway 82 between mile markers 47 and 72 in violation of a closure
under paragraph (a) of this subsection (4.5) where the result of the violation is an incident
that causes the closure of a travel lane in one or both directions, is subject to an enhanced
penalty as set forth in section 1701 (4)(a)(I)(F).
(5) (a) (I)
(A) The department of transportation may close any portion of a state highway for public
use during dangerous driving conditions, during construction or maintenance operations, or when
necessary for the protection and safety of the public.
(B) When icy or snow-packed conditions exist on the highway, the department of
transportation may restrict travel on or use of any portion of a state highway by any motor
vehicle unless the motor vehicle is equipped with the following: Tire chains or an alternate
traction device; four-wheel drive with tires that have a tread depth of at least three sixteenths of
an inch and that are adequate for the conditions; all-wheel drive with tires that have a tread depth
of at least three sixteenths of an inch and that are adequate for the conditions; or tires that are
imprinted by a manufacturer with a mountain-snowflake, “MS”, “M+S”, or “M/S” symbol or
that are all-weather rated by the manufacturer and that have a tread depth of at least three
sixteenths of an inch.
(C) A closure or restriction under this subsection (5) is effective when signs, including
temporary or electronic signs, that notify the public of the closure or restriction are erected upon
the highway, and the restriction in subsection (5)(a)(I)(B) of this section is effective on interstate
70 between milepost 133 (Dotsero) and milepost 259 (Morrison) from September 1 through May
31 of each year. It is unlawful to proceed when a state highway is closed or to proceed when a
restriction is in effect without the equipment required by this subsection (5).
(D) The Colorado state patrol shall cooperate with the department of transportation in the
enforcement of a closing or restriction under this subsection (5).
(E) The driver of a commercial vehicle with four or more drive wheels, other than a bus,
shall affix tire chains to at least four of the drive wheel tires when the vehicle is required to be
equipped with tire chains under this subsection (5). The driver of a bus shall affix tire chains to at
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least two of the drive wheel tires when the vehicle is required to be equipped with tire chains
under this subsection (5).
(F) A person who violates this subsection (5)(a)(I) commits a traffic infraction and is
subject to the penalties in section 42-4-1701 (4)(a)(I)(F).
(II) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of restrictions imposed by the
department of transportation or the state patrol under subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a),
where the result of the violation is an incident that causes the closure of a travel lane in one or
both directions, shall be subject to an enhanced penalty as set forth in section 42-4-1701
(4)(a)(I)(F).
(III) A person who violates subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) while operating a
commercial vehicle shall be subject to an enhanced penalty as set forth in section 42-4-1701
(4)(a)(I)(F).
(IV) A person who violates subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) while operating a
commercial vehicle and the violation causes a closure in a travel lane shall be subject to an
enhanced penalty as set forth in section 42-4-1701 (4)(a)(I)(F).
(V) If a fine is enhanced under subparagraphs (III) and (IV) of this paragraph (a), the
portion of the fine that exceeds the fine imposed under subparagraph (I) for an enhancement
under subparagraph (III), or subparagraph (II) for an enhancement under subparagraph (IV), that
is allocated to the state by sections 42-1-217 and 43-4-205, C.R.S., shall be transferred to the
state treasurer, who shall deposit it in the highway construction workers’ safety account within
the highway users tax fund created by section 42-4-1701 (4)(c)(II)(B), to be continuously
appropriated to the department of transportation for work zone safety equipment, signs, and law
enforcement.
(VI) Subparagraphs (III) and (IV) of this paragraph (a) shall not apply to a tow operator
who is towing a motor vehicle or traveling to a site from which a motor vehicle shall be towed.
(VII) The Colorado department of transportation shall identify an appropriate place for
commercial vehicles to apply chains, if necessary, to comply with subparagraph (I) of this
paragraph (a) and provide adequate notice to commercial vehicle operators of such places.
(b) The transportation commission may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of
this subsection (5).
(c) As used in this subsection (5):
(I) “Alternate traction device” means a device that is approved by the Colorado
department of transportation as capable of providing traction comparable to that of metal chains
or tire cables under similar conditions.
(II) “Equipped” means that a motor vehicle uses or carries the appropriate traction
equipment for icy or snow-packed conditions.
(III) “Tire chains” means metal chains consisting of two circular metal loops, one on
each side of the tire, connected by no fewer than nine evenly spaced chains across the tire tread.
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(6)(a) Local authorities may, within their respective jurisdictions, for the purpose of road
construction and maintenance, temporarily close to through traffic or to all vehicular traffic any
highway or portion thereof for a period not to exceed a specified number of workdays for project
completion and shall, in conjunction with any such road closure, establish appropriate detours or
provide for an alternative routing of the traffic affected when, in the opinion of concerned local
authorities, as evidenced by resolution or ordinance, such temporary closing of the highway or
portion thereof and the rerouting of traffic is necessary for traffic safety and for the protection of
work crews and road equipment. Such temporary closing of the highway or portion thereof and
the routing of traffic along other roads shall not become effective until official traffic control
devices are erected giving notice of the restrictions, and, when such devices are in place, no
driver shall disobey the instructions or directions thereof.
(b) Local authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, may provide for the temporary
closing to vehicular traffic of any portion of a highway during a specified period of the day for
the purpose of celebrations, parades, and special local events or civil functions when in the
opinion of said authorities such temporary closing is necessary for the safety and protection of
persons who are to use that portion of the highway during the temporary closing.
(c) Local authorities shall enter in to agreements with one another for the establishment,
signing and marking of appropriate detours and alternative routes which jointly affect local road
systems and which are necessary to carry out the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
subsection (6). Any temporary closing of the street which is a state highway and any rerouting
of state highway traffic shall have the approval of the department before such closing becomes
effective.
(7) A person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
107. Obedience to police officers.
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of
any police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic. Any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
108. Public officers to obey provisions - exceptions for emergency vehicles.
(1) The provisions of this Code applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways
shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state, or any
county, city, town, district, or other political subdivision of the state, subject to such specific
exceptions as are set forth in this Code with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.
(2) The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency
call, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, or when responding to but
not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but
subject to the conditions stated in this Code. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(a) Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this Code or State law;
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(b) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be
necessary for safe operation;
(c) Exceed the lawful speeds set forth in section 1101(2) or exceed the maximum lawful
speed limits set forth in section 1101 (8) so long as said driver does not endanger life or property;
(d) Disregard regulations governing directions of movement or turning in specified
directions.
(3) The exemptions and conditions provided in paragraphs (b) to (d), in their entirety, of
subsection (2) of this section for an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such
vehicle is making use of audible or visual signals meeting the requirements of section 213, and
the exemption granted in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section shall apply only when
such vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of section 213 unless using
such visual signals would cause an obstruction to the normal flow of traffic; except that an
authorized emergency vehicle being operated as a police vehicle while in actual pursuit of a
suspected violator of any provision of this title need not display or make use of audible or visual
signals so long as such pursuit is being made to obtain verification of or evidence of the guilt of
the suspected violator. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require an emergency vehicle
to make use of audible signals when such vehicle is not moving, whether or not the vehicle is
occupied.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency
vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such
provisions protect the driver from the consequences of such driver’s reckless disregard for the
safety of others.
109. Low-power scooters, animals, skis, skates, and toy vehicles on highways.
(1) A person riding a low-power scooter upon a roadway where low-power scooter travel
is permitted shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties and penalties
applicable to the driver of a vehicle as set forth in this Code except those provisions of this Code
that, by their very nature, can have no application.
(2) A person riding a low-power scooter shall not ride other than upon or astride a
permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
(3) No low-power scooter shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
number for which it is designed and equipped.
(4) No person riding upon any low-power scooter, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy
vehicle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
(5) A person operating a low-power scooter upon a roadway shall ride as close to the
right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or
one proceeding in the same direction.
(6) Persons riding low-power scooters upon a roadway shall not ride more than two
abreast.
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(6.5) A person under the age of eighteen years may not operate or carry a passenger who
is under eighteen years of age on a low-power scooter unless the person and the passenger are
wearing protective helmets in accordance with the provisions of section 1502 (4.5) of this Code.
(7) For the sake of uniformity and bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, and low-power
scooter safety throughout the state, the department of revenue in cooperation with the department
of transportation shall prepare and make available to all local jurisdictions for distribution to
bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, and low-power scooter riders a digest of state regulations
explaining and illustrating the rules of the road, equipment requirements, and traffic control
devices that are applicable to such riders and their bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles, or low-
power scooters.
(8) Persons riding or leading animals on or along any highway shall ride or lead such
animals on the left side of said highway, facing approaching traffic. This shall not apply to
persons driving herds of animals along highways.
(9) No person shall use the highways for traveling on skis, toboggans, coasting sleds,
skates, or similar devices. It is unlawful for any person to use any roadway of this state as a sled
or ski course for the purpose of coasting on sleds, skis, or similar devices. It is also unlawful for
any person upon roller skates or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar
device to go upon any roadway except while crossing a highway in a crosswalk, and when so
crossing such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties
applicable to pedestrians. This subsection (9) does not apply to any public way which is set aside
by proper authority as a play street and which is adequately roped off or otherwise marked for
such purpose.
(10) Every person riding or leading an animal or driving any animal-drawn conveyance
upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties
applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Code, except those provisions of this Code which by
their very nature can have no application.
(11) Where suitable bike paths, horseback trails, or other trails have been established on
the right-of-way or parallel to and within one-fourth mile of the right-of-way of heavily traveled
streets and highways, the department of transportation may, subject to the provisions of section
43-2-135, C.R.S., by resolution or order entered in its minutes, and local authorities may, where
suitable bike paths, horseback trails, or other trails have been established on the right-of-way or
parallel to it within four hundred fifty feet of the right-of-way of heavily traveled streets, by
ordinance, determine and designate, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation,
those heavily traveled streets and highways upon which shall be prohibited any bicycle, electrical
assisted bicycle, animal rider, animal-drawn conveyance, or other class or kind of nonmotorized
traffic that is found to be incompatible with the normal and safe movement of traffic, and, upon
such a determination, the department of transportation or local authority shall erect appropriate
official signs giving notice thereof; except that, with respect to controlled access highways,
section 1010 (3) shall apply. When such official signs are erected, no person shall violate any of
the instructions contained thereon.
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(12) The parent of any child or guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly
permit any child or ward to violate any provision of this section.
(13) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (13), any person
who violates a provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
(b) Any person who violates subsection (6.5) of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
109.5. Low-speed electric vehicles.
(1) (a) A low-speed electric vehicle may be operated only on a roadway that has a speed
limit equal to or less than thirty-five miles per hour; except that it may be operated to directly
cross a roadway that has a speed limit greater than thirty-five miles per hour at an at-grade
crossing to continue traveling along a roadway with a speed limit equal to or less than thirty-five
miles per hour.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), a low-speed electric vehicle may
be operated on a state highway that has a speed limit equal to forty miles per hour or cross a
roadway with a speed limit equal to forty miles per hour to cross at-grade, if:
(I) Such roadway's lane width is eleven feet or greater;
(II) Such roadway provides two or more lanes in either direction; and
(III) The Colorado department of transportation has determined, in consultation with
local government and law enforcement, upon the basis of a traffic investigation, survey,
appropriate design standards, or projected volumes, that the operation of a low-speed electric
vehicle on the roadway poses no substantial safety risk or hazard to motorists, bicyclists,
pedestrians, or other persons.
(2) No person shall operate a low-speed electric vehicle on a limited-access highway.
(3) Any person who violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
109.6. Class B low-speed electric vehicles - effective date - rules.
(1) A class B low speed electric vehicle may be operated only on a roadway that has a
speed limit equal to or less than forty-five miles per hour; except that it may be operated to
directly cross a roadway that has a speed limit greater than forty-five miles per hour at an at-
grade crossing to continue traveling along a roadway with a speed limit equal to or less than
forty-five miles per hour.
(2) No person shall operate a class B low speed electric vehicle on a limited-access
highway.
(3) Any person who violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
(4) For the purposes of this section, “class B low-speed electric vehicle” means a low-
speed electric vehicle that is capable of traveling at greater than twenty-five miles per hour but
less than forty-five miles per hour.
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(5) (a) The department of revenue shall not register or issue a title for a class B low-speed
electric vehicle until after the United States department of transportation, through the national
highway traffic safety administration, has adopted a federal motor vehicle safety standard for
low-speed electric vehicles that authorizes operation at greater than twenty-five miles per hour
but less than forty-five miles per hour.
(b) After the United States department of transportation, through the national highway
traffic safety administration, has adopted a federal motor vehicle safety standard for low-speed
electric vehicles that authorizes operation at greater than twenty-five miles per hour but less than
forty-five miles per hour, the department of revenue shall promulgate rules authorizing the
operation of class B low-speed electric vehicles in compliance with this section and shall notify
the revisor of statutes in writing. Upon the promulgation of rules authorizing the operation of
such vehicles, subsections (1) to (3) of this section shall take effect.
(6) The Colorado department of transportation may regulate the operation of a class B
low-speed electric vehicle on a state highway located outside of a municipality. The regulation
shall take effect when the Colorado department of transportation places an appropriate sign that
provides adequate notice of the regulation.
110. Provisions uniform throughout jurisdiction.
(1) The provisions of this Code shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and
in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein. Local governments shall regulate and
enforce all traffic and parking restrictions on streets which are state highways as provided in
section 43-2-135 (1)(g), C.R.S. All local authorities may enact and enforce traffic regulations on
other roads and streets within their respective jurisdictions. All such regulations shall be subject
to the following conditions and limitations:
(a) All local governments may enact, adopt, or enforce traffic regulations which cover the
same subject matter as the various sections of this Code or state law and such additional
regulations as are included in section 111, except as otherwise stated in paragraphs (c ) to (e ) of
this subsection (1).
(b) All local authorities may, in the manner prescribed in article 16 of title 31, C.R.S. or
in article 15 of title 30, C.R.S., adopt by reference all or any part of a model traffic code which
embodies the rules of the road and vehicle requirements set forth in this article and such
additional regulations as are provided for in section 111; except that in the case of state
highways, any such additional regulation shall have the approval of the department of
transportation.
(c) No local authority shall adopt, enact, or enforce on any street which is a state
highway any ordinance, rule, or resolution which alters or changes the meaning of any of the
“rules of the road” or is otherwise in conflict with the provisions of this article. For the purpose
of this section, the “rules of the road” shall be construed to mean any of the regulations on the
operation of vehicles set forth in this article which drivers throughout the state are required to
9
obey without the benefit or necessity of official traffic control devices as declared in section
603(2)
(d) In no event shall local authorities have the power to enact by ordinance regulations
governing the driving of vehicles by persons under the influence of alcohol or of a controlled
substance as defined in section 18-18-102(5), C.R.S., or under the influence of any other drug to
a degree that renders any such person incapable of safely operating a vehicle, or whose ability to
operate a vehicle is impaired by the consumption of alcohol or by the use of a controlled
substance as defined in section 18-18-102(5), C.R.S., or any other drug, the registration of
vehicles and the licensing of drivers, the duties and obligations of persons involved in traffic
accidents, and vehicle equipment requirements in conflict with the provisions of this article; but
said local authorities within their respective jurisdictions shall enforce the state laws pertaining
to these subjects, and in every charge of violation the complaint shall specify the section of state
law under which the charge is made and the state court having jurisdiction.
(2) The municipal courts have jurisdiction over violations of traffic regulations enacted
or adopted by municipalities.
(3) No person convicted of or pleading guilty to a violation of a municipal traffic
ordinance shall be charged or tried in a state court for the same or similar offense.
(4) (a) Any local government located within the program area of the AIR program area
as defined in section 304 may adopt ordinances or resolutions pertaining to the enforcement of
the emissions control inspection requirements set forth in section 310.
(b) An officer coming upon an unattended vehicle in the program area which is in
apparent violation of an ordinance or resolution adopted as authorized in paragraph (a) of this
subsection (4) may place upon such a vehicle a penalty assessment notice indicating the offense
and direction the owner or operator of such vehicle a penalty assessment notice indicating the
offense and directing the owner or operator of such vehicle to remit the penalty assessment as set
forth in such ordinance to the local jurisdiction in whose name the penalty assessment notice was
issued.
(c) The aggregate amount of fines, penalties, or forfeitures collected pursuant to
ordinances or resolutions adopted as authorized in paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall be
retained by the local jurisdiction in whose name such penalty notice was issued.
(5) The general assembly declares that the adjudication of class A and class B traffic
infractions through the county court magistrate system was not intended to create a conflict
between the provisions of this article and municipal ordinances covering the same subject matter
as this article nor was it intended to require or prohibit the decriminalization of municipal
ordinances covering the same subject matter as this article. Municipalities may continue to
enforce violations of such ordinances through municipal court even though similar state offenses
are enforced through the magistrate system established under this article.
(6) (a) The general assembly hereby finds that the use of automated driving systems will
help people who may have difficulty driving, including people who are elderly and people with
disabilities, gain access to goods and services essential to daily life. This access requires
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traveling across and in multiple jurisdictions. Therefore, the regulation of automated driving
systems is a matter of statewide concern.
(b) A state agency or a political subdivision of the state shall not adopt or enforce a
policy, rule, or ordinance that sets standards for an automated driving system that are different
from the standards set for a human driver.
110.5. Automated vehicle identification systems – definition. (1) The general assembly
hereby finds and declares that the enforcement of traffic laws through the use of automated
vehicle identification systems under this section is a matter of statewide concern and is an area in
which uniform state standards are necessary.
(1.5) Except as set out in (1.7), nothing in this section shall apply to a violation detected
by an automated vehicle identification device for driving twenty-five miles per hour or more in
excess of the reasonable and prudent speed or twenty-five miles per hour or more in excess of
the maximum speed limit of seventy-five miles per hour detected by the use of an automated
vehicle identification device.
(1.7)(a) An automated vehicle identification system shall not be used under this
subsection (1.7) unless maintenance, repair, or construction is occurring at the time the system is
being used.
(2) A local authority may adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of an automated vehicle
identification system to detect violations of traffic regulations adopted by the municipality or the
local authority may utilize an automated vehicle identification system to detect traffic violations
under state law, subject to the following conditions and limitations:
(a) (I) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2002, p. 570, § 1, effective May 24, 2002.
(II) If a local authority detects any alleged violation of a local traffic regulation or traffic
violation under state law through the use of an automated vehicle identification system, then the
state, county, city and county or municipality shall serve the penalty assessment notice or
summons and complaint for a violation detected using an automated vehicle on the defendant no
later than ninety days after the alleged violation occurred. If a penalty assessment notice or
summons and complaint for a violation detected using an automated vehicle identification
system is personally served, the state, a county, a city and county, or a municipality may only
charge the actual costs of service of process that shall be no more than the amount usually
charged for civil service of process.
111. Powers of Local Authorities. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this
section, this article does not prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under
their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power, from:
(a) Regulating or prohibiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles, consistent with the
provisions of this article;
(b) Establishing parking meter zones where it is determined upon the basis of an engineering
and traffic investigation that the installation and operation of parking meetings is necessary to aid
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in the regulation and control of the parking of vehicles during the hours and on the days specified
on parking meter signs;
(c) Regulating traffic by means of police officers or official traffic control devices, consistent
with the provisions of this article;
(d) Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on the highways, consistent with the
provisions of this article;
(e) Designating particular highways or roadways for use by traffic moving in one direction,
consistent with the provisions of this article;
(f) Designating any highway as a through highway or designating any intersection as a stop or
yield intersection, consistent with the provisions of this article;
(g) Designating truck routes and restricting the use of highways, consistent with the provisions
of this article;
(h) Regulating the operation of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles and requiring the
registration and licensing of same, including the requirement of a registration fee, consistent with
the provisions of this article;
(i) Altering or establishing speed limits, consistent with the provisions of this article;
(j) Establishing speed limits for vehicles in public parks, consistent with the provisions of this
article;
(k) Determining and designating streets, parts of streets, or specific lanes thereon upon which
vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction during one period and the opposite direction
during another period of the day, consistent with the provisions of this article;
(l) Regulating or prohibiting the turning of vehicles, consistent with the provisions of this
article;
(m) Designating no-passing zones, consistent with the provisions of this article;
(n) Prohibiting or regulating the use of controlled-access roadways by nonmotorized traffic or
other kinds of traffic, consistent with the provisions of this Code;
(o) Establishing minimum speed limits, consistent with the provisions of this Code;
(p) Designating hazardous railroad crossings, consistent with the provisions of this Code;
(q) Designating and regulating traffic on play streets, consistent with the provisions of this
article;
(r ) Prohibiting or restricting pedestrian crossing, consistent with the provisions of this Code;
(s ) Regulating the movement of traffic at school crossings by official traffic control devices or
by duly authorized school crossing guards, consistent with the provisions of the Code;
(t ) Regulating persons propelling push carts;
(u) Regulating persons upon skates, coasters, sleds, or similar devices, consistent with the
provisions of this Code;
(v) Adopting such temporary or experimental regulations as may be necessary to cover
emergencies or special conditions;
(w) Adopting such other traffic regulations as are provided for by this article;
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(x) Closing a street or portion thereof temporarily and establishing appropriate detours or an
alternative routing for the traffic affected, consistent with the provisions of this article;
(y) Regulating the local movement of traffic or the use of local streets where such is not
provided for in that article;
(z) Regulating the operation of low-powered scooters, consistent with the provisions of this
article; except that local authorities shall be prohibited from establishing any requirements for
the registration and licensing of low powered scooters;
(aa) Regulating the operation of low-speed electric vehicles, including, without limitation,
establishing a safety inspection program, on streets and highways under their jurisdiction by
resolution or ordinance of the governing body, if such regulation is consistent with this Code;
(bb) Authorizing and regulating the operation of golf cars on roadways by resolution or
ordinance of the governing body, if the authorization or regulation is consistent with this title and
does not authorize:
(I) An unlicensed driver of a golf car to carry a passenger who is under twenty-one
years of age;
(II) Operation of a golf car by a person under sixteen years of age; or
(III) Operation of a golf car on a state highway; except that the ordinance or resolution
may authorize a person to drive a golf car directly across a state highway at an at-
grade sidewalk, bike path, or pedestrian path consistent with section 42-4-117(I)
and (3), C.R.S.;
(cc) Authorizing, prohibiting, or regulating the use of an EPAMD on a roadway, sidewalk, bike
path, or pedestrian path consistent with section 117(1) and (3);
(dd) Authorizing the use of the electrical motor on an electrical assisted bicycle on a bike or
pedestrian path;
(ee) Enacting the idling standards in conformity with section 42-14-103, C.R.S.
(2)(a) An ordinance or regulation enacted under paragraph (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (i), (j), (k), (l),
(m), (n ), (o), (p), (q), (r ), (v), (x), (y), (aa), or (cc) of subsection (1) of this section may not take
effect until official signs or other traffic control devices conforming to standards as required by
section 42-4-602, C.R.S., and giving notice of the local traffic regulations are placed upon or at
the entrances to the highway or part thereof affected as may be most appropriate.
(b) Subsection (1) of this section does not authorize a local authority to regulate or authorize
the use of vehicles and motor vehicles on the state highway system that is subject to section 43-
2-135, C.R.S., except in at-grade crossings where the roadway subject to the local authority’s
jurisdiction crosses the state highway. The local authority may regulate vehicles within such
crossings only to the extent necessary to effect the local authority’s power to regulate the
roadway under the local authority’s jurisdiction and only if the regulation or authorization does
not interfere with the normal operation of the state highway.
(3) (a) A board of county commissioners may by resolution authorize the use of designated
portions of unimproved county roads within the unincorporated portion of the county for motor
vehicles participating in timed endurance events and for such purposes shall make such
13
regulations relating to the use of such roads and the operation of vehicles as are consistent with
public safety in the conduct of such event and with the cooperation of county law enforcement
officials.
(b) Such resolution by a board of county commissioners and regulations based thereon shall
designate the specific route which may be used in such event, the time limitations imposed upon
such use, any necessary restrictions in the use of such route by persons not participating in such
event, special regulations concerning the operation of vehicles while participating in such event
in which case any provisions of this article to the contrary shall not apply to such event, and such
requirements concerning the sponsorship of any such event as may be reasonably necessary to
assure adequate responsibility therefor.
112. Noninterference with the rights of owners of realty.
Subject to the exception provided in section 103 (2), nothing in this Code shall be
construed to prevent the owner of real property used by the public for purposes of vehicular
travel by permission of the owner and not as matter of right from prohibiting such use, or from
requiring other or different or additional conditions than those specified in this Code, or from
otherwise regulating such use as may seem best to such owner.
113. Appropriations for administration of article.
(See §42-4-113 C.R.S.)
114. Removal of traffic hazards.
(1) Local authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, may by written notice sent by
certified mail require the owner of real property abutting on the right-of-way of any highway,
sidewalk, or other public way to trim or remove, at the expense of said property owner, any tree
limb or any shrub, vine, hedge, or other plant which projects beyond the property line of such
owner onto or over the public right-of-way and thereby obstructs the view of traffic, obscures
any traffic control device, or otherwise constitutes a hazard to drivers or pedestrians.
(2) It is the duty of the property owner to remove any dead, overhanging boughs of trees
located on the premises of such property owner that endanger life or property on the public right-
of-way.
(3) In the event that any property owner fails or neglects to trim or remove any such tree
limb or any such shrub, vine, hedge, or other plant within ten days after receipt of written notice
from said local authority to do so, said local authority may do or cause to be done the necessary
work incident thereto, and said property owner shall reimburse the state or local authority for the
cost of the work performed.
115. Information on traffic law enforcement - collection - profiling - annual report -
repeal. (Repealed)
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116. Restrictions for minor drivers - definitions.
(1) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (1), a minor driver shall not
operate a motor vehicle containing a passenger who is under twenty-one years of age and who is
not a member of the driver’s immediate family until such driver has held a valid driver’s license
for at least six months.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (1), a minor driver shall not
operate a motor vehicle containing more than one passenger who is under twenty-one years of
age and who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family until such driver has held a valid
driver’s license for at least one year.
(c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (1) shall not apply if:
(I) The motor vehicle contains the minor’s parent or legal guardian or other responsible
adult described in section 42-2-108, C.R.S.;
(II) The motor vehicle contains an adult twenty-one years of age or older who currently
holds a valid driver’s license and has held such license for at least one year;
(III) The passenger who is under twenty-one years of age is in the vehicle on account of a
medical emergency;
(IV) All passengers who are under twenty-one years of age are members of the driver’s
immediate family and all such passengers are wearing a seatbelt.
(2) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), a minor driver shall not
operate a motor vehicle between 12 midnight and 5 a.m. until such driver has held a driver’s
license for at least one year.
(b) This subsection (2) shall not apply if:
(I) The motor vehicle contains the minor’s parent or legal guardian or other responsible
adult described in section 42-2-108, C.R.S.;
(II) The motor vehicle contains an adult twenty-one years of age or older who currently
holds a valid driver’s license and has held such license for at least one year;
(III) The minor is driving to school or a school-authorized activity when the school does
not provide adequate transportation, so long as the driver possesses a signed statement from the
school official containing the date the activity will occur;
(IV) The minor is driving on account of employment when necessary, so long as the
driver possesses a signed statement from the employer verifying employment;
(V) The minor is driving on account of a medical emergency; or
(VI) The minor is an emancipated minor.
(3) A violation of this section is a traffic infraction, and, upon conviction, the violator
may be punished as follows:
(a) By the imposition of not less than eight hours nor more than twenty-four hours of
community service for a first offense and not less than sixteen hours nor more than forty hours of
community service for a subsequent offense;
15
(b) By the levying of a fine of not more than fifty dollars for a first offense, a fine of not
more than one hundred dollars for a second offense, and a fine of one hundred fifty dollars for a
subsequent offense;
(c) By an assessment of two license suspension points pursuant to section 42-2-
127(5)(kk), C.R.S.
(4) For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Emancipated minor” means an individual under eighteen years of age whose parents
or guardian has surrendered parental responsibilities, custody, and the right to the care and
earnings of such person, and are no longer under a duty to support such person.
(b) “Minor driver” means a person who is operating a motor vehicle and who is under
eighteen years of age.
(5) No driver in a motor vehicle shall be cited for a violation of this section unless such
driver was stopped by a law enforcement officer for an alleged violation of Codes 1 to 4 of Title
42, CRS other than a violation of this section.
117. Personal mobility devices.
(1) A rider of an EPAMD shall have all the same rights and duties as an operator of any
other vehicle under this Code, except as to those provisions that by their nature have no
application.
(2) Unless otherwise prohibited, an EPAMD may be operated on a roadway in
conformity with vehicle use.
(3) An EPAMD shall not be operated:
(a) On a limited-access highway;
(b) On a bike or pedestrian path; or
(c) At a speed of greater than twelve and one-half miles per hour.
(4) A person who violates this section commits a class B traffic infraction.2
(7) Repealed.
118. Establishment of wildlife crossing zones - report - repeal.
(1) The department of transportation created in section 43-1-103, C.R.S., in consultation
with both the Colorado state patrol created pursuant to section 24-33.5-201, C.R.S., and the
division of wildlife created pursuant to section 24-1-124 (3) (h), C.R.S., in the department of
natural resources, may establish areas within the public highways of the state as wildlife crossing
zones.
(2) (a) If the department of transportation establishes an area within a public highway of
the state as a wildlife crossing zone, the department of transportation may erect signs:
(I) Identifying the zone in accordance with the provisions of section 42-4-616; and
(II) Establishing a lower speed limit for the portion of the highway that lies within the
zone.
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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) to the contrary,
the department of transportation shall not establish a lower speed limit for more than one
hundred miles of the public highways of the state that have been established as wildlife crossing
zones.
(3) (a) The department of transportation may establish an area within the federal
highways of the state as a wildlife crossing zone if the department of transportation receives
authorization from the federal government.
(b) If the department of transportation establishes an area within the federal highways of
the state as a wildlife crossing zone pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), the
department of transportation may erect signs:
(I) Identifying the zone in accordance with the provisions of section 42-4-616; and
(II) Establishing a lower speed limit for the portion of the highway that lies within the
zone.
(4) If the department of transportation erects a new wildlife crossing zone sign pursuant
to subsection (2) or (3) of this section, it shall ensure that the sign indicates, in conformity with
the state traffic control manual, that increased traffic penalties are in effect within the wildlife
crossing zone. For the purposes of this section, it shall be sufficient that the sign states "increased
penalties in effect".
(5) In establishing a lower speed limit within a wildlife crossing zone, the department of
transportation shall give due consideration to factors including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) The percentage of traffic accidents that occur within the area that involve the presence
of wildlife on the public highway;
(b) The relative levels of traffic congestion and mobility in the area; and
(c) The relative numbers of traffic accidents that occur within the area during the daytime
and evening hours and involve the presence of wildlife on the public highway.
(6) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "wildlife" shall have the
same meaning as "big game" as set forth in section 33-1-102 (2), C.R.S.
(7) (a) On or before March 1, 2012, the department of transportation shall prepare and
submit to the transportation and energy committee of the house of representatives and the
transportation committee of the senate, or any successor committees, a report concerning the
implementation of this section. The report, at a minimum, shall include:
(I) The location and length of each wildlife crossing zone that the department of
transportation has established pursuant to this section;
(II) The total number of miles within the public highways of the state that the department
of transportation has established as wildlife crossing zones pursuant to this section;
(III) The total number of wildlife crossing zones within the state for which the
department of transportation has established a lower speed limit, including identification of each
wildlife crossing zone for which the department has established a lower speed limit;
17
(IV) The effect, if any, that the establishment of each wildlife crossing zone has had in
reducing the frequency of traffic accidents within the area of the public highway that has been
established as a wildlife crossing zone; and
(V) A recommendation by the department of transportation as to whether the general
assembly should:
(A) Discontinue the establishment of wildlife crossing zones;
(B) Continue the establishment of wildlife crossing zones, as limited by the provisions of
paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section; or
(C) Expand the establishment of wildlife crossing zones beyond the limits described in
paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section.
(b) This subsection (7) is repealed, effective March 2, 2012.
(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the department of transportation
shall not establish any area of any interstate highway as a wildlife crossing zone.
PART 2
EQUIPMENT
201. Obstruction of view or driving mechanism - hazardous situation.
(1) No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded or when there are in the front seat
such number of persons, exceeding three, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or
sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the
vehicle.
(2) No person shall knowingly drive a vehicle while any passenger therein is riding in
any manner which endangers the safety of such passenger or others.
(3) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle equipped with a video display visible to the
driver while the motor vehicle is in motion. The provisions of this subsection (3) does not
prohibit the usage of a computer, data terminal, or safety equipment in a motor vehicle so long as
the computer, data terminal, or safety equipment is not used to display visual entertainment,
including internet browsing, social media, and e-mail, to the driver while the motor vehicle is in
motion.
(4) No vehicle shall be operated upon any highway unless the driver’s vision through any
required glass equipment is normal and unobstructed.
(5) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to create a hazard for such
passenger or others, or to interfere with the driver’s view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere
with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle; nor shall the driver of a
vehicle permit any passenger therein to ride in such manner.
(6) No person shall hang on or otherwise attach himself or herself to the outside, top,
hood, or fenders of any vehicle, or to any other portion thereof, other than the specific enclosed
18
portion of such vehicle intended for passengers or while in a sitting position in the cargo area of
a vehicle if such area is fully or partially enclosed on all four sides, while the same is in motion;
nor shall the operator knowingly permit any person to hang on or otherwise attach himself or
herself to the outside, top, hood, or fenders of any vehicle, or any other portion thereof, other
than the specific enclosed portion of such vehicle intended for passengers or while in a sitting
position in the cargo area of a vehicle if such area is fully or partially enclosed on all four sides,
while the same is in motion. This subsection (6) shall not apply to parades, caravans, or
exhibitions which are officially authorized or otherwise permitted by law.
(7) The provisions of subsection (6) of this section shall not apply to a vehicle owned by
the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or to a vehicle owned by
the state of Colorado or any of its political subdivisions, or to a privately owned vehicle when
operating in a governmental capacity under contract with or permit from any governmental
subdivision or under permit issued by the public utilities commission of the state of Colorado,
when in the performance of their duties persons are required to stand or sit on the exterior of the
vehicle and said vehicle is equipped with adequate handrails and safeguards.
(8) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
202. Unsafe vehicles - penalty – identification plates.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly
permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in
such unsafe condition as to endanger any person, or which does not contain those parts or is not
at all times equipped with such lamps and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as
required in this section and sections 204 to 231 and part 3 of this Code, or which is equipped in
any manner in violation of said sections and part 3 or for any person to do any act forbidden or
fail to perform any act required under said sections and part 3.
(2) The provisions of this section and sections 204 to 231 and part 3 of this Code with
respect to equipment on vehicles shall not apply to implements of husbandry or farm tractors,
except as made applicable in said sections and part 3.
(3) Nothing in this Code shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and
accessories on any vehicle, consistent with the provisions of this Code.
(4)(a) Upon its approval, the department of revenue shall issue an identification plate for
each vehicle, motor vehicle, trailer, or item of special mobile machinery, or similar implement of
equipment, used in any type of construction business which shall, when said plate is affixed,
exempt any such item of equipment, machinery, trailer, or vehicle from all or part of this section
and sections 204 to 231 of this Code.
(b) The department of revenue is authorized to promulgate written rules and regulations
governing the application for, issuance of, and supervision, administration, and revocation of
such identification plates and exemption authority and to prescribe the terms and conditions
under which said plates may be issued for each item as set forth in paragraph (a) of this
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subsection (4), and the department of revenue, in so doing, shall consider the safety of users of
the public streets and highways and the type, nature, and use of such items set forth in paragraph
(a) of this subsection (4) for which exemption is sought.
(c) Each exempt item may be moved on the roads, streets, and highways during daylight
hours and at such time as vision is not less than five hundred feet. No cargo or supplies shall be
hauled upon such exempt item except cargo and supplies used in normal operation of any such
item.
(d) The identification plate shall be of a size and type designated and approved by the
department. A fee of one dollar shall be charged and collected by the department for the issuance
of each such identification plate. All such fees so collected shall be paid to the state treasurer
who shall credit the same to the highway users tax fund for allocation and expenditure as
specified in section 43-4-205(5.5)(b), C.R.S.
(e) Each such identification plate shall be issued for a calendar year. Application for such
identification plates shall be made by the owner, and such plates shall be issued to the owner of
each such item described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (4). Whenever the owner transfers,
sells, or assigns the owner's interest therein, the exemption of such item shall expire and the
owner shall remove the identification plate therefrom and forward the same to the department of
revenue.
(f) An owner shall report a lost or damaged identification plate to the department of
revenue, and, upon application to and approval by the department of revenue, the department
shall issue a replacement plate upon payment to it of a fee of fifty cents.
(g) Notwithstanding the amount specified for any fee in this subsection (4), the executive
director of the department of revenue by rule or as otherwise provided by law may reduce the
amount of one or more of the fees if necessary pursuant to section 24-75-402(3), C.R.S., to
reduce the uncommitted reserves of the fund to which all or any portion of one or more of the
fees is credited. After the uncommitted reserves of the fund are sufficiently reduced, the
executive director of the department of revenue by rule or as otherwise provided by law may
increase the amount of one or more of the fees as provided in section 24-75-402(4), C.R.S.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
203. Unsafe vehicles - spot inspections.
(1) Uniformed police officers, at any time upon reasonable cause, may require the driver
of a vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle and its equipment to an inspection and such test with
reference thereto as may be appropriate. The fact that a vehicle is an older model vehicle shall
not alone constitute reasonable cause. In the event such vehicle is found to be in an unsafe
condition or the required equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment, the
officer may give a written notice and issue a summons to the driver. Said notice shall require that
such vehicle be placed in safe condition and properly equipped or that its equipment be placed in
proper repair and adjustment, the particulars of which shall be specified on said notice.
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(2) In the event any such vehicle is, in the reasonable judgment of such police officer, in
such condition that further operation would be hazardous, the officer may require, in addition to
the instructions set forth in subsection (1) of this section, that the vehicle be moved at the
operator’s expense and not operated under its own power or that it be driven to the nearest
garage or other place of safety.
(3) Every owner or driver upon receiving the notice and summons issued pursuant to
subsection (1) of this section or mailed pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of this section
shall comply therewith and shall secure a certification upon such notice by a law enforcement
officer that such vehicle is in safe condition and its equipment has been placed in proper repair
and adjustment and otherwise made to conform to the requirements of this Code. Said
certification shall be returned to the owner or driver for presentation in court as provided for in
subsection (4) of this section.
(4) (a) (I) Except as provided for in subparagraph (II) or subparagraph (III) of this
paragraph (a), any owner receiving written notice and a summons pursuant to this section is
guilty of a misdemeanor traffic offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine
of one hundred dollars, payable within thirty days after conviction.
(II) If the owner repairs the unsafe condition or installs or adjusts the required equipment
within thirty days after issuance of the notice and summons and presents the certification
required in subsection (3) of this section to the court of competent jurisdiction, the owner shall
be punished by a fine of five dollars.
(III) If the owner submits to the court of competent jurisdiction within thirty days after
the issuance of the summons proof that the owner has disposed of the vehicle for junk parts or
immobilized the vehicle and also submits to the court the registration and license plates for the
vehicle, the owner shall be punished by a fine of five dollars. If the owner wishes to relicense the
vehicle in the future, the owner must obtain the certification required in subsection (3) of this
section.
(b) (I) Except as provided for in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (b), any nonowner
driver receiving written notice and a summons pursuant to this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor traffic offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of one
hundred dollars, payable within thirty days after conviction.
(II) If the driver submits to the court of competent jurisdiction within thirty days after the
issuance of the summons proof that the driver was not the owner of the car at the time the
summons was issued and that the driver mailed, within five days of issuance thereof, a copy of
the notice and summons by certified mail to the owner of the vehicle at the address on the
registration, the driver shall be punished by a fine of five dollars.
(c) Upon a showing of good cause that the required repairs or adjustments cannot be
made within thirty days after issuance of the notice and summons, the court of competent
jurisdiction may extend the period of time for installation or adjustment of required equipment as
may appear justified.
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(d) The owner may, in lieu of appearance, submit to the court of competent jurisdiction,
within thirty days after the issuance of the notice and summons, the certification specified in
subsection (3) of this section and the fine of five dollars.
204. When lighted lamps are required.
(1) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state, between sunset and sunrise and at any
other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and
vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead, shall
display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as required by this Code for different classes of
vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles.
(2) Whenever requirement is declared by this Code as to distance from which certain
lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be
visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in subsection (1) of this section in
respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal
atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
(3) Whenever requirement is declared by this Code as to the mounted height of lamps or
devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the
vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
205. Head lamps on motor vehicles.
(1) Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two head
lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall
comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in sections 202 and 204 to 231 and part 3
of this Code where applicable.
(2) Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head
lamps that shall comply with the requirements and limitations of sections 202 and 204 to 231 and
part 3 of this Code where applicable.
(3) Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle, shall be
located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than fifty-four inches
nor less than twenty-four inches, to be measured as set forth in section 204 (3).
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
206. Tail lamps and reflectors.
(1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer and any other vehicle which
is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles must be equipped with at least one tail lamp
mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in section 204, emits a red light plainly
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visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear; except that, in the case of a train of
vehicles, only the tail lamp on the rear-most vehicle need actually be seen from the distance
specified, and except as provided in section 204. Furthermore, every such vehicle registered in
this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958, must be equipped with at least
two tail lamps mounted on the rear, on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as
practicable, which, when lighted as required in section 204, comply with the provisions of this
section.
(2) Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than
seventy-two inches nor less than twenty inches, to be measured as set forth in section 204 (3).
(3) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to
illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a
distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail lamp, together with any separate lamp for illuminating
the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary
driving lamps are lighted.
(4) Every motor vehicle operated on and after January 1, 1958, upon a highway in the
state of Colorado must carry on the rear, either as part of a tail lamp or separately, one red
reflector meeting the requirements of this section; except that vehicles of the type mentioned in
section 207 shall be equipped with reflectors as required in those sections applicable thereto and
except as provided in section 204.
(5) Every new motor vehicle sold and operated on and after January 1, 1958, upon a
highway shall carry on the rear, whether as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red
reflectors; except that every motorcycle shall carry at least one reflector meeting the
requirements of this section, and vehicles of the type mentioned in section 207 shall be equipped
with reflectors as required in those sections applicable thereto.
(6) Every reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height of not less than twenty
inches nor more than sixty inches, measured as set forth in section 204 (3) and shall be of such
size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within three
hundred fifty feet to one hundred feet from such vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper
beams and head lamps; except that visibility from a greater distance is required by law of
reflectors on certain types of vehicles.
(7) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
207. Clearance and identification.
(1) Every vehicle designed or used for the transportation of property or for the
transportation of persons shall display lighted lamps at the times mentioned in section 204 when
and as required in this section.
(2) Clearance lamps.
(a) Every motor vehicle or motor-drawn vehicle having a width at any part in excess of
eighty inches shall be equipped with four clearance lamps located as follows:
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(I) Two on the front and one at each side, displaying an amber light visible from a
distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle;
(II) Two on the rear and one at each side, displaying a red light visible only to the rear
and visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle, which said rear
clearance lamps shall be in addition to the rear red lamp required in section 206.
(b) All clearance lamps required shall be placed on the extreme sides and located on the
highest stationary support; except that, when three or more identification lamps are mounted on
the rear of a vehicle on the vertical center line and at the extreme height of the vehicle, rear
clearance lamps may be mounted at optional height.
(c) Any trailer, when operated in conjunction with a vehicle which is properly equipped
with front clearance lamps as provided in this section, may be, but is not required to be,
equipped with front clearance lamps if the towing vehicle is of equal or greater width than the
towed vehicle.
(d) All clearance lamps required in this section shall be of a type approved by the
department of revenue.
(3) Side marker lamps.
(a) Every motor vehicle or motor-drawn vehicle or combination of such vehicles which
exceeds thirty feet in overall length shall be equipped with four side marker lamps located as
follows:
(I) One on each side near the front displaying an amber light visible from a distance of
five hundred feet to the side of the vehicle on which it is located;
(II) One on each side near the rear displaying a red light visible from a distance of five
hundred feet to the side of the vehicle on which it is located; but the rear marker light shall not be
so placed as to be visible from the front of the vehicle.
(b) Each side marker lamp required shall be located not less than fifteen inches above the
level on which the vehicle stands.
(c) If the clearance lamps required by this section are of such a design as to display lights
visible from a distance of five hundred feet at right angles to the sides of the vehicles, they shall
be deemed to meet the requirements as to marker lamps in this subsection (3).
(d) All marker lamps required in this section shall be of a type approved by the
department of revenue.
(4) Clearance reflectors.
(a) Every motor vehicle having a width at any part in excess of eighty inches shall be
equipped with clearance reflectors located as follows:
(I) Two red reflectors on the rear and one at each side, located not more than one inch
from the extreme outside edges of the vehicle;
(II) All such reflectors shall be located not more than sixty inches nor less than fifteen
inches above the level on which the vehicle stands.
(b) One or both of the required rear red reflectors may be incorporated within the tail
lamp or tail lamps if any such tail lamps meet the location limits specified for reflectors.
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(c) All such clearance reflectors shall be of a type approved by the department of
revenue.
(5) Side marker reflectors.
(a) Every motor vehicle or motor-drawn vehicle or combination of vehicles which
exceeds thirty feet in overall length shall be equipped with four side marker reflectors located as
follows:
(I) One amber reflector on each side near the front;
(II) One red reflector on each side near the rear.
(b) Each side marker reflector shall be located not more than sixty inches nor less than
fifteen inches above the level on which the vehicle stands.
(c) All such side marker reflectors shall be of a type approved by the department of
revenue.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede any federal motor vehicle
safety standard established pursuant to the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of
1966”, Public Law 89-563, as amended.
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208. Stop lamps and turn signals.
(1) Every motor vehicle or motor-drawn vehicle shall be equipped with a stop light in
good working order at all times and shall meet the requirements of section 215 (1).
2) No person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways any motor vehicle
registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958, unless it is
equipped with at least two stop lamps meeting the requirements of section 215 (1); except that a
motorcycle manufactured or assembled after said date shall be equipped with at least one stop
lamp meeting the requirements of section 215 (1).
(3) No person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways any motor vehicle,
trailer, or semitrailer registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1,
1958, and no person shall operate any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on the highways when
the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body,
cab, or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty-four inches, unless it is equipped with
electrical turn signals meeting the requirements of section 215 (2). This subsection (3) shall not
apply to any motorcycle or low-power scooter.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
209. Lamp or flag on projecting load.
Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed
or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the time
specified in section 204, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five
hundred feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required under this section shall be in
addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time, there shall be
displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than twelve inches
square and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the
rear. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
210. Lamps on parked vehicles.
(1) Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a highway during the hours between
sunset and sunrise and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a
distance of one thousand feet upon such highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked
vehicle.
(2) Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto,
whether attended or unattended, during the hours between sunset and sunrise and there is not
sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of one thousand feet upon such
highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with one or more operating lamps
meeting the following requirements: At least one lamp shall display a white or amber light
visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of the vehicle, and the same lamp or at
least one other lamp shall display a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the
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rear of the vehicle, and the location of said lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one
lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as
practicable to the side of the vehicle that is closer to passing traffic. This subsection (2) shall not
apply to a low-power scooter.
(3) Any lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
(5) This section shall not apply to low-speed electric vehicles.
211. Lamps on farm equipment and other vehicles and equipment.
(1) Every farm tractor and every self-propelled farm equipment unit or implement of
husbandry not equipped with an electric lighting system shall, at all times mentioned in section
204, be equipped with at least one lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not
less than five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle and shall also be equipped with at least
one lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the
rear of such vehicle.
(2) Every self-propelled unit of farm equipment not equipped with an electric lighting
system shall, at all times mentioned in section 204, in addition to the lamps required in
subsection (1) of this section, be equipped with two red reflectors visible from all distances
within six hundred feet to one hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper
beams of head lamps.
(3) Every combination of farm tractor and towed unit of farm equipment or implement of
husbandry not equipped with an electric lighting system shall, at all times mentioned in section
204, be equipped with the following lamps:
(a) At least one lamp mounted to indicate as nearly as practicable to the extreme left
projection of said combination and displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less
than five hundred feet to the front of said combination;
(b) Two lamps each displaying a red light visible when lighted from a distance of not less
than five hundred feet to the rear of said combination or, as an alternative, at least one lamp
displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the rear thereof
and two red reflectors visible from all distances within six hundred feet to one hundred feet to
the rear thereof when illuminated by the upper beams of head lamps.
(4) Every farm tractor and every self-propelled unit of farm equipment or implement of
husbandry equipped with an electric lighting system shall, at all times mentioned in section
204, be equipped with two single-beam head lamps meeting the requirements of section 216 or
218, respectively, and at least one red lamp visible from a distance of not less than five hundred
feet to the rear; but every such self-propelled unit of farm equipment other than a farm tractor
shall have two such red lamps or, as an alternative, one such red lamp and two red reflectors
visible from all distances within six hundred feet to one hundred feet when directly in front of
lawful upper beams of head lamps.
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(5) (a) Every combination of farm tractor and towed farm equipment or towed implement
of husbandry equipped with an electric lighting system shall, at all times mentioned in section
204, be equipped with lamps as follows:
(I) The farm tractor element of every such combination shall be equipped as required in
subsection (4) of this section.
(II) The towed unit of farm equipment or implement of husbandry element of such
combination shall be equipped with two red lamps visible from a distance of not less than five
hundred feet to the rear or, as an alternative, two red reflectors visible from all distances within
six hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps.
(b) Said combinations shall also be equipped with a lamp displaying a white or amber
light, or any shade of color between white and amber, visible from a distance of not less than five
hundred feet to the front and a lamp displaying a red light visible when lighted from a distance of
not less than five hundred feet to the rear.
(6) The lamps and reflectors required in this section shall be so positioned as to show
from front and rear as nearly as practicable the extreme projection of the vehicle carrying them
on the side of the roadway used in passing such vehicle. If a farm tractor or a unit of farm
equipment, whether self-propelled or towed, is equipped with two or more lamps or reflectors
visible from the front or two or more lamps or reflectors visible from the rear, such lamps or
reflectors shall be so positioned that the extreme projections, both to the right and to the left of
said vehicle, shall be indicated as nearly as practicable.
(7) Every vehicle, including animal-drawn vehicles and vehicles referred to in section
202 (2), not specifically required by the provisions of this Code to be equipped with lamps or
other lighting devices shall at all times specified in section 204 be equipped with at least one
lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the
front of said vehicle and shall also be equipped with two lamps displaying red lights visible from
a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the rear of said vehicle or, as an alternative, one
lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the rear
and two red reflectors visible for distances of one hundred feet to six hundred feet to the rear
when illuminated by the upper beams of head lamps.
(8) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
212. Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two spot lamps, and every
lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of
the high intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the
extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than one hundred feet ahead of the vehicle.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two fog lamps mounted on
the front at a height of not less than twelve inches nor more than thirty inches above the level
surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that, when the vehicle is not loaded, none of
28
the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall at a distance of
twenty-five feet ahead project higher than a level of four inches below the level of the center of
the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the requirements of this subsection (2)
may be used with lower head-lamp beams as specified in section 216 (1) (b).
(3) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary passing lamps
mounted on the front at a height of not less than twenty inches nor more than forty-two inches
above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 216 shall apply
to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary passing lamps.
(4) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two auxiliary driving lamps
mounted on the front at a height of not less than sixteen inches nor more than forty-two inches
above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of section 216 shall apply
to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
213. Audible and visual signals on emergency vehicles.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section or in section 42-4-222, C.R.S. in the case
of volunteer fire vehicles and volunteer ambulances, every authorized emergency vehicle shall,
in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this Code, be equipped
as a minimum with a siren and a horn. Such devices shall be capable of emitting a sound audible
under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet.
(2) Every authorized emergency vehicle, except those used as undercover vehicles by
governmental agencies, shall, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings
required by this Code, be equipped with at least one signal lamp mounted as high as practicable,
which shall be capable of displaying a flashing, oscillating, or rotating red light to the front and
to the rear having sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet in normal sunlight. In
addition to the required red light, flashing, oscillating, or rotating signal lights may be used
which emit blue, white, or blue in combination with white.
(3) A police vehicle, when used as an authorized emergency vehicle, may but need not be
equipped with the red lights specified in this section.
(4) Any authorized emergency vehicle, including those authorized by section 222, may be
equipped with green flashing lights, mounted at sufficient height and having sufficient intensity
to be visible at five hundred feet in all directions in normal daylight. Such lights may only be
used at the single designated command post at any emergency location or incident and only
when such command post is stationary. The single command post shall be designated by the on-
scene incident commander in accordance with local or state government emergency plans. Any
other use of a green light by a vehicle shall constitute a violation of this section.
(5) The use of either the audible or the visual signal equipment described in this section
shall impose upon drivers of other vehicles the obligation to yield right-of-way and stop as
prescribed in section 705.
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(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
214. Visual signals on service vehicles.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, on or after January 1, 1978, every
authorized service vehicle shall, in addition to any other equipment required by this Code, be
equipped with one or more warning lamps mounted as high as practicable, which shall be
capable of displaying in all directions one or more flashing, oscillating, or rotating yellow lights.
Only yellow and no other color or combination of colors shall be used as a warning lamp on an
authorized service vehicle; except that an authorized service vehicle snowplow operated by a
general purpose government may also be equipped with and use no more than two flashing,
oscillating, or rotating blue lights as warning lamps. Lighted directional signs used by police and
highway departments to direct traffic need not be visible except to the front and rear. Such lights
shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet in normal sunlight.
(2) The warning lamps authorized in subsection (1) of this section shall be activated by
the operator of an authorized service vehicle only when the vehicle is operating upon the
roadway so as to create a hazard to other traffic. The use of such lamps shall not relieve the
operator from the duty of using due care for the safety of others or from the obligation of using
any other safety equipment or protective devices that are required by this Code. Service vehicles
authorized to operate also as emergency vehicles shall also be equipped to comply with signal
requirements for emergency vehicles.
(3) Whenever an authorized service vehicle is performing its service function and is
displaying lights as authorized in subsection (1) of this section, drivers of all other vehicles shall
exercise more than ordinary care and caution in approaching, overtaking, or passing such service
vehicle and, in the case of highway and traffic maintenance equipment engaged in work upon the
highway, shall comply with the instructions of section 712.
(4) On or after January 1, 1978, only authorized service vehicles shall be equipped with
the warning lights authorized in subsection (1) of this section.
(5) The department of transportation shall determine by rule which types of vehicles
render an essential public service when operating on or along a roadway and warrant designation
as authorized service vehicles under specified conditions, including, without limitation, vehicles
that sell or apply chains or other equipment to motor vehicles necessary to enable compliance
with section 106.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
215. Signal lamps and devices – additional lighting equipment.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this Code shall be
equipped, with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which, except as provided in
section 204, shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber,
30
visible from a distance of not less than one hundred feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which
shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be
incorporated with one or more other rear lamps. Such stop lamp or lamps may also be
automatically actuated by a mechanical device when the vehicle is reducing speed or stopping. If
two or more stop lamps are installed on any motor vehicle, any device actuating such lamps shall
be so designed and installed that all stop lamps are actuated by such device.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this Code shall be
equipped, with lamps showing to the front and rear for the purpose of indicating an intention to
turn either to the right or to the left. Such lamps showing to the front shall be located on the same
level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and when in use shall display a white or amber
light, or any shade of color between white and amber, visible from a distance of not less than one
hundred feet to the front in normal sunlight, and the lamps showing to the rear shall be located at
the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, except as provided in section
204, when in use shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber,
visible from a distance of not less than one hundred feet to the rear in normal sunlight. When
actuated, such lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the light showing
to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made.
(3) No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
(4) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two side cowl or fender
lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(5) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one runningboard courtesy
lamp on each side thereof, which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(6) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two back-up lamps either
separately or in combination with other lamps, but no such back-up lamp shall be lighted when
the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(7) Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of
warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the
exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking, or passing and, when so equipped and when
the said vehicle is not in motion or is being operated at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or
less and at no other time, may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals
required by this Code. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at
the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously
flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used
to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced
laterally as practicable and, except as provided in section 204, shall show simultaneously
flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights
shall be visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet under normal atmospheric
conditions at night.
(8) Any vehicle eighty inches or more in overall width may be equipped with not more
than three identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber light without glare
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and not more than three identification lamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light
without glare. Such lamps shall be mounted horizontally.
(9) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
215.5. Signal lamps and devices – street rod vehicles and custom motor vehicles.
Repealed.
216. Multiple-beam road lights.
(1) Except as provided in this Code, the head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the
auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles or low-
power scooters, shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of
light projected to different elevations, and such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such
selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:
(a) There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of
such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least three hundred fifty feet
ahead for all conditions of loading.
(b) There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of
sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred feet ahead;
and on a straight level road under any condition of loading, none of the high-intensity portion of
the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
(1.5) Head lamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by
auxiliary driving lamps shall be permitted for low-speed electric vehicles in lieu of multiple
beam, road-lighting equipment specified in this section if the single distribution of light complies
with paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section.
(2) A new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or low-power scooter, that has multiple
beam road-lighting equipment, shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted
whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the head lamps is in use and shall not
otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be
readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
217. Use of multiple-beam lights.
(1) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent
thereto during the times specified in section 204, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or
composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles
at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
(a) Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred
feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays
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are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light or
composite beam specified in section 216 (1)(b) shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times,
regardless of road contour and loading.
(b) Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within two hundred feet to
the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, such driver shall use a
distribution of light permissible under this title other than the uppermost distribution of light
specified in section 216 (1) (a).
(c) A low-speed electric vehicle may use the distribution of light authorized in section
216 (1.5).
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
218. Single-beam road-lighting equipment.
(1) Head lamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by
auxiliary driving lamps shall be permitted on motor vehicles manufactured and sold prior to July
15, 1936, in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment specified in section 216 if the single
distribution of light complies with the following requirements and limitations:
(a) The head lamps shall be so aimed that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the
high-intensity portion of the light shall, at a distance of twenty-five feet ahead, project higher
than a level of five inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes and in
no case higher than forty-two inches above the level on which the vehicle stands at a distance of
seventy-five feet ahead.
(b) The intensity shall be sufficient to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least
two hundred feet.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
219. Number of lamps permitted.
Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as required in this Code is also
equipped with any auxiliary lamps or a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof
projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total
of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a
highway. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
220. Low-power scooters – lighting equipment - department control - use and operation.
(1) (a) A low-power scooter when in use at the times specified in section 204 shall be
equipped with a lamp on the front that shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least
five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear, of a type approved by the
department, that shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear
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when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting
a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the
red reflector.
(b) No person shall operate a low-power scooter unless it is equipped with a bell or other
device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet; except that a
low-power scooter shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a low-power scooter
a siren or whistle.
(c) A low-power scooter shall be equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to
make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (HB 09-1026), ch. 281, p. 1274, § 44, effective
October 1, 2009.)
(3) (a) Any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than head
lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, emergency vehicle warning lamps, and
school bus warning lamps, which projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three
hundred candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam
will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than
seventy-five feet from the vehicle.
(b) Repealed.
(c) This subsection (3) shall not be construed to prohibit the use on any vehicle of
simultaneously flashing hazard warning lights as provided by section 215 (7).
(4) No person shall have for sale, sell, or offer for sale, for use upon or as a part of the
equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer or for use upon any such vehicle, any head
lamp, auxiliary or fog lamp, rear lamp, signal lamp, or reflector, which reflector is required under
this Code, or parts of any of the foregoing which tend to change the original design or
performance thereof, unless of a type which has been approved by the department of revenue.
(5) No person shall have for sale, sell, or offer for sale, for use upon or as a part of the
equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, any lamp or device mentioned in this section
which has been approved by the department unless such lamp or device bears thereon the
trademark or name under which it is approved so as to be legible when installed.
(6) No person shall use upon any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer any lamps
mentioned in this section unless said lamps are mounted, adjusted, and aimed in accordance with
instructions of the department of revenue.
(7) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
221. Bicycle and personal mobility device equipment.
(1) No other provision of this part 2 and no provision of part 3 of this Code shall apply to
a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD or to equipment for use on a bicycle, electrical
assisted bicycle, or EPAMD except those provisions in this Code made specifically applicable to
such a vehicle.
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(2) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD in use at the times described in
section 204 shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a
distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.
(3) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD shall be equipped with a red
reflector of a type approved by the department, which shall be visible for six hundred feet to the
rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.
(4) Every bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD when in use at the times
described in section 204 shall be equipped with reflective material of sufficient size and
reflectivity to be visible from both sides for six hundred feet when directly in front of lawful
lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle or, in lieu of such reflective material, with a
lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least five hundred feet.
(5) A bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD or its rider may be equipped with
lights or reflectors in addition to those required by subsections (2) to (4) of this section.
(6) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any
person use upon a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle, any siren or whistle.
(7) Every bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes
that will enable its rider to stop the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle within twenty-five feet
from a speed of ten miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.
(8) A person engaged in the business of selling bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles at
retail shall not sell any bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle unless the bicycle or electrical
assisted bicycle has an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on its frame.
(9)(a) On or after January 1, 2018, every manufacturer or distributor of new electrical
assisted bicycles intended for sale or distribution in this state shall permanently affix to each
electrical assisted bicycle, in a prominent location, a label that contains the classification number,
top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electrical assisted bicycle. The label must be printed
in the Arial font in at least nine-point type.
(b) A person shall not knowingly modify an electrical assisted bicycle so as to change the
speed capability or motor engagement of the electrical assisted bicycle without also appropriately
replacing, or causing to be replaced, the label indicating the classification required by subsection
(9)(a) of this section.
(10) (a) An electrical assisted bicycle must comply with the equipment and
manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States consumer product safety
commission and codified at 16 CFR 1512 or its successor regulation.
(b) A class 2 electrical assisted bicycle must operate in a manner so that the electric
motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied. Class 1 and class 3
electrical assisted bicycles must be equipped with a mechanism or circuit that cannot be
bypassed and that causes the electric motor to disengage or cease to function when the rider stops
pedaling.
(c) A class 3 electrical assisted bicycle must be equipped with a speedometer that
displays, in miles per hours, the speed the electrical assisted bicycle is traveling.
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(11) A person who violated this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
222. Volunteer firefighters – volunteer ambulance attendants - special lights and alarm
systems.
(1) (a) All members of volunteer fire departments regularly attached to the fire
departments organized within incorporated towns, counties, cities, and fire protection districts
and all members of a volunteer ambulance service regularly attached to a volunteer ambulance
service within an area that the ambulance service would be reasonably expected to serve
may have their private automobiles equipped with a signal lamp or a combination of signal
lamps capable of displaying flashing, oscillating, or rotating red lights visible to the front and
rear at five hundred feet in normal sunlight. In addition to the red light, flashing, oscillating, or
rotating signal lights may be used that emit white or white in combination with red lights. At
least one of such signal lamps or combination of signal lamps shall be mounted on the top of the
automobile. Said automobiles may be equipped with audible signal systems such as sirens,
whistles, or bells. Said lights, together with any signal systems authorized by this subsection (1),
may be used only as authorized by subsection (3) of this section or when a member of a fire
department is responding to or attending a fire alarm or other emergency or when a member of
an ambulance service is responding to an emergency requiring the member’s services. Except as
authorized in subsection (3) of this section, neither such lights nor such signals shall be used for
any other purpose than those set forth in this subsection (1). If used for any other purpose, such
use shall constitute a violation of this subsection (1), and the violator commits a class B traffic
infraction.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), a member of a
volunteer fire department or a volunteer ambulance service may equip his or her private
automobile with the equipment described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) only after
receiving a permit for the equipment from the fire chief of the fire department or chief executive
officer of the ambulance service through which the volunteer serves.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 957, § 3, effective July 1, 1996.)
(3) A fire engine collector or member of a fire department may use the signal system
authorized by subsection (1) of this section in a funeral, parade, or for other special purposes if
the circumstances would not lead a reasonable person to believe that such vehicle is responding
to an actual emergency.
223. Brakes.
(1) Brake equipment required:
(a) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be
equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle,
including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to
apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are
36
connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating
mechanism shall not leave the motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels.
(b) Every motorcycle and low-power scooter, when operated upon a highway, shall be
equipped with at least one brake, which may be operated by hand or foot.
(c) Every trailer or semitrailer of a gross weight of three thousand pounds or more, when
operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of
and to stop and to hold such vehicle and so designed as to be applied by the driver of the towing
motor vehicle from the cab, and said brakes shall be so designed and connected that in case of an
accidental breakaway of the towed vehicle the brakes shall be automatically applied. The
provisions of this paragraph (c) shall not be applicable to any trailer which does not meet the
definition of “commercial vehicle” as that term is defined in section 235 (1) (a) and which is
owned by a farmer when transporting agricultural products produced on the owner’s farm or
supplies back to the farm of the owner of the trailer, tank trailers not exceeding ten thousand
pounds gross weight used solely for transporting liquid fertilizer or gaseous fertilizer under
pressure, or distributor trailers not exceeding ten thousand pounds gross weight used solely for
transporting and distributing dry fertilizer when hauled by a truck capable of stopping within the
distance specified in subsection (2) of this section.
(d) Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer constructed or sold in this state or operated
upon the highways shall be equipped with service brakes upon all wheels of every such vehicle;
except that:
(I) Any trailer or semitrailer of less than three thousand pounds gross weight, or any
horse trailer of a capacity of two horses or less, or any trailer which does not meet the definition
of “commercial vehicle” as that term is defined in section 235 (1) (a) and which is owned by a
farmer when transporting agricultural products produced on the owner’s farm or supplies back to
the farm of the owner of the trailer, or tank trailers not exceeding ten thousand pounds gross
weight used solely for transporting liquid fertilizer or gaseous fertilizer under pressure, or
distributor trailers not exceeding ten thousand pounds gross weight used solely for transporting
and distributing dry fertilizer when hauled by a truck capable of stopping with loaded trailer
attached in the distance specified by subsection (2) of this section need not be equipped with
brakes, and any two-wheel motor vehicle need have brakes on only one wheel.
(II) Any truck or truck tractor, manufactured before July 25, 1980, and having three or
more axles, need not have brakes on the wheels of the front or tandem steering axles if the brakes
on the other wheels meet the performance requirements of subsection (2) of this section.
(III) Every trailer or semitrailer of three thousand pounds or more gross weight must have
brakes on all wheels.
(e) Provisions of this subsection (1) shall not apply to manufactured homes.
(2) Performance ability of brakes:
(a) The service brakes upon any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be
adequate to stop such vehicle when traveling twenty miles per hour within a distance of forty feet
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when upon dry asphalt or concrete pavement surface free from loose material where the grade
does not exceed one percent.
(b) Under the conditions stated in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the hand brakes
shall be adequate to stop such vehicle within a distance of fifty-five feet, and said hand brake
shall be adequate to hold such vehicle stationary on any grade upon which operated.
(c) Under the conditions stated in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), the service brakes
upon a motor vehicle equipped with two-wheel brakes only, when permitted under this section,
shall be adequate to stop the vehicle within a distance of fifty-five feet.
(d) All braking distances specified in this section shall apply to all vehicles mentioned,
whether such vehicles are not loaded or are loaded to the maximum capacity permitted under this
title.
(e) All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to
operate as equally as possible with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle.
(2.5) The department of public safety is specifically authorized to adopt rules relating to
the use of surge brakes.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
224. Horns or warning devices.
(1) Every motor vehicle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a horn
in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a
distance of not less than two hundred feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an
unreasonably loud or harsh sound, except as provided in section 213(1) in the case of authorized
emergency vehicles or as provided in section 222. The driver of a motor vehicle, when
reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation, shall give audible warning with the horn but shall
not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
(2) No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any audible
device except as otherwise permitted in this section. It is permissible but not required that any
vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot be used
by the driver as a warning signal unless the alarm device is a required part of the vehicle.
Nothing in this section is meant to preclude the use of audible warning devices that are activated
when the vehicle is backing. Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with an
audible signal device under section 213 (1), but such device shall not be used except when such
vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the actual pursuit of a suspected
violator of the law or for other special purposes, including, but not limited to, funerals, parades,
and the escorting of dignitaries. Such device shall not be used for such special purposes unless
the circumstances would not lead a reasonable person to believe that such vehicle is responding
to an actual emergency.
(3) No bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or low-power scooter shall be equipped with
nor shall any person use upon such vehicle a siren or whistle.
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(4) Snowplows and other snow-removal equipment shall display flashing yellow lights
meeting the requirements of section 214 as a warning to drivers when such equipment is in
service on the highway.
(5) (a) When any snowplow or other snow removal equipment displaying flashing yellow
lights is engaged in snow and ice removal or control, drivers of all other vehicles shall exercise
more than ordinary care and caution in approaching, overtaking, or passing such snowplow.
(b) The driver of a snowplow, while engaged in the removal or control of snow and ice
on any highway open to traffic and while displaying the required flashing yellow warning lights
as provided by section 214, shall not be charged with any violation of the provisions of this Code
relating to parking or standing, turning, backing, or yielding the right-of-way. These exemptions
shall not relieve the driver of a snowplow from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of
all persons, nor shall these exemptions protect the driver of a snowplow from the consequences
of a reckless or careless disregard for the safety of others.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
225. Mufflers - prevention of noise.
(1) Every motor vehicle subject to registration and operated on a highway shall at all
times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to
prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no such muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped
with a cut-off, bypass, or similar device. No person shall modify the exhaust system of a motor
vehicle in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor of such
vehicle above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle, and such original
muffler shall comply with all of the requirements of this section.
(1.5) Any commercial vehicle, as defined in section 235 (1) (a), subject to registration
and operated on a highway, that is equipped with an engine compression brake device is required
to have a muffler.
(2) A muffler is a device consisting of a series of chamber or baffle plates or other
mechanical design for the purpose of receiving exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine
and effective in reducing noise.
(3) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction. Any person who violates subsection (1.5) of this section shall, upon conviction, be
punished by a fine of five hundred dollars. Fifty percent of any fine for a violation of subsection
(1.5) of this section occurring within the corporate limits of a city or town, or within the
unincorporated area of a county, shall be transmitted to the treasurer or chief financial officer of
said city, town, or county, and the remaining fifty percent shall be transmitted to the state
treasurer, credited to the highway users tax fund, and allocated and expended as specified in
§§43-4-205(5.5)(a), C.R.S.
(4) This section shall not apply to electric motor vehicles.
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226. Mirrors - exterior placements.
(1) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a mirror or mirrors so located and so
constructed as to reflect to the driver a free and unobstructed view of the highway for a distance
of at least two hundred feet to the rear of such vehicle.
(2) Whenever any motor vehicle is not equipped with a rear window and rear side
windows or has a rear window and rear side windows composed of, covered by, or treated with
any material or component that, when viewed from the position of the driver, obstructs the rear
view of the driver or makes such window or windows nontransparent, or whenever any motor
vehicle is towing another vehicle or trailer or carrying any load or cargo or object that obstructs
the rear view of the driver, such vehicle shall be equipped with an exterior mirror on each side so
located with respect to the position of the driver as to comply with the visual requirement of
subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
227. Windows unobstructed – certain materials prohibited - windshield wiper
requirements.
(1) (a) (I) Except as provided in this paragraph (a), no person shall operate any motor
vehicle registered in Colorado on which any window, except the windshield, is composed of,
covered by, or treated with any material or component which presents an opaque, nontransparent,
or metallic or mirrored appearance in such a way that it allows less than twenty-seven percent
light transmittance. The windshield shall allow seventy percent light transmittance.
(II) The provisions of this paragraph (a) shall not apply to the windows to the rear of the
driver, including the rear window, on any motor vehicle; however, if such windows allow less
than twenty-seven percent light transmittance, then the front side windows and the windshield on
such vehicles shall allow seventy percent light transmittance.
(III) A law enforcement vehicle may have its windows, except the windshield, treated in
such a manner so as to allow less than twenty-seven percent light transmittance only for the
purpose of providing a valid law enforcement service. A law enforcement vehicle with such
window treatment shall not be used for any traffic law enforcement operations, including
operations concerning any offense in this article. For purposes of this subparagraph (III), “law
enforcement vehicle” means a vehicle owned or leased by a state or local law enforcement
agency. The treatment of the windshield of a law enforcement vehicle is subject to the limits
described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1).
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), nontransparent
material may be applied, installed, or affixed to the topmost portion of the windshield subject to
the following:
(I) The bottom edge of the material extends no more than four inches measured from the
top of the windshield down;
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(II) The material is not red or amber in color, nor does it affect perception of primary
colors or otherwise distort vision or contain lettering that distorts or obstructs vision;
(III) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes of occupants of
oncoming or preceding vehicles to any greater extent than the windshield without the material.
(c) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to prevent the use of any window
which is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material or component in a manner
approved by federal statute or regulation if such window was included as a component part of a
vehicle at the time of the vehicle manufacture, or the replacement of any such window by such
covering which meets such guidelines.
(d) No material shall be used on any window in the motor vehicle that presents a metallic
or mirrored appearance.
(e) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to deny or prevent the use of
certificates or other papers which do not obstruct the view of the driver and which may be
required by law to be displayed.
(2) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning
rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be
controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.
(3) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), any person who violates
any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
(b) Any person who installs, covers, or treats a windshield or window so that the
windshield or window does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this
section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred
dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.
(4) This section shall apply to all motor vehicles; except that subsection (2) of this section
shall not apply to low-speed electric vehicles.
228. Restrictions on tire equipment.
(1) Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at
least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery.
(2) No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer, or
semitrailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway, and it is unlawful to operate upon
the highways of this state any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer equipped with solid rubber
tires.
(3) No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud,
flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which
projects beyond the tread on the traction surface of the tire; except that, on single-tired passenger
vehicles and on other single-tired vehicles with rated capacities up to and including three-fourths
ton, it shall be permissible to use tires containing studs or other protuberances which do not
project more than one-sixteenth of an inch beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire; and
except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which
41
will not injure the highway; and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of
reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other
conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.
(4) The department of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions,
in their discretion, may issue special permits authorizing the operation upon a highway of
traction engines or tractors having movable tracks with transverse corrugations upon the
periphery of such movable tracks or farm tractors or other farm machinery, the operation of
which upon a highway would otherwise be prohibited under this Code.
(5) (a) No person shall drive or move a motor vehicle on any highway unless such vehicle
is equipped with tires in safe operating condition in accordance with this subsection (5)
and any supplemental rules and regulations promulgated by the executive director of the
department.
(b) The executive director of the department shall promulgate such rules as the executive
director deems necessary setting forth requirements of safe operating conditions for tires. These
rules shall be utilized by law enforcement officers for visual inspection of tires and shall include
methods for simple gauge measurement of tire tread depth.
(c) A tire shall be considered unsafe if it has:
(I) Any bump, bulge, or knot affecting the tire structure;
(II) A break which exposes a tire body cord or is repaired with a boot or patch;
(III) A tread depth of less than two thirty-seconds of an inch measured in any two tread
grooves at three locations equally spaced around the circumference of the tire, or, on those tires
with tread wear indicators, a tire shall be considered unsafe if it is worn to the point that the tread
wear indicators contact the road in any two-tread grooves at three locations equally spaced
around the circumference of the tire; except that this subparagraph (III) shall not apply to tires on
a commercial vehicle as such term is defined in section 235 (1) (a); or
(IV) Such other conditions as may be reasonably demonstrated to render it unsafe.
(6) No passenger car tire shall be used on any motor vehicle which is driven or moved on
any highway if such tire was designed or manufactured for non-highway use.
(7) No person shall sell any motor vehicle for highway use unless the vehicle is equipped
with tires that are in compliance with subsections (5) and (6) of this section and any rules of safe
operating condition promulgated by the department.
(8) (a) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (1), (2), (3), (5), or (6) of this
section commits a class A traffic infraction.
(b) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (7) of this section commits a
class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
229. Safety glazing material in motor vehicles.
(1) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle, nor shall any new motor vehicle be
registered, unless such vehicle is equipped with safety glazing material of a type approved by the
department for any required front windshield and wherever glazing material is used in doors and
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windows of said motor vehicle. This section shall apply to all passenger-type motor vehicles,
including passenger buses and school buses, but, in respect to camper coaches and trucks,
including truck tractors, the requirements as to safety glazing material shall apply only to all
glazing material used in required front windshields and that used in doors and windows in the
drivers’ compartments and such other compartments as are lawfully occupied by passengers in
said vehicles.
(2) The term “safety glazing materials” means such glazing materials as will reduce
substantially, in comparison with ordinary sheet glass or plate glass, the likelihood of injury to
persons by objects from exterior sources or by these safety glazing materials when they may be
cracked or broken.
(3) The department shall compile and publish a list of types of glazing material by name
approved by it as meeting the requirements of this section, and the department shall not, after
January 1, 1958, register any motor vehicle which is subject to the provisions of this section
unless it is equipped with an approved type of safety glazing material, and the department shall
suspend the registration of any motor vehicle subject to this section which is found to be not so
equipped until it is made to conform to the requirements of this section.
(4) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on any highway within this state unless the
vehicle is equipped with a front windshield as provided in this section, except as provided in
section 232 (1) and except for motor vehicles registered as collectors’ items under sections 42-
12-301 or 42-12-302, C.R.S.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
230. Emergency lighting equipment - who must carry.
(1) No motor vehicle carrying a truck license and weighing six thousand pounds or more
and no passenger bus shall be operated over the highways of this state at any time without
carrying in an accessible place inside or on the outside of the vehicle three bidirectional
emergency reflective triangles of a type approved by the department, but the use of such
equipment is not required in municipalities where there are street lights within not more than one
hundred feet.
(2) Whenever a motor vehicle referred to in subsection (1) of this section is stopped upon
the traveled portion of a highway or the shoulder of a highway for any cause other than
necessary traffic stops, the driver of the stopped motor vehicle shall immediately activate the
vehicular hazard warning signal flashers and continue the flashing until the driver places the
bidirectional emergency reflective triangles as directed in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, whenever a motor vehicle
referred to in subsection (1) of this section is stopped upon the traveled portion of a highway or
the shoulder of a highway for any cause other than necessary traffic stops, the driver shall, as
soon as possible, but in any event within ten minutes, place the bidirectional emergency
reflective triangles in the following manner:
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(a) One at the traffic side of the stopped vehicle, within ten feet of the front or rear of the
vehicle;
(b) One at a distance of approximately one hundred feet from the stopped vehicle in the
center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by the vehicle and in the direction toward traffic
approaching in that lane; and
(c) One at a distance of approximately one hundred feet from the stopped vehicle in the
opposite direction from those placed in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection
(3) in the center of the traffic lane or shoulder occupied by the vehicle; or
(d) If the vehicle is stopped within five hundred feet of a curve, crest of a hill, or other
obstruction to view, the driver shall place the emergency equipment required by this subsection
(3) in the direction of the obstruction to view at a distance of one hundred feet to five hundred
feet from the stopped vehicle so as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway; or
(e) If the vehicle is stopped upon the traveled portion or the shoulder of a divided or one-
way highway, the driver shall place the emergency equipment required by this subsection (3),
one at a distance of two hundred feet and one at a distance of one hundred feet in a direction
toward approaching traffic in the center of the lane or shoulder occupied by the vehicle, and
one at the traffic side of the vehicle within ten feet of the rear of the vehicle.
(4) No motor vehicle operating as a tow truck, as defined in section 40-10.1-101(21),
C.R.S., at the scene of an accident shall move or attempt to move any wrecked vehicle without
first complying with those sections of the law concerning emergency lighting.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
231. Parking lights.
When lighted lamps are required by section 204, no vehicle shall be driven upon a
highway with the parking lights lighted except when the lights are being used as signal lamps
and except when the head lamps are lighted at the same time. Parking lights are those lights
permitted by section 215 and any other lights mounted on the front of the vehicle, designed to be
displayed primarily when the vehicle is parked. Any person who violates any provision of this
section commits a class B traffic infraction.
232. Minimum safety standards for motorcycles and low-power scooters.
(1) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), a person shall not drive
a motorcycle or low-power scooter on a public highway unless the person and any passenger
thereon is wearing goggles or eyeglasses with lenses made of safety glass or plastic; except that
this subsection (1) does not apply to a person wearing a helmet containing eye protection made
of safety glass or plastic.
(b) A person driving or riding a motorcycle need not wear eye protection if the
motorcycle has:
(I) Three wheels;
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(II) A maximum design speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less;
(III) A windshield; and
(IV) Seat belts.
(2) The department shall adopt standards and specifications for the design of goggles and
eyeglasses.
(3) Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be
equipped with footrests for such passengers.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
233. Alteration of suspension system.
(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under the
laws of this state upon a public highway with either the rear or front suspension system altered or
changed from the manufacturer’s original design except in accordance with specifications
permitting such alteration established by the department. Nothing contained in this section shall
prevent the installation of manufactured heavy duty equipment to include shock absorbers and
overload springs, nor shall anything contained in this section prevent a person from operating a
motor vehicle on a public highway with normal wear of the suspension system if normal wear
shall not affect the control of the vehicle.
(2) This section shall not apply to motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-
highway racing purposes, and such motor vehicles may be lawfully towed on the highways of
this state.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor
traffic offense.
234. Slow-moving vehicles - display of emblem.
(1) (a) All machinery, equipment, and vehicles, except bicycles, electrical assisted
bicycles, and other human-powered vehicles, designed to operate or normally operated at a speed
of less than twenty-five miles per hour on a public highway shall display a triangular slow-
moving vehicle emblem on the rear.
(b) The department shall set standards for a triangular slow-moving emblem for use on
low-speed electric vehicles.
(c) Bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles, and other human-powered vehicles shall be
permitted but not required to display the emblem specified in this subsection (1).
(2) The executive director of the department shall adopt standards and specifications for
such emblem, position of the mounting thereof, and requirements for certification of
conformance with the standards and specifications adopted by the American society of
agricultural engineers
concerning such emblems. The requirements of such emblem shall be in addition to any lighting
device required by law.
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(3) The use of the emblem required under this section shall be restricted to the use
specified in subsection (1) of this section, and its use on any other type of vehicle or stationary
object shall be prohibited.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
235. Minimum standards for commercial vehicles - repeal.
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Commercial vehicle" means:
(I) A self-propelled or towed vehicle;
(A) Bearing an apportioned plate;
(B) Having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination rating of at
least sixteen thousand one pounds and used in commerce on public highways; or
(C) Having a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination rating of at
least sixteen thousand one pounds and used to transport sixteen or more passengers, including
the driver, unless the vehicle is a school bus regulated in accordance with section 42-4-1904,
C.R.S., or a vehicle that does not have a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one
or more pounds and that is owned or operated by a school district so long as the school district
doest not receive remuneration, other than reimbursement of the school district’s costs, for the
use of the vehicle;
(II) Any motor vehicle designed or equipped to transport other motor vehicles from place
to place by means of winches, cables, pulleys, or other equipment for towing, pulling, or lifting,
when such motor vehicle is used in commerce on the public highways of this state; and
(III) A motor vehicle that is used on the public highways and transports materials
determined by the secretary of transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. sec. 5103 in such
quantities as to require placarding under 49 CFR parts 172 and 173.
(b) Repealed.
(c) "Motor carrier" means every person, lessee, receiver, or trustee appointed by any
court whatsoever owning, controlling, operating, or managing any commercial vehicle as defined
in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1).
(2) (a) No person shall operate a commercial vehicle, as defined in subsection (1) of this
section, on any public highway of this state unless such vehicle is in compliance with the rules
adopted by the chief of the Colorado state patrol pursuant to subsection (4) of this section. Any
person who violates such rules, including intrastate motor carriers, shall be subject to the civil
penalties authorized pursuant to 49 CFR part 386, subpart G, as such subpart existed on October
1, 2001. Persons who utilize an independent contractor shall not be liable for penalties imposed
on the independent contractor for equipment, acts, and omissions within the independent
contractor's control or supervision. All civil penalties collected pursuant to this article by a state
agency or by a court shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the
46
highway users tax fund created in section 43-4-201, C.R.S., for allocation and expenditure as
specified in section 43-4-205(5.5)(a), C.R.S.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection (2):
(I) Intrastate motor carriers shall not be subject to any provisions in 49 CFR, part 386,
subpart G that relate the amount of a penalty to a violator's ability to pay, and such penalties shall
be based upon the nature and gravity of the violation, the degree of culpability, and such other
matters as justice and public safety may require;
(II) When determining the assessment of a civil penalty for safety violations, the period
of a motor carrier's safety compliance history that a compliance review officer may consider
shall not exceed three years; and
(III) The intrastate operation of implements of husbandry shall not be subject to the civil
penalties provided in 49 CFR, part 386, subpart G. Nothing in this subsection (2) shall be
construed to repeal, preempt, or negate any existing regulatory exemption for agricultural
operations, intrastate farm vehicle drivers, intrastate vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a
gross vehicle weight rating of not more than twenty-six thousand pounds that do not require a
commercial driver's license to operate, or any successor or analogous agricultural exemptions,
whether based on federal or state law.
(IV) This section does not apply to a motor vehicle or motor vehicle and trailer
combination:
(A) With a gross vehicle weight, gross vehicle weight rating, or gross combination rating
of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds;
(B) Not operated in interstate commerce;
(C) Not transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding;
(D) Not transporting either sixteen or more passengers including the driver or eight or
more passengers for compensation; and
(E) If the motor vehicle or combination is being used solely for agricultural purposes.
(c) The Colorado state patrol shall have exclusive enforcement authority to conduct
safety compliance reviews, as defined in 49 CFR 385.3, as such section existed on October 1,
2001, and to impose civil penalties pursuant to such reviews. Nothing in this paragraph (c) shall
expand or limit the ability of local governments to conduct roadside safety inspections.
(d) (I) Upon notice from the Colorado state patrol, the department shall, pursuant to
section 42-3-120, C.R.S., cancel the registration of a motor carrier who fails to pay in full a civil
penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection (2) within thirty days after notification of the
penalty.
(II) Repealed.
(3) Any motor carrier operating a commercial vehicle within Colorado must declare
knowledge of the rules and regulations adopted by the chief of the Colorado state patrol pursuant
to subsection (4) of this section. The declaration of knowledge shall be in writing on a form
provided by the Colorado state patrol. Such form must be signed and returned by a motor carrier
according to rules adopted by the chief.
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(4) (a)(I) The chief of the Colorado state patrol shall adopt rules for the operation of all
commercial vehicles and, as specified in subsection (4)(a)(II) of this section, vehicles that would
be commercial vehicles but for the fact that they have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight
rating or gross combination rating of ten thousand one pounds or more but not more than sixteen
thousand pounds. In adopting such rules, the chief shall use as general guidelines the standards
contained in the current rules and regulations of the United States department of transportation
relating to safety regulations, qualifications of drivers, driving of motor vehicles, parts and
accessories, notification and reporting of accidents, hours of service of drivers, inspection, repair
and maintenance of motor vehicles, financial responsibility, insurance, and employee safety and
health standards; except that rules regarding financial responsibility and insurance do not apply
to a commercial vehicle as defined in subsection (1) of this section that is also subject to
regulation by the public utilities commission under article 10.1 of title 40, C.R.S. On and after
September 1, 2003, all commercial vehicle safety inspections conducted to determine
compliance with rules promulgated by the chief pursuant to this paragraph (a) must be performed
by an enforcement official, as defined in section 42-20-103(2), C.R.S., who has been certified by
the commercial vehicle safety alliance, or any successor organization thereto, to perform level I
inspections.
(II) With respect to the operation of all vehicles that would be commercial vehicles but
for the fact that they have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination
rating of ten thousand one pounds or more but not more than sixteen thousand pounds, the chief
of the Colorado state patrol may adopt rules that authorize the Colorado state patrol to:
(A) Annually inspect these vehicles;
(B) Enforce with respect to these vehicles all requirements for the securing of loads that
apply to commercial vehicles; and
(C) Enforce with respect to these vehicles all requirements relating to the use of coupling
devices for commercial vehicles.
(b) The Colorado public utilities commission may enforce safety rules of the chief of the
Colorado state patrol governing commercial vehicles described in subparagraphs (I) and (II) of
paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section pursuant to his or her authority to regulate motor
carriers, as defined in section 40-10.1-101, C.R.S., including the issuance of civil penalties for
violations of such rules as provided in section 40-7-113, C.R.S.
(5) Any person who violates a rule or regulation promulgated by the chief of the
Colorado state patrol pursuant to this section or fails to comply with subsection (3) of this section
commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
236. Child restraint systems required - definitions - exemptions.
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Child care center” means a facility required to be licensed under the “Child Care
Licensing Act”, article 6 of title 26, C.R.S.
(a.3) Deleted.
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(a.5) “Child restraint system” means a specially designed seating system that is designed
to protect, hold, or restrain a child in a motor vehicle in such a way as to prevent or minimize
injury to the child in the event of a motor vehicle accident that is either permanently affixed to a
motor vehicle or is affixed to such vehicle by a safety belt or a universal attachment system, and
that meets the federal motor vehicle safety standards set forth in section 49 CFR 571.213, as
amended.
(a.7) Deleted.
(a.8) "Motor vehicle" means a passenger car; a pickup truck; or a van, minivan, or sport
utility vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand pounds. "Motor
vehicle" does not include motorcycles that are not autocycles, low-power scooters,
motorscooters, motorbicycles, motorized bicycles, and farm tractors and implements of
husbandry designed primarily or exclusively for use in agricultural operations.
(b) “Safety belt” means a lap belt, a shoulder belt, or any other belt or combination of
belts installed in a motor vehicle to restrain drivers and passengers, except any such belt that is
physically a part of a child restraint system. “Safety belt” includes the anchorages, the buckles,
and all other equipment directly related to the operation of safety belts. Proper use of a safety
belt means the shoulder belt, if present, crosses the shoulder and chest and the lap belt crosses
the hips, touching the thighs.
(c) “Seating position” means any motor vehicle interior space intended by the motor
vehicle manufacturer to provide seating accommodation while the motor vehicle is in motion.
(2) (a) (I) Unless exempted pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, and except as
otherwise provided in subparagraphs (II) and (III) of this paragraph (a), every child who is under
eight years of age and who is being transported in this state in a motor vehicle or in a vehicle
operated by a child care center, shall be properly restrained in a child restraint system according
to the manufacturer’s instructions:
(II) If the child is less than one year of age and weighs less than twenty pounds, the child
shall be properly restrained in a rear-facing child restraint system in a rear seat of the vehicle.
(III) If the child is one year of age or older, but less than four years of age, and weighs
less than forty pounds, but at least twenty pounds, the child shall be properly restrained in a rear-
facing or forward- facing child restraint system.
(b) Unless excepted pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, every child, who is at least
eight years of age but less than sixteen years of age who is being transported in this state in a
motor vehicle or in a vehicle operated by a child care center, shall be properly restrained in a
safety belt or child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions.
(c) If a parent is in the motor vehicle, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that
his or her child or children are provided with and that they properly use a child restraint system
or safety belt system. If a parent is not in the motor vehicle, it is the responsibility of the driver
transporting a child or children, subject to the requirements of this section, to ensure that such
children are provided with and that they properly use a child restraint system or safety belt
system.
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(3) Except as provided in section 42-2-105.5(4), C.R.S., the requirements of subsection
(2) of this section shall not apply to a child who:
(a) Repealed.
(b) Is less than eight years of age and is being transported in a motor vehicle as a result of
a medical or other life-threatening emergency and a child restraint system is not available;
(c) Is being transported in a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 42-2-
402(4)(a), C.R.S., that is operated by a child care center; or
(d) Is the driver of a motor vehicle and is subject to the safety belt requirements provided
in section 237;
(e) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2011, (SB 11-227), ch. 295, p. 1399, § 1, effective June 7,
2011.)
(f) Is being transported in a motor vehicle that is operated in the business of transporting
persons for compensation or hire by or on behalf of a common carrier or a contract carrier as
those terms are defined in section 40-10.1-101, C.R.S., or an operator of a luxury limousine
service as defined in section 40-10.1-301, C.R.S.
(4) No Rule.
(5) No person shall use a safety belt or child restraint system, whichever is applicable
under the provisions of this section, for children under sixteen years of age in a motor vehicle
unless it conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(6) Any violation of this section shall not constitute negligence per se or contributory
negligence per se.
(7) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7), any person
who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
(b) A minor driver under eighteen years of age who violates this section shall be punished
in accordance with section 42-2-105.5(5)(b), C.R.S.
(8) The fine may be waived if the defendant presents the court with satisfactory evidence
or proof of the acquisition, purchase, or rental of a child restraint system by the time of the court
appearance.
(9) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2010, (SB 10-110), ch 294, p. 1365, § 3, effective August
1, 2020.
(10) and (11) Repealed.
237. Safety belt systems – mandatory use - exemptions - penalty.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Motor vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle intended primarily for use and
operation on the public highways, including passenger cars, station wagons, vans, taxicabs,
ambulances, motor homes, and pickups. The term does not include motorcycles, low-power
scooters, passenger buses, school buses, and farm tractors and implements of husbandry
designed primarily or exclusively for use in agricultural operations.
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(b) “Safety belt system” means a system utilizing a lap belt, a shoulder belt, or any other
belt or combination of belts installed in a motor vehicle or an autocycle to restrain drivers and
passengers, which system conforms to federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(2) Unless exempted pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, every driver of and every
front seat passenger in a motor vehicle and every driver of and every passenger in an autocycle
equipped with a safety belt system shall wear a fastened safety belt while the motor vehicle is
being operated on a street or highway in this state.
(3) Except as provided in section 42-2-105.5, C.R.S., the requirement of subsection (2) of
this section shall not apply to:
(a) A child required by section 236 to be restrained by a child restraint system;
(b) A member of an ambulance team, other than the driver, while involved in patient
care;
(c) A peace officer as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S., while performing official
duties so long as the performance of said duties is in accordance with rules and regulations
applicable to said officer which are at least as restrictive as subsection (2) of this section and
which only provide exceptions necessary to protect the officer;
(d) A person with a physically or psychologically disabling condition whose physical or
psychological disability prevents appropriate restraint by a safety belt system if such person
possesses a written statement by a physician certifying the condition, as well as stating the reason
why such restraint is inappropriate;
(e) A person driving or riding in a motor vehicle not equipped with a safety belt system
due to the fact that federal law does not require such vehicle to be equipped with a safety belt
system;
(f) A rural letter carrier of the United States postal service while performing duties as a
rural letter carrier; and
(g) A person operating a motor vehicle which does not meet the definition of
“commercial vehicle” as that term is defined in section 235 (1) (a) for commercial or residential
delivery or pickup service; except that such person shall be required to wear a fastened safety
belt during the time period prior to the first delivery or pickup of the day and during the time
period following the last delivery or pickup of the day.
(4) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (4), any person
who operates a motor vehicle while such person or any passenger is in violation of the
requirement of subsection (2) of this section commits a class B traffic infraction. Penalties
collected pursuant to this subsection (4) shall be transmitted to the appropriate authority pursuant
to the provisions of section 42-1-217(1)(e) and (2), C.R.S.
(b) A minor driver under eighteen years of age who violates this section shall be punished
in accordance with section 42-2-105.5(5)(b), C.R.S.
(5) No driver in a motor vehicle shall be cited for a violation of subsection (2) of this
section unless such driver was stopped by a law enforcement officer for an alleged violation of
Codes 1 to 4 of this title other than a violation of this section.
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(6) Testimony at a trial for a violation charged pursuant to subsection (4) of this section
may include:
(a) Testimony by a law enforcement officer that the officer observed the person charged
operating a motor vehicle while said operator or any passenger was in violation of the
requirement of subsection (2) of this section; or
(b) Evidence that the driver removed the safety belts or knowingly drove a vehicle from
which the safety belts had been removed.
(7) Evidence of failure to comply with the requirement of subsection (2) of this section
shall be admissible to mitigate damages with respect to any person who was involved in a motor
vehicle accident and who seeks in any subsequent litigation to recover damages for injuries
resulting from the accident. Such mitigation shall be limited to awards for pain and suffering and
shall not be used for limiting recovery of economic loss and medical payments.
238. Blue and red lights - illegal use or possession.
(1) A person shall not be in actual physical control of a vehicle, except an authorized
emergency vehicle as defined in section 42-1-102(6), C.R.S., that the person knows contains a
lamp or device that is designed to display, or that is capable of displaying if affixed or attached
to the vehicle, a red or blue light visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle.
(2) It shall be an affirmative defense that the defendant was:
(a) A peace officer as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S.; or
(b) In actual physical control of a vehicle expressly authorized by a chief of police or
sheriff to contain a lamp or device that is designed to display, or that is capable of displaying if
affixed or attached to the vehicle, a red or blue light visible from directly in front of the center of
the vehicle; or
(c) A member of a volunteer fire department or a volunteer ambulance service who
possesses a permit from the fire chief of the fire department or chief executive officer of the
ambulance service through which the volunteer serves to operate a vehicle pursuant to section
222 (1) (b); or
(d) A vendor who exhibits, sells, or offers for sale a lamp or device designed to display,
or that is capable of displaying, if affixed or attached to the vehicle, a red or blue light; or
(e) A collector of fire engines, fire suppression vehicles, or ambulances and the vehicle to
which the red or blue lamps were affixed is valued for the vehicle’s historical interest or as a
collector’s item.
(3) A violation of this section is a class 1 misdemeanor.
239. Misuse of a wireless telephone – definitions - penalty - preemption.
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Emergency” means a situation in which a person:
52
(I) Has reason to fear for such person’s life or safety or believes that a criminal act may
be perpetrated against such person or another person, requiring the use of a wireless telephone
while the car is moving; or
(II) Reports a fire, a traffic accident in which one or more injuries are apparent, a serious
road hazard, a medical or hazardous materials emergency, or a person who is driving in a
reckless, careless, or otherwise unsafe manner.
(b) “Operating a motor vehicle” means driving a motor vehicle on a public highway, but
“operating a motor vehicle” shall not mean maintaining the instruments of control while the
motor vehicle is at rest in a shoulder lane or lawfully parked.
(c) “Use” means talking on or listening to a wireless telephone or engaging the wireless
telephone for text messaging or other similar forms of manual data entry or transmission.
(d) “Wireless telephone” means a telephone that operates without a physical, wireline
connection to the provider’s equipment. The term includes, without limitation, cellular and
mobile telephones.
(2) A person under eighteen years of age shall not use a wireless telephone while
operating a motor vehicle. This subsection (2) does not apply to acts specified in subsection (3)
of this section.
(3) A person shall not use a wireless telephone for the purpose of engaging in text
messaging or other similar forms of manual data entry or transmission while operating a motor
vehicle.
(4) Subsection (2) or (3) of this section shall not apply to a person who is using the
wireless telephone:
(a) To contact a public safety entity; or
(b) During an emergency.
(5) (a) A person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (2) of this
section commits a class A traffic infraction as defined in section 42-4-1701(3), C.R.S. and the
court or the department of revenue shall assess a fine of fifty dollars.
(b) A second or subsequent violation of subsection (2) of this section is a class A traffic
infraction as defined in section 1701(3), and the court or the department of revenue shall assess a
fine of one hundred dollars.
(5.5) (a) Except as provided in subsections (5.5)(b) and (5.5)(c) of this section, a person
who operates a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (3) of this section commits a class 2
misdemeanor traffic offense, and the court or the department shall assess a fine of three hundred
dollars.
(b) If the person’s actions are the proximate cause of bodily injury to another, the person
commits a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense and shall be punished as provided in section 42-4-
1701(3)(a)(II), C.R.S..
(c) If the person’s actions are the proximate cause of death to another, the person
commits a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense and shall be punished as provided in section 42-4-
1701(3)(a)(II), C.R.S.
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(6) (a) An operator of a motor vehicle shall not be cited for a violation of subsection (2)
of this section unless the operator was under eighteen years of age and a law enforcement officer
saw the operator use, as defined in paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, a wireless
telephone.
(b) An operator of a motor vehicle shall not be cited for a violation of subsection (3) of
this section unless a law enforcement officer saw the operator use a wireless telephone for the
purpose of engaging in text messaging or other similar forms of manual data entry or
transmission, in a manner that caused the operator to drive in a careless and imprudent manner,
without due regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and use of the streets and
highways and all other attendant circumstances, as prohibited by 42-4-1402, C.R.S..
(7) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to authorize the seizure and
forfeiture of a wireless telephone, unless otherwise provided by law.
(8) This section does not restrict operation of an amateur radio station by a person who
holds a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the federal communications commission.
(9) The general assembly finds and declares that use of wireless telephones in motor
vehicles is a matter of statewide concern.
240. Low-speed electric vehicle equipment requirements.
A low-speed electric vehicle shall conform with applicable federal manufacturing
equipment standards. Any person who operates a low-speed electric vehicle in violation of this
section commits a class B traffic infraction.
241. Unlawful removal of tow-truck signage - unlawful usage of tow-truck signage.
(1)(a) A person, other than a towing carrier or peace officer as described in section 16-
2.5-101, C.R.S., commits the crime of unlawful removal of tow-truck signage if:
(I) A towing carrier has placed a tow-truck warning sign on the driver-side window of a
vehicle to be towed or, if window placement is impracticable, in another location on the driver-
side of the vehicle; and
(II) The vehicle to be towed is within fifty feet of the towing carrier vehicle; and
(III) The person removes the tow-truck warning sign from the vehicle before the tow is
completed.
(b) A person commits the crime of unlawful usage of tow-truck signage if the person
places a tow-truck warning sign on a vehicle when the vehicle is not in the process of being
towed or when the vehicle is occupied.
(c) A towing carrier may permit an owner of the vehicle to be towed to retrieve any
personal items from the vehicle before the vehicle is towed.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits a class 3 misdemeanor.
(3) For purposes of this section, "tow-truck warning sign" means a sign that is at least
eight inches by eight inches, is either yellow or orange, and states the following:
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WARNING: This vehicle is in tow. Attempting to operate or
operating this vehicle may result in criminal prosecution and may
lead to injury or death to you or another person.
242. Automated driving systems – safe harbor.
(1) A person may use an automated driving system to drive a motor vehicle or to control
a function of a motor vehicle if the system is capable of complying with every state and federal
law that applies to the function that the system is operating.
(2) Any provision in articles 1 to 3 of title 42 and article 4 that by its nature regulates a
human driver, including section 42-2-101, C.R.S., does not apply to an automated driving
system, except for laws regulating the physical driving of a vehicle.
(3) (a) If an automated driving system is not capable of complying with every state and
federal law that applies to the function the system is operating, a person shall not test the system
unless approved by the Colorado state patrol and the Colorado department of transportation, in
accordance with a process overseen by the Colorado state patrol and the Colorado department of
transportation.
(b) A person who violates this subsection (3) commits a class B traffic infraction. Upon
determining that there is probable cause to believe that a motor vehicle was used to violate this
subsection (3), a peace officer of the state patrol may impound or immobilize the motor vehicle
until the person who violated this section has obtained the required approval in accordance with
subsection (3)(a) of this section or signed an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, stating the
person’s intention to cease using the automated driving system in Colorado without the required
approval.
(4) The Colorado department of transportation shall report to the transportation
legislation review committee by September 1 of each year, concerning the testing of automated
driving systems in Colorado. The first report is due by September 1, 2018. Notwithstanding the
provisions of section 24-1-136, the reporting requirements contained in this subsection (4)
continued indefinitely.
(5) Liability for a crash involving an automated driving system driving a motor vehicle
that is not under human control is determined in accordance with applicable state law, federal
law, or common law.
PART 3
EMISSIONS INSPECTION
PART 4
DIESEL INSPECTION PROGRAM
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PART 5
SIZE - WEIGHT - LOAD
501. Size and weight violations - penalty.
Except as provided in section 509, it is a traffic infraction for any person to drive or move
or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle
or vehicles of a size or weight exceeding the limitations stated in sections 502 to 512 or
otherwise in violation of said sections or section 1407, except as permitted in section 510. The
maximum size and weight of vehicles specified in said sections shall be lawful throughout this
state, and local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter said limitations, except as
express authority may be granted in section 42-4-106, C.R.S.
502. Width of vehicles.
(1) The total outside width of any vehicle or the load thereon shall not exceed eight feet
six inches, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(2) (a) A load of loose hay, including loosely bound, round bales, whether horse drawn or
by motor, shall not exceed twelve feet in width.
(b) A vehicle and trailer may transport a load of rectangular hay bales if such vehicle and
load do not exceed ten feet six inches in width.
(3) It is unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle or a motor vehicle which has
attached thereto in any manner any chain, rope, wire, or other equipment which drags, swings, or
projects in any manner so as to endanger the person or property of another.
(4) The total outside width of buses and coaches used for the transportation of passengers
shall not exceed eight feet six inches.
(5) (a) The total outside width of vehicles as included in this section shall not be
construed so as to prohibit the projection beyond such width of clearance lights, rearview
mirrors, or other accessories required by federal, state, or city laws or regulations.
(b) The width requirements imposed by subsection (1) of this section shall not include
appurtenances on recreational vehicles, including but not limited to motor homes, travel trailers,
fifth wheel trailers, camping trailers, recreational park trailers, multipurpose trailers, and truck
campers, all as defined in section 24-32-902, C.R.S., so long as such recreational vehicle,
including such appurtenances, does not exceed a total outside width of nine feet six inches.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
503. Projecting loads on passenger vehicles.
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No passenger-type vehicle, except a motorcycle, a bicycle, or an electrical assisted
bicycle shall be operated on any highway with any load carried thereon extending beyond the
line of the fenders on the left side of such vehicle nor extending more than six inches beyond the
line of the fenders on the right side thereof. Any person who violates this section commits a class
B traffic infraction.
504. Height and length of vehicles.
(1) No vehicle unladen or with load shall exceed a height of fourteen feet six inches. The
department of transportation shall designate highways with overhead highway structures that
have less than fourteen feet six inches of vertical clearance. A driver shall not drive a vehicle
under a structure if the vehicle’s height exceeds the department’s designated vertical clearance
for the structure.
(2) No single motor vehicle shall exceed a length of forty-five feet extreme overall
dimension, inclusive of front and rear bumpers. The length of vehicles used for the mass
transportation of passengers wholly within the limits of a town, city, or municipality or within a
radius of fifteen miles thereof may extend to sixty feet. The length of school buses may extend to
forty feet.
(3) Buses used for the transportation of passengers between towns, cities, and
municipalities in the state of Colorado may be sixty feet extreme overall length, inclusive of
front and rear bumpers but shall not exceed a height of thirteen feet six inches, if such buses are
equipped to conform with the load and weight limitations set forth in section 508; except that
buses with a height of fourteen feet six inches which otherwise conform to the requirements of
this subsection (3) shall be operated only on highways designated by the department of
transportation.
(4) No combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more than four units,
and no such combination of vehicles shall exceed a total overall length of seventy feet. Said
length limitation shall not apply to unladen truck tractor-semitrailer combinations when the
semitrailer is fifty-seven feet four inches or less in length or to unladen truck tractor-semitrailer-
trailer combinations when the semitrailer and the trailer are each twenty-eight feet six inches or
less in length. Said length limitations shall also not apply to vehicles operated by a public utility
when required for emergency repair of public service facilities or properties or when operated
under special permit as provided in section 42-4-510, C.R.S., but, in respect to night
transportation, every such vehicle and the load thereon shall be equipped with a sufficient
number of clearance lamps on both sides and marker lamps upon the extreme ends of any
projecting load to clearly mark the dimensions of such load.
(4.5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, drivers shall not
drive the following combinations of vehicles:
(a) Saddlemount combinations consisting of more than four units or saddlemount
combinations exceeding ninety-seven feet in overall length;
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(b) Laden truck tractor-semitrailer combinations exceeding seventy-five feet in overall
length; and
(c) Stinger-steered vehicle combinations for transporting automobiles or boats and whose
total overall length exceeds eighty feet; except that the overall length of these combinations
excludes:
(I) Safety devices that are not designed or used for carrying cargo;
(II) Automobiles or boats being transported;
(III) Any extension device that may be used for loading beyond the extreme front or rear
ends of a vehicle or combination of vehicles; except that the projection of a load, including any
extension devices loaded to the front of the vehicle, shall not extend more than four feet beyond
the extreme front of the grill of such vehicle and no load or extension device may extend more
than six feet to the extreme rear of the vehicle.
(d) Towaway trailer transporter combinations that:
(I) Exceed eighty-two feet in overall length;
(II) Carry property;
(III) Exceed an overall weight of twenty-six thousand pounds;
(IV) Consist of more than a single towing unit and two trailers or semitrailers; or
(V) Do not constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of the
trailer or semitrailer.
(5) The load upon any vehicle operated alone or the load upon the front vehicle of a
combination of vehicles shall not extend beyond the front wheels of such vehicles or vehicle or
the front most point of the grill of such vehicle; but a load may project not more than four feet
beyond the front most point of the grill assembly of the vehicle engine compartment of such a
vehicle at a point above the cab of the driver’s compartment so long as that part of any load
projecting ahead of the rear of the cab or driver’s compartment shall be so loaded as not to
obscure the vision of the driver to the front or to either side.
(6) The length limitations of vehicles and combinations of vehicles provided for in this
section as they apply to vehicles being operated and utilized for the transportation of steel,
fabricated beams, trusses, utility poles, and pipes shall be determined without regard to the
projection of said commodities beyond the extreme front or rear of the vehicle or combination of
vehicles; except that the projection of a load to the front shall be governed by the provisions of
subsection (5) of this section, and no load shall project to the rear more than ten feet.
(7) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
505. Longer vehicle combinations.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, the department of
transportation, in the exercise of its discretion, may issue permits for the use of longer vehicle
combinations. An annual permit for such use may be issued to each qualified carrier company.
The carrier company shall maintain a copy of such annual permit in each vehicle operating as a
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longer vehicle combination; except that, if a peace officer, as described in section 16-2.5-101,
C.R.S., or an authorized agent of the department of transportation may determine that the permit
can be electronically verified at the time of contact, a copy of the permit need not be in each
vehicle. The fee for the permit shall be two hundred fifty dollars per year.
(2) The permits shall allow operation, over designated highways, of the following vehicle
combinations of not more than three cargo units and neither fewer than six axles nor more than
nine axles:
(a) An unladen truck tractor, a semitrailer, and two trailers. A semitrailer used with a
converter dolly shall be considered a trailer. Semitrailers and trailers shall be of approximately
equal lengths not to exceed twenty-eight feet six inches in length.
(b) An unladen truck tractor, a semitrailer, and a single trailer. A semitrailer used with a
converter dolly shall be considered a trailer. Semitrailers and trailers shall be of approximately
equal lengths not to exceed forty-eight feet in length. Notwithstanding any other restriction set
forth in this section, such combination may have up to eleven axles when used to transport empty
trailers.
(c) An unladen truck tractor, a semitrailer, and a single trailer, one trailer of which is not
more than forty-eight feet long, the other trailer of which is not more than twenty-eight feet six
inches long. A semitrailer used with a converter dolly shall be considered a trailer. The shorter
trailer shall be operated as the rear trailer.
(d) A truck and single trailer, having an overall length of not more than eighty-five feet,
the truck of which is not more than thirty-five feet long and the trailer of which is not more than
forty feet long. For the purposes of this paragraph (d), a semitrailer used with a converter dolly
shall be considered a trailer.
(3) The long combinations are limited to interstate highway 25, interstate highway 76,
interstate highway 70 west of its intersection with state highway 13 in Garfield county, interstate
highway 70 east of its intersection with U.S. 40 and state highway 26, the circumferential
highways designated I-225 and I-270, and state highway 133 in Delta county from mile marker
8.9 to mile marker 9.7.
(4) The department of transportation shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the
issuance of the permits, including, but not limited to, selection of carriers, driver qualifications,
equipment selection, hours of operation, and safety considerations; except that they shall not
include hazardous materials subject to regulation by the provisions of Code 20 of this title.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
506. Trailers and towed vehicles.
(1) When one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection shall be of
sufficient strength to pull all weight towed thereby, and said drawbar or other connection shall
not exceed fifteen feet from one vehicle to the other, except the connection between any two
vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of a structural nature which cannot
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readily be dismembered and except connections between vehicles in which the combined lengths
of the vehicles and the connection does not exceed an overall length of fifty-five feet and the
connection is of rigid construction included as part of the structural design of the towed vehicle.
(2) When one vehicle is towing another and the connection consists of a chain, rope, or
cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than twelve
inches square.
(3) Whenever one vehicle is towing another, in addition to the drawbar or other
connection, except a fifth wheel connection meeting the requirements of the department of
transportation, safety chains or cables arranged in such a way that it will be impossible for the
vehicle being towed to break loose from the vehicle towing in the event the drawbar or other
connection were to be broken, loosened, or otherwise damaged shall be used. This subsection (3)
shall apply to all motor vehicles, to all trailers, except semitrailers connected by a proper fifth
wheel, and to any dolly used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
507. Wheel and axle loads.
(1) The gross weight upon any wheel of a vehicle shall not exceed the following:
(a) When the wheel is equipped with a solid rubber or cushion tire, eight thousand
pounds;
(b) When the wheel is equipped with a pneumatic tire, nine thousand pounds.
(2) The gross weight upon any single axle or tandem axle of a vehicle shall not exceed
the following:
(a) When the wheels attached to said axle are equipped with solid rubber or cushion tires,
sixteen thousand pounds;
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (b.5) of this subsection (2), when the wheels attached
to a single axle are equipped with pneumatic tires, twenty thousand pounds;
(b.5) When the wheels attached to a single axle are equipped with pneumatic tires and the
vehicle or vehicle combination is a digger derrick or bucket boom truck operated by an electric
utility on a highway that is not on the interstate system as defined in section 43-2-101 (2),
C.R.S., twenty-one thousand pounds;
(c) When the wheels attached to a tandem axle are equipped with pneumatic tires, thirty-
six thousand pounds for highways on the interstate system and forty thousand pounds for
highways not on the interstate system.
(3) (a) Vehicles equipped with a self-compactor and used solely for the transporting of
trash are exempted from the provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section.
(b) (omitted)
(c) A vehicle contracted by or owned and operated by a local authority or special district
is exempt from paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of this section of the vehicle:
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(I) Is equipped with a vacuum or jet equipment to load or unload solid, semisolid, or
liquid waste for water or wastewater treatment or transportation systems or for the removal of
storm water; and
(II) Is not operated on the interstate system as defined by section 43-2-101, C.R.S.
(4) For the purposes of this section:
(a) A single axle is defined as all wheels, whose centers may be included within two
parallel transverse vertical planes not more than forty inches apart, extending across the full
width of the vehicle.
(b) A tandem axle is defined as two or more consecutive axles, the centers of which may
be included between parallel vertical planes spaced more than forty inches and not more than
ninety-six inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle.
(5) The gross weight upon any one wheel of a steel-tired vehicle shall not exceed five
hundred pounds per inch of cross-sectional width of tire.
(6) Any person who drives a vehicle or owns a vehicle in violation of any provision of
this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
508. Gross weight of vehicles and loads.
(1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1.5) of this section, a person shall not move or
operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any highway or bridge when the gross weight
upon any one axle of a vehicle exceeds the limits prescribed in section 507.
(b) Subject to the limitations prescribed in section 507, the maximum gross weight of any
vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed that determined by the formula W = 1,000 (L
+ 40), where W represents the gross weight in pounds and L represents the length in feet between
the centers of the first and last axles of such vehicle or combination of vehicles; except that, in
computation of this formula, the gross vehicle weight must not exceed eighty-five thousand
pounds. For the purposes of this section, where a combination of vehicles is used, a vehicle must
not carry a gross weight of less than ten percent of the overall gross weight of the combination of
vehicles; except that these limitations shall not apply to specialized trailers of fixed public
utilities whose axles may carry less than ten percent of the weight of the combination. The
limitations provided in this section must be strictly construed and enforced.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, except as may be authorized under
section 510, a person shall not move or operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any
highway or bridge that is part of the national system of interstate and defense highways, also
known as the interstate system, when the gross weight of such vehicle or combination of vehicles
exceeds the amount determined by the formula W = 500 [(LN/N-1) + 12N + 36], up to a
maximum of eighty thousand pounds, where W represents the overall gross weight on any group
of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, L represents the distance in feet
between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and N represents the
number of axles in the group.
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(d) For the purposes of this subsection (1), where a combination of vehicles is used, a
vehicle must not carry a gross weight of less than ten percent of the overall gross weight of the
combination of vehicles; except that this limitation does not apply to specialized trailers whose
specific use is to haul poles and whose axles may carry less than ten percent of the weight of the
combination.
(1.5) The gross weight limits provided in subsection (1) of this section increase, but by no
more than two thousand pounds for any vehicle or combination of vehicles if the vehicle or
combination of vehicles contains an alternative fuel system and operates on alternative fuel or
both alternative and conventional fuel. For the purposes of this subsection (1.5), “alternative
fuel” has the same meaning provided in section 25-7-106.8(1)(a), C.R.S.
(2) The department upon registering any vehicle under the laws of this state, which
vehicle is designed and used primarily for the transportation of property or for the transportation
of ten or more persons, may acquire such information and may make such investigation or tests
as necessary to enable it to determine whether such vehicle may safely be operated upon the
highways in compliance with all the provisions of this article. The department shall not register
any such vehicle for a permissible gross weight exceeding the limitations set forth in sections
501 to 512 and 1407 of this Code. Every such vehicle shall meet the following requirements:
(a) It shall be equipped with brakes as required in section 223;
(b) Every motor vehicle to be operated outside of business and residential district shall
have motive power adequate to propel at a reasonable speed such vehicle and any load thereon or
be drawn thereby.
(3) If the federal highway administration or the United States congress prescribes or
adopts vehicle size or weight limits greater than those now prescribed by the “Federal-Aid
Highway Act of 1956”, which limits exceed in full or in part the provisions of section 504 or
paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of this Code, the transportation commission, upon
determining that Colorado highways have been constructed to standards which will
accommodate such additional size or weight and that the adoption of said size and weight
limitations will not jeopardize any distribution of federal highway funds to the state, may adopt
size and weight limits comparable to those prescribed or adopted by the federal highway
administration or the United States congress and may authorize said limits to be used by owners
or operators of vehicles while said vehicles are using highways within this state; but no vehicle
size or weight limit so adopted by the commission shall be less in any respect than those now
provided for in section 504 or paragraph (b) or (c) of subsection (1) of this section.
(4) Any person who drives a vehicle or owns a vehicle in violation of any provision of
this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
509. Vehicles weighed – excess removed.
(1) Any police or peace officer, as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S., having reason
to believe that the weight of a vehicle and load is unlawful is authorized to require the driver to
stop and submit to a weighing of the same by means of either portable or stationary scales or
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shall require that such vehicle be driven to the nearest public scales in the event such scales are
within five miles.
(2) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), whenever an officer
upon weighing a vehicle and load as provided in subsection (1) of this section determines that the
weight is unlawful, such officer shall require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable place and
remain standing until such portion of the load is removed as may be necessary to reduce the
gross weight of such vehicle to such limit as permitted under sections 501 to 512 and 1407. All
material so unloaded shall be cared for by the owner or operator of such vehicle at the risk of
such owner or operator.
(b) Whenever an officer upon weighing a vehicle and load as provided in subsection (1)
of this section determines that the weight is unlawful and the load consists solely of either
explosives or hazardous materials as defined in section 102 (32), such officer shall permit the
driver of such vehicle to proceed to the driver’s destination without requiring the driver to unload
the excess portion of such load.
(3) Any driver of a vehicle who fails or refuses to stop and submit the vehicle and load to
a weighing or who fails or refuses when directed by an officer upon a weighing of the vehicle to
stop the vehicle and otherwise comply with the provisions of this section commits a class 2
misdemeanor traffic offense.
510. Permits for excess size and weight and for manufactured homes - rules.
(1) (a) Any local authority with respect to highways under its jurisdiction may, upon
application in writing and good cause being shown therefor, issue a single trip, a special, or an
annual permit in writing authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of
vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this Code or
otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of this Code upon any highway under the
jurisdiction of the party granting such permit and for the maintenance of which said party is
responsible; except that permits for the movement of any manufactured home shall be issued as
provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(b) (I) The application for any permit shall specifically describe the vehicle and load to be
operated or moved and the particular highways for which the permit to operate is requested, and
whether such permit is for a single trip, a special, or an annual operation, and the time of such
movement. All local permits shall be issued in the discretion of the local authority pursuant to
ordinances or resolutions adopted in accordance with section 511. Any ordinances or resolutions
of local authorities shall not conflict with this section.
(II) An overweight permit issued pursuant to this section shall be available for
overweight divisible loads if:
(A) The vehicle has a quad axle grouping and the maximum gross weight of the vehicle
does not exceed one hundred ten thousand pounds; or
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(B) The vehicle is operated in combination with a trailer or semitrailer, the trailer has two
or three axles, and the maximum gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed ninety-seven
thousand pounds; and
(C) The owner and operator of the motor vehicle are in compliance with the federal
“Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999”, Pub.L. 106-159, as amended, as applicable to
commercial vehicles; and
(D) The vehicle complies with rules promulgated by the department of transportation
concerning the distribution of the load upon the vehicle’s axles.
(III) A permit issued pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall not authorize the operation or
movement of a motor vehicle on the interstate highway in violation of federal law.
(c) (I) A single trip or annual permit shall be issued pursuant to this section for a self-
propelled fixed load crane that exceeds legal weight limits if it does not exceed the weight limits
authorized by the department of transportation. A boom trailer or boom dolly shall not be
permitted unless the boom trailer or boom dolly is attached to the crane in a manner and for the
purpose of distributing load to meet the weight requirements established by the department. A
self-propelled fixed load crane may be permitted with counterweights when a boom trailer or
boom dolly is used if the counterweights do not exceed the manufacturer’s rated capacity of the
self-propelled fixed load crane and do not cause the vehicle to exceed permitted axle or gross
weight limits. A permit issued pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall not authorize movement on
interstate highways if not approved by federal law.
(II) For the purposes of this paragraph (c), “self-propelled fixed load crane” means a self-
powered mobile crane designed with equipment or parts permanently attached to the body of the
crane. A self-propelled fixed load crane includes, without limitation, the crane’s shackles and
slings.
Note: 1.5 & 1.7(2) (a) An authentication of paid ad valorem taxes, after notification of
such movement to the county treasurer, may serve as a permit for movement of manufactured
homes on public streets or highways under the county’s jurisdiction. An authentication of paid
ad valorem taxes from the county treasurer of the county from which the manufactured home is
to be moved, after notification of such movement has been provided to the county assessor of the
county to which the manufactured home is to be moved, pursuant to section 39-5-205, C.R.S.,
may also serve as a permit for the movement of manufactured homes from one adjoining county
to an adjoining county on streets and highways under local jurisdiction. The treasurer shall issue
along with the authentication of paid ad valorem taxes a transportable manufactured home
permit. The treasurer may establish and collect a fee, which shall not exceed ten dollars, for
issuing the authentication of paid ad valorem taxes and the transportable manufactured home
permit. Such transportable manufactured home permit shall be printed on an eleven inch by six
inch fluorescent orange card and shall contain the following information: The name and address
of the owner of the mobile home; the name and address of the mover; the transport number of the
mover, a description of the mobile home including the make, year, and identification or serial
number; the county authentication number; and an expiration date. The expiration date shall be
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set by the treasurer, but in no event shall the expiration date be more than thirty days after the
date of issue of the permit. Such transportable manufactured home permit shall be valid for a
single trip only. The transportable manufactured home permit shall be prominently displayed on
the rear of the mobile home during transit of the mobile home. Peace officers and local tax and
assessment officials may request, and upon demand shall be shown, all moving permits, tax
receipts, or certificates required by this subsection (2). Nothing in this section shall require a
permit from a county treasurer for the movement of a new manufactured home. For the purposes
of this section, a new manufactured home is one in transit under invoice or manufacturer’s
statement of origin which has not been previously occupied for residential purposes.
(b) All applications for permits to move manufactured homes over state highways shall
comply with the following special provisions:
(I) Each such application shall be for a single trip, a special permit, an annual permit, or,
subject to the requirements of paragraph (a) of subsection (1.5) of this section, an annual fleet
permit. The application shall be accompanied by a certificate or other proof of public liability
insurance in amounts of not less than one hundred thousand dollars per person and three hundred
thousand dollars per accident for all manufactured homes moved within this state by the permit
holder during the effective term of the permit. Each application for a single trip permit shall be
accompanied by an authentication of paid ad valorem taxes on the used manufactured home.
(II) Holders of permits shall keep and maintain, for not less than three calendar years,
records of all manufactured homes moved in whole or in part within this state, which records
shall include the plate number of the towing vehicle; the year, make, serial number, and size of
the unit moved, together with date of the move; the place of pickup; and the exact address of the
final destination and the county of final destination and the name and address of the landowner
of the final destination. These records shall be available upon request within this state for
inspection by the state of Colorado or any of its ad valorem taxing governmental subdivisions.
(III) Holders of permits shall obtain an authentication of paid ad valorem taxes through
the date of the move from the owner of a used manufactured home or from the county treasurer
of the county from which the used manufactured home is being moved. Permit holders shall
notify the county treasurer of the county from which the manufactured home is being moved of
the new exact address of the final destination and the county of final destination of the
manufactured home and the name and address of the landowner of the final destination, and, if
within the state, the county treasurer shall forward copies of the used manufactured home tax
certificate to the county assessor of the destination county. County treasurers may compute ad
valorem manufactured home taxes due based upon the next preceding year’s assessment prorated
through the date of the move and accept payment of such as payment in full.
(IV) No owner of a manufactured home shall move the manufactured home or provide
for the movement of the manufactured home without being the holder of a paid ad valorem tax
certificate and a transportable manufactured home permit thereon, and no person shall assist such
an owner in the movement of such owner’s manufactured home, including a manufactured home
dealer. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b), a permit holder who moves any
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manufactured home within this state shall be liable for all unpaid ad valorem taxes thereon
through the date of such move if movement is made prior to payment of the ad valorem taxes due
on the manufactured home moved.
(V) In the event of an imminent natural or man-made disaster or emergency, including,
but not limited to, rising waters, flood, or fire, the owner, owner’s representative or agent,
occupant, or tenant of a manufactured home or the mobile home park owner or manager,
lienholder, or manufactured home dealer is specifically exempted from the need to obtain a
permit pursuant to this section and may move the endangered manufactured home out of the
danger area to a temporary or new permanent location and may move such manufactured home
back to its original location without a permit or penalty or fee requirement. Upon any such move
to a temporary location as a result of a disaster or emergency, the person making the move or
such person’s agent or representative shall notify the county assessor in the county to which the
manufactured home has been moved, within twenty days after such move, of the date and
circumstances pertaining to the move and the temporary or permanent new location of the
manufactured home. If the manufactured home is moved to a new permanent location from a
temporary location as a result of a disaster or emergency, a permit for such move shall be issued
but no fee shall be assessed.
(3) Any local authority is authorized to issue or withhold a permit, as provided in this
section, and, if such permit is issued, to limit the number of trips, or to establish seasonal or other
time limitations within which the vehicles described may be operated on the highways indicated,
or otherwise to limit or prescribe conditions of operation of such vehicles, when necessary to
protect the safety of highway users, to protect the efficient movement of traffic from
unreasonable interference, or to protect the highways from undue damage to the road
foundations, surfaces, or structures and may require such undertaking or other security as may be
deemed necessary to compensate for any injury to any highway or highway structure.
(4) The original or a copy of every such permit shall be carried in the vehicle or
combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any police officer or
authorized agent of any authority granting such permit; except that, if a peace officer, as
described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S., or an authorized agent of the authority that granted a
permit may determine that the permit can be electronically verified at the time of contact, a copy
of the permit need not be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers. No
person shall violate any of the terms or conditions of such permit.
(5) No vehicle having a permit under this section shall be remodeled, rebuilt, altered, or
changed except in such a way as to conform to those specifications and limitations established in
sections 501 to 507 and 1407.
(6) Any person who has obtained a valid permit for the movement of any oversize vehicle
or load may attach to such vehicle or load or to any vehicle accompanying the same not more
than three illuminated flashing yellow signals as warning devices.
(7) No permit shall be necessary for the operation of authorized emergency vehicles,
public transportation vehicles operated by municipalities or other political subdivisions of the
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state, county road maintenance and county road construction equipment temporarily moved upon
the highway, implements of husbandry, and farm tractors temporarily moved upon the highway,
including transportation of such tractors or implements by a person dealing therein to such
person’s place of business within the state or to the premises of a purchaser or prospective
purchaser within the state; nor shall such vehicles or equipment be subject to the size and weight
provisions of this part 5.
(8) The department of transportation shall have a procedure to allow those persons who
are transporting loads from another state into Colorado and who would require a permit under
the provisions of this section to make advance arrangements by telephone or other means of
communication for the issuance of a permit if the load otherwise complies with the requirements
of this section.
(9) No permit shall be necessary for the operation of authorized emergency vehicles,
public transportation vehicles operated by municipalities or other political subdivisions of the
state, county road maintenance and county road construction equipment temporarily moved upon
the highway, implements of husbandry, and farm tractors temporarily moved upon the highway,
including transportation of such tractors or implements by a person dealing therein to such
person's place of business within the state or to the premises of a purchaser or prospective
purchaser within the state; nor shall such vehicles or equipment be subject to the size and weight
provisions of this part 5.
(10) Local law enforcement officials shall verify the validity of permits issued under this
section whenever feasible. Upon determination by any of such officials or by any personnel of a
county assessor's or county treasurer's office indicating that a manufactured home has been
moved without a valid permit, the district attorney shall investigate and prosecute any alleged
violation as authorized by law.
(11) (a) Any local authority may impose a fee, in addition to but not to exceed the
following amounts:
(I) (I) For overlength, overwidth, and overheight permits on loads or vehicles which do
not exceed legal weight limits:
(A) Annual permit, two hundred fifty dollars;
(B) Single trip permit, fifteen dollars;
(II) Not applicable.
(III) For overweight permits for vehicles or loads exceeding legal weight limits up to two
hundred thousand pounds:
(A) Annual permit, four hundred dollars;
(B) Single trip permit, fifteen dollars plus five dollars per axle;
(C) Annual fleet permits, one thousand five hundred dollars plus twenty-five dollars per
vehicle to be permitted. For purposes of this sub-subparagraph (C), "fleet" means any group of
two or more vehicles owned by one person. This sub-subparagraph (C) shall apply only to longer
vehicle combinations as defined in section 505.
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(c) Any local authority may impose a fee for a special permit for structural, oversize, or
overweight moves requiring extraordinary action or moves involving weight in excess of two
hundred thousand pounds, except that a super-load permit fee is four hundred dollars, the amount
of the fee shall not exceed the actual cost of the extraordinary action.
(12) (a) Any person holding a permit issued pursuant to this section or any person
operating a vehicle pursuant to such permit who violates any provision of this section, any
ordinance or resolution of a local authority, or any standards or rules or regulations promulgated
pursuant to this section, except the provisions of subparagraph (IV) of paragraph (b) of
subsection (2) of this section, commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
(b) Any person who violates the provisions of subparagraph (IV) of paragraph (b) of
subsection (2) of this section commits a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall
be fined two hundred dollars; except that, upon conviction of a second or subsequent such
offense, such person commits a class 3 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in
section 18-1.3-501, C.R.S.
(c) A local authority with regard to a local permit may, after a hearing, revoke, suspend,
refuse to renew, or refuse to issue any permit authorized by this section upon a finding that the
holder of the permit has violated the provisions of this section, any ordinance or resolution of the
local authority, or any standards or rules promulgated pursuant to this section.
511. Permit standards - state and local.
(1) (a) Any permits which may be required by local authorities shall be issued in
accordance with ordinances and resolutions adopted by the respective local authorities after a
public hearing at which testimony is received from affected motor vehicle owners and operators.
Notice of such public hearing shall be published in a newspaper having general circulation
within the local authority’s jurisdiction. Such notice shall not be less than eight days prior to the
date of hearing. The publication shall not be placed in that portion of the newspaper in which
legal notices or classified advertisements appear. Such notice shall state the purpose of the
hearing, the time and place of the hearing, and that the general public, including motor vehicle
owners and operators to be affected, may attend and make oral or written comments regarding
the proposed ordinance or resolution. Notice of any subsequent hearing shall be published in the
same manner as for the original hearing.
(b) At least thirty days prior to such public hearing, the local authority shall transmit a
copy of the proposed ordinance or resolution to the department of transportation for its
comments, and said department shall make such comments in writing to the local authority prior
to such public hearing.
(c) Any local authority that adopts or has adopted an ordinance or resolution governing
permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles or loads shall file a copy of the
ordinance or resolution with the department of transportation.
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512. Liability for damage to highway.
(1) No person shall drive, operate, or move upon or over any highway or highway
structure any vehicle, object, or contrivance in such a manner so as to cause damage to said
highway or highway structure. When the damage sustained to said highway or highway structure
is the result of the operating, driving, or moving of such vehicle, object, or contrivance weighing
in excess of the maximum weight authorized by sections 501 to 512 and 1407, it shall be no
defense to any action, either civil or criminal, brought against such person that the weight of the
vehicle was authorized by special permit issued in accordance with sections 501 to 512 and
1407.
(2) Every person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be liable
for all damage which said highway or highway structure may sustain as a result thereof.
Whenever the driver of such vehicle, object, or contrivance is not the owner thereof but is
operating, driving, or moving such vehicle, object, or contrivance with the express or implied
consent of the owner thereof, then said owner or driver shall be jointly and severally liable for
any such damage. The liability for damage sustained by any such highway or highway structure
may be enforced by a civil action by the authorities in control of such highway or highway
structure. No satisfaction of such civil liability, however, shall be deemed to be a release or
satisfaction of any criminal liability for violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this
section.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
PART 6
SIGNALS - SIGNS – MARKINGS
601. Local governments to sign highways, where.
This local government shall place and maintain such traffic control devices, conforming
to the "Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices" and specifications, upon streets and
highways as it deems necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this Code or to
regulate, warn, or guide traffic.
602. Local traffic control devices.
(1) No local authority shall erect or maintain any stop sign or traffic control signal at any
location so as to require the traffic on any state highway to stop before entering or crossing any
intersecting highway unless approval in writing has first been obtained from the department of
transportation.
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(2) Where practical no local authority shall maintain three traffic control signals located
on a roadway so as to be within one minute’s driving time (to be determined by the speed limit)
from any one of the signals to the other without synchronizing the lights to enhance the flow of
traffic and thereby reduce air pollution.
603. Obedience to official traffic control devices.
(1) No driver of a vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic control
device including any official hand signal device placed or displayed in accordance with the
provisions of this Code unless otherwise directed by a police officer subject to the exceptions in
this Code granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle.
(2) No provision of this Code for which official traffic control devices are required shall
be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation an official
device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant
person. Whenever a particular section does not state that official traffic control devices are
required, such section shall be effective even though no devices are erected or in place.
(3) Whenever official traffic control devices are placed in position approximately
conforming to the requirements of this Code, such devices shall be presumed to have been so
placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority unless the contrary is established by
competent evidence.
(4) Any official traffic control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this Code and
purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices shall be presumed to
comply with the requirements of this Code unless the contrary is established by competent
evidence.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
604. Traffic control signal legend.
(1) If traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights, or
colored lighted arrows, successively one at a time or in combination as declared in the traffic
control manual adopted by the department of transportation, only the colors green, yellow, and
red shall be used, except for special pedestrian-control signals carrying a word or symbol legend
as provided in section 802, and said lights, arrows, and combinations thereof shall indicate and
apply to drivers of vehicles and pedestrians as follows:
(a) Green indication:
(I) Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed straight through or turn
right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits such turn; but vehicular traffic, including
vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians
lawfully within the intersection and to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk at the
time such signal is exhibited.
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(II) Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal, shown alone or in combination with
another indication, may cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated
by such arrow or such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same
time. Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an
adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
(III) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 42-4-
802, C.R.S., pedestrians facing any green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn
arrow, may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
(b) Steady yellow indication:
(I) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal is thereby
warned that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be
exhibited immediately thereafter.
(II) Pedestrians facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal, unless otherwise
directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 802, are thereby advised that there
is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown, and no pedestrian shall
then start to cross the roadway.
(c) Steady red indication:
(I) Vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked
stop line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if
none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an indication to
proceed is shown; except that:
(A) Such vehicular traffic, after coming to a stop and yielding the right-of-way to
pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the
intersection, may make a right turn, unless state or local road authorities within their respective
jurisdictions have by ordinance or resolution prohibited any such right turn and have erected an
official sign at each intersection where such right turn is prohibited.
(B) Such vehicular traffic, when proceeding on a one-way street and after coming to a
stop, may make a left turn onto a one-way street upon which traffic is moving to the left of the
driver. Such turn shall be made only after yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians and other
traffic proceeding as directed. No turn shall be made pursuant to this sub-subparagraph (B) if
local authorities have by ordinance prohibited any such left turn and erected a sign giving notice
of any such prohibition at each intersection where such left turn is prohibited.
(C) To promote uniformity in traffic regulation throughout the state and to protect the
public peace, health, and safety, the general assembly declares that no local authority shall have
any discretion other than is expressly provided in this subparagraph (I).
(II) Pedestrians facing a steady circular red signal alone shall not enter the roadway,
unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 802.
(III) Vehicular traffic facing a steady red arrow signal may not enter the intersection to
make the movement indicated by such arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make such
other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, shall stop at a
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clearly marked stop line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until an
indication to make the movement indicated by such arrow is shown.
(IV) Pedestrians facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway, unless
otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 802.
(d) Non-intersection signal: In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and
maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section shall be applicable
except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required
shall be made at a sign or pavement marking indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the
absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal.
(e) Lane-use-control signals: Whenever lane-use-control signals are placed over the
individual lanes of a street or highway, as declared in the traffic control manual adopted by the
department of transportation, such signals shall indicate and apply to drivers of vehicles as
follows:
(I) Downward-pointing green arrow (steady): A driver facing such signal may drive in
any lane over which said green arrow signal is located.
(II) Yellow “X” (steady): A driver facing such signal is warned that the related green
arrow movement is being terminated and shall vacate in a safe manner the lane over which said
steady yellow signal is located to avoid if possible occupying that lane when the steady red “X”
signal is exhibited.
(III) Yellow “X” (flashing): A driver facing such signal may use the lane over which said
flashing yellow signal is located for the purpose of making a left turn or a passing maneuver,
using proper caution, but for no other purpose.
(IV) Red “X” (steady): A driver facing such signal shall not drive in any lane over which
said red signal is exhibited.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
605. Flashing signals.
(1) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in conjunction with a
traffic sign or a traffic signal or as a traffic beacon, it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic
as follows:
(a) When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall
stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of
the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver
has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection,
and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(b) When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles
may proceed past such signal and through the intersection or other hazardous location only with
caution.
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(2) This section shall not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of drivers of vehicles
approaching railroad crossings shall be governed by the provisions of sections 706 to 708.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
606. Display of unauthorized signs or devices.
(1) No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any highway any
unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or
resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct
the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any
official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal, and no person shall place or maintain
nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon
any commercial advertising. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to prohibit the
use of motorist services information of a general nature on official highway guide signs if such
signs do not indicate the brand, trademark, or name of any private business or commercial
enterprise offering the service, nor shall this section be deemed to prohibit the erection upon
private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type
that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
(2) Every such prohibited sign, signal, or marking is declared to be a public nuisance, and
the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is empowered to remove the same or cause it
to be removed without notice.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to informational sites authorized
under section 43-1-405, C.R.S.
(5) The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to specific information signs
authorized under section 43-1-420, C.R.S.
607. Interference with official devices.
(1) (a) No person shall, without lawful authority, attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure,
knock down, remove, or interfere with the effective operation of any official traffic control
device or any railroad sign or signal or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon or any other
part thereof. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person who
violates any provision of this paragraph (a) commits a class B traffic infraction.
(b) No person shall possess or sell, without lawful authority, an electronic device that is
designed to cause a traffic light to change. A person who violates any provision of this paragraph
(b) commits a class B traffic infraction.
(2) (a) No person shall use an electronic device, without lawful authority, that causes a
traffic light to change. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2), a
person who violates any provision of this paragraph (a) commits a class A traffic infraction.
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(b) A person who violates any provision of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) and
thereby proximately causes bodily injury to another person commits a class 1 misdemeanor
traffic offense. In addition to any other penalty imposed by law, the court shall impose a fine of
one thousand dollars.
608. Signals by hand or signal device.
(1) Any stop or turn signal when required as provided by section 42-4-903, C.R.S., shall
be given either by means of the hand and arm as provided by section 42-4-609, C.R.S., or by
signal lamps or signal device of the type approved by the department, except as otherwise
provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and the required
signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering
post to the left outside limit of the body, cab, or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty-four
inches or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the
body or load thereof exceeds fourteen feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single
vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
609. Method of giving hand and arm signals.
(1) All signals required to be given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of
the vehicle in the following manner, and such signals shall indicate as follows:
(a) Left-turn, hand and arm extended horizontally;
(b) Right-turn, hand and arm extended upward;
(c) Stop or decrease speed, hand and arm extended downward.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
610. Unauthorized insignia.
No owner shall display upon any part of the owner’s vehicle any official designation,
sign, or insignia of any public or quasi-public corporation or municipal, state, or national
department or governmental subdivision without authority of such agency or any insignia, badge,
sign, emblem, or distinctive mark of any organization or society of which the owner is not a bona
fide member or otherwise authorized to display such sign or insignia. Any person who violates
any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
611. Paraplegic persons or persons with disabilities - distress flag.
1) Any paraplegic person or person with a disability when in motor vehicle distress is
authorized to display by the side of such person’s disabled vehicle a white flag of approximately
seven and one-half inches in width and thirteen inches in length, with the letter “D” thereon in
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red color with an irregular one-half inch red border. Said flag shall be of reflective material so as
to be readily discernible under darkened conditions, and said reflective material must be
submitted to and approved by the department of transportation before the same is used.
(2) Any person who is not a paraplegic person or a person with a disability who uses such
flag as a signal or for any other purpose is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof,
shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than three hundred
dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than ten days nor more than ninety
days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
612. When signals are inoperative or malfunctioning.
(1) Whenever a driver approaches an intersection and faces a traffic control signal which
is inoperative or which remains on steady red or steady yellow during several time cycles, the
rules controlling entrance to a through street or highway from a stop street or highway, as
provided under section 703, shall apply until a police officer assumes control of traffic or until
normal operation is resumed. In the event that any traffic control signal at a place other than an
intersection should cease to operate or should malfunction as set forth in this section, drivers may
proceed through the inoperative or malfunctioning signal only with caution, as if the signal were
one of flashing yellow.
(2) Whenever a pedestrian faces a pedestrian-control signal as provided in section 802
which is inoperative or which remains on “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” during several time cycles,
such pedestrian shall not enter the roadway unless the pedestrian can do so safely and without
interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
613. Failure to pay toll established by regional transportation authority.
Any person who fails to pay a required fee, toll, rate, or charge established by a regional
transportation authority created pursuant to part 6 of Code 4 of title 43, C.R.S., for the privilege
of traveling on or using any property included in a regional transportation system pursuant to
part 6 of Code 4 of title 43, C.R.S., commits a class A traffic infraction.
614. Designation of highway maintenance, repair, or construction zones - signs - increase in
penalties for speeding violations.
(1) (a) If maintenance, repair, or construction activities are occurring or will occur within
four hours on a portion of a state highway, the department of transportation may designate such
portion of the highway as a highway maintenance, repair, or construction zone. Any person who
commits certain violations listed in section 1701 (4) in a maintenance, repair, or construction
zone that is designated pursuant to this section is subject to the increased penalties and
surcharges imposed by section 1701 (4) (c).
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(b) If maintenance, repair, or construction activities are occurring or will occur within
four hours on a portion of a roadway that is not a state highway, the public entity conducting the
activities may designate such portion of the roadway as a maintenance, repair, or construction
zone. A person who commits certain violations listed in section 1701 (4) in a maintenance,
repair, or construction zone that is designated pursuant to this section is subject to the increased
penalties and surcharges imposed by section 1701 (4) (c).
(2) Local authorities, within their jurisdiction, shall designate a maintenance, repair, or
construction zone by erecting or placing an appropriate sign in a conspicuous place before the
area where the maintenance, repair, or construction activity is taking place or will be taking place
within four hours. Such sign shall notify the public that increased penalties for certain traffic
violations are in effect in such zone. Local authorities shall erect or place a second sign after
such zone indicating that the increased penalties for certain traffic violations are no longer in
effect. A maintenance, repair, or construction zone begins at the location of the sign indicating
that increased penalties are in effect and ends at the location of the sign indicating that the
increased penalties are no longer in effect.
(3) Signs used for designating the beginning and end of a maintenance, construction, or
repair zone shall conform to department of transportation requirements. Local authorities may
display such signs on any fixed, variable, or movable stand. Local authorities may place such a
sign on a moving vehicle if required for certain activities, including, but not limited to, highway
painting work.
615. School zones - increase in penalties for moving traffic violations.
(1) Any person who commits a moving traffic violation in a school zone is subject to the
increased penalties and surcharges imposed by section 1701(4)(d).
(2) For the purposes of this section, “school zone” means an area that is designated as a
school zone and has appropriate signs posted indicating that the penalties and surcharges will be
doubled. The state or local government having jurisdiction over the placement of traffic signs
and traffic control devices in the school zone area shall designate when the area will be deemed
to be a school zone for the purposes of this section. In making such designation, the state or
local government shall consider when increased penalties are necessary to protect the safety of
school children.
(3) This section does not apply if the penalty and surcharge for a violation has been
doubled pursuant to section 614 because such violation also occurred within a highway
maintenance, repair, or construction zone.
616. Wildlife crossing zones - increase in penalties for moving traffic violations.
(1) Except as described by subsection (4) of this section, a person who commits a
moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone is subject to the increased penalties and
surcharges imposed by section 1701 (4) (d.5).
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(2) For the purposes of this section, "wildlife crossing zone" means an area on a public
highway that:
(a) Begins at a sign that conforms to the state traffic control manual, was erected by the
department of transportation pursuant to section 118, and indicates that a person is about to enter
a wildlife crossing zone; and
(b) Extends to:
(I) A sign that conforms to the state traffic control manual, was erected by the department
of transportation pursuant to section 118, and indicates that a person is about to leave a wildlife
crossing zone; or
(II) If no sign exists that complies with subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b), the
distance indicated on the sign indicating the beginning of the wildlife crossing zone; or
(III) If no sign exists that complies with subparagraph (I) or (II) of this paragraph (b),
one-half mile beyond the sign indicating the beginning of the wildlife crossing zone.
(3) (a) If the department of transportation erects a sign that indicates that a person is
about to enter a wildlife crossing zone pursuant to section 118, the department of transportation
shall:
(I) Establish the times of day and the periods of the calendar year during which the area
will be deemed to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section; and
(II) Ensure that the sign indicates the times of day and the periods of the calendar year
during which the area will be deemed to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this
section.
(b) In erecting signs as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (3), the department
of transportation, pursuant to section 118, shall not erect signs establishing a lower speed limit
for more than one hundred miles of the public highways of the state that have been established as
wildlife crossing zones.
(4) This section shall not apply if:
(a) The person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone is
already subject to increased penalties and surcharges for said violation pursuant to section 614 or
615;
(b) The sign indicating that a person is about to enter a wildlife crossing zone does not
indicate that increased traffic penalties are in effect in the zone; or
(c) The person who commits a moving traffic violation in a wildlife crossing zone
commits the violation during a time that the area is not deemed by the department of
transportation to be a wildlife crossing zone for the purposes of this section.
PART 7
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
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701. Vehicles approaching or entering intersection.
(1) When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at
approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to
the vehicle on the right.
(2) The foregoing rule is modified at through highways and otherwise as stated in
sections 702 to 704.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
702. Vehicle turning left.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley,
private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the
opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an
immediate hazard. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A
traffic infraction.
703. Entering through highway - stop or yield intersection.
(1) The department of transportation and local authorities, within their respective
jurisdictions, may erect and maintain stop signs, yield signs, or other official traffic control
devices to designate through highways or to designate intersections or other roadway junctions at
which vehicular traffic on one or more of the roadways is directed to yield or to stop and yield
before entering the intersection or junction. In the case of state highways, such regulations shall
be subject to the provisions of section 43-2-135 (1) (g), C.R.S.
(2) Every sign erected pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be a standard sign
adopted by the department of transportation.
(3) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer, every driver of a vehicle
approaching a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the
crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting
roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before
entering it. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the
intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard
during the time when such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of
roadways.
(4) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign, in obedience to such sign, shall slow
to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop at a
clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the
intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a
view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering it. After slowing or
stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching
on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is
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moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways; except that, if a driver is
involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of roadways after driving
past a yield sign without stopping, such collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the
driver’s failure to yield right-of-way.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
704. Vehicle entering roadway.
The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a roadway from any place other than
another roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be
entered or crossed. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A
traffic infraction.
705. Operation of vehicle approached by emergency vehicle - operation of vehicle
approaching stationary emergency vehicle.
(1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of
audible or visual signals meeting the requirements of section 213 or 222, the driver of every
other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and where possible shall immediately clear the farthest
left hand lane lawfully available to through traffic and shall drive to a position parallel to, and as
close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of a roadway clear of any intersection and shall
stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when
otherwise directed by a police officer.
(2) (a) A driver in a vehicle shall exhibit due care and caution and proceed as described in
subsections (2)(b) and (2)(c) of this section when approaching or passing;
(I) A stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of
flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, blue, or white lights as permitted by section 42-4-213 or 42-
4-222, C.R.S.;
(II) A stationary towing carrier vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of flashing,
rotating, or oscillating yellow lights; or
(III) A stationary public utility service vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of
flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights.
(b) On a highway with at least two adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction on the
same side of the highway where a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, stationary towing
carrier vehicle, or stationary public utility service vehicle is located, the driver of an approaching
or passing vehicle shall proceed with due care and caution and yield the right-of-way by moving
into a lane at least one moving lane apart from the stationary authorized emergency vehicle,
stationary towing carrier vehicle, or stationary public utility service vehicle unless directed
otherwise by a peace officer or other authorized emergency personnel. If movement to an
adjacent moving lane is not possible due to weather, road conditions, or the immediate presence
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of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall proceed in the
manner described in subsection (2)(c) of this section.
(c) On a highway that does not have at least two adjacent lanes proceeding in the same
direction on the same side of the highway where a stationary authorized emergency vehicle,
stationary towing carrier vehicle, or stationary public utility service vehicle is located, or if
movement by the driver of the approaching vehicle into an adjacent moving lane, as described in
subsection (2)(b) of this section, is not possible, the driver of an approaching vehicle shall reduce
and maintain a safe speed with regard to the location of the stationary authorized vehicle,
stationary towing carrier vehicle, or stationary public utility service vehicle; weather conditions,
road conditions, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic and proceed with due care and caution, or as
directed by a peace officer or other authorized emergency personnel.
(2.5) (a) A driver in a vehicle that is approaching or passing a maintenance, repair, or
construction vehicle that is moving at less than twenty miles per hour shall exhibit due care and
caution and proceed as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection (2.5).
(b) On a highway with at least two adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction on the
same side of the highway where a stationary or slow-moving maintenance, repair, or
construction vehicle is located, the driver of an approaching or passing vehicle shall proceed
with due care and caution and yield the right-of-way by moving into a lane at least one moving
lane apart from the vehicle, unless directed otherwise by a peace officer or other authorized
emergency personnel. If movement to an adjacent moving lane is not possible due to weather,
road conditions, or the immediate presence of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, the driver of the
approaching vehicle shall proceed in the manner described in paragraph (c) of this subsection
(2.5).
(c) On a highway that does not have at least two adjacent lanes proceeding in the same
direction on the same side of the highway where a stationary or slow-moving maintenance,
repair, or construction vehicle is located, or if movement by the driver of the approaching vehicle
into an adjacent moving lane, as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2.5), is not
possible, the driver of an approaching vehicle shall reduce and maintain a safe speed with regard
to the location of the stationary or slow-moving maintenance, repair, or construction vehicle,
weather conditions, road conditions, and vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and shall proceed with
due care and caution, or as directed by a peace officer or other authorized emergency personnel.
(2.6) (a) A driver in a vehicle that is approaching or passing a motor vehicle where the
tires are being equipped with chains on the side of the highway shall exhibit due care and caution
and proceed as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection (2.6).
(b) On a highway with at least two adjacent lanes proceeding in the same direction on the
same side of the highway where chains are being applied to the tires of a motor vehicle, the
driver of an approaching or passing vehicle shall proceed with due care and caution and yield the
right-of-way by moving into a lane at least one moving lane apart from the vehicle, unless
directed otherwise by a peace officer or other authorized emergency personnel. If movement to
an adjacent moving lane is not possible due to weather, road conditions, or the immediate
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presence of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, the driver of the approaching vehicle shall proceed in
the manner described in paragraph (c) of this subsection (2.6).
(c) On a highway that does not have at least two adjacent lanes proceeding in the same
direction on the same side of the highway where chains are being applied to the tires of a motor
vehicle, or if movement by the driver of the approaching vehicle into an adjacent moving lane, as
described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2.6), is not possible, the driver of an approaching
vehicle shall reduce and maintain a safe speed with regard to the location of the motor vehicle
where chains are being applied to the tires, weather conditions, road conditions, and vehicular or
pedestrian traffic, and shall proceed with due care and caution, or as directed by a peace officer
or other authorized emergency personnel.
(3) (a) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
(b) (I) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3)(b)(II) and (3)(b)(III) of this section,
any person who violates subsection (2), (2.5), or (2.6) of this section commits careless driving as
described in 42-4-1402, C.R.S.
(II) If the person violates subsection (2) of this section and the person’s actions are the
proximate cause of bodily injury to another person, the person commits a class 1 misdemeanor
and shall be punished as described in section 18-1.3-501.
(III) If the person violations subsection (2) of this section and the person’s actions are the
proximate cause of the death of another person, the person commits a class 6 felony and shall be
punished as described in section 18-1.3-401.
706. Obedience to railroad signal.
(1) Any driver of a motor vehicle approaching a railroad crossing sign shall slow down
to a speed that is reasonable and safe for the existing conditions. If required to stop for a traffic
control device, flagperson, or safety before crossing the railroad grade crossing, the driver shall
stop at the marked stop line, if any. If no such stop line exists, the driver shall:
(a) Stop not less than fifteen feet nor more than fifty feet from the nearest rail of the
railroad grade crossing and shall not proceed until the railroad grade can be crossed safely; or
(b) In the event the driver would not have a reasonable view of approaching trains when
stopped pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), stop before proceeding across the
railroad grade crossing at the point nearest such crossing where the driver has a reasonable view
of approaching trains and not proceed until the railroad grade can be crossed safely.
(2) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or
barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed, nor
shall any pedestrian pass through, around, over, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad
grade crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
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707. Certain vehicles must stop at railroad grade crossings.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the driver of a school bus, as defined in
paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of this section, carrying any schoolchild, the driver of a vehicle
carrying hazardous materials that is required to be placarded in accordance with regulations
issued pursuant to section 42-20-108, C.R.S., or the driver of a commercial vehicle, as defined in
section 42-4-235, C.R.S., that is transporting passengers, before crossing at grade any tracks of a
railroad, shall stop such vehicle within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail
of such railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along such track for
any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train and shall not proceed
until the driver can do so safely. After stopping as required in this section and upon proceeding
when it is safe to do so, the driver of any said vehicle shall cross only in such gear of the vehicle
that there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing such crossing, and the driver
shall not manually shift gears while crossing the tracks.
(2) This section shall not apply at street railway grade crossings within a business district.
(3) When stopping as required at such railroad crossing, the driver shall keep as far to the
right of the roadway as possible and shall not form two lanes of traffic unless the roadway is
marked for four or more lanes of traffic.
(4) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply at:
(a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2006, p. 42, §1, effective July 1, 2006.)
(b) Any railroad grade crossing at which traffic is regulated by a traffic control signal;
(c) Any railroad grade crossing at which traffic is controlled by a police officer or human
flagperson;
(d) Any railroad crossing where state or local road authorities within their respective
jurisdictions have determined that trains are not operating during certain periods or seasons of
the year and have erected an official sign carrying the legend “exempt”, which shall give notice
when so posted that such crossing is exempt from the stopping requirement provided for in this
section.
(5) For the purposes of this section:
(a) The definition of hazardous materials shall be the definition contained in the rules
adopted by the chief of the Colorado state patrol pursuant to section 42-20-108, C.R.S.
(b) “School bus” means only those school buses that are required to bear on the front and
rear of such school bus the words “SCHOOL BUS” and display visual signal lights pursuant to
section 1903 (2) (a).
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
708. Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing.
(1) No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, or
roller or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten or less miles per hour
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or a vertical body or load clearance of less than nine inches above the level surface of a roadway
upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section.
(2) Notice of any such intended crossing shall be given to a superintendent of such
railroad and a reasonable time be given to such railroad to provide proper protection at such
crossing.
(3) Before making any such crossing, the person operating or moving any such vehicle or
equipment shall first stop the same not less than fifteen feet nor more than fifty feet from the
nearest rail of such railroad, and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along
such track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall
not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.
(4) No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or
crossing gates or a flagperson or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car.
(5) Subsection (3) of this section shall not apply at any railroad crossing where state or
local road authorities within their respective jurisdictions have determined that trains are not
operating during certain periods or seasons of the year and have erected an official sign carrying
the legend “exempt”, which shall give notice when so posted that such crossing is exempt from
the stopping requirement provided in this section.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
709. Stop when traffic obstructed.
No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk or drive onto any railroad
grade crossing unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection, crosswalk, or
railroad grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle the driver is operating without obstructing
the passage of other vehicles, pedestrians, or railroad trains, notwithstanding the indication of
any traffic control signal to proceed. Any person who violates any provision of this section
commits a class A traffic infraction.
710. Emerging from or entering alley, driveway, or building.
1) The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway, building, parking lot, or
other place, immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or into the sidewalk area extending
across any such alleyway, driveway, or entranceway, shall yield the right-of-way to any
pedestrian upon or about to enter such sidewalk or sidewalk area extending across such
alleyway, driveway, or entranceway, as may be necessary to avoid collision, and when entering
the roadway shall comply with the provisions of section 704.
(2) The driver of a vehicle entering an alley, driveway, or entranceway shall yield the
right-of-way to any pedestrian within or about to enter the sidewalk or sidewalk area extending
across such alleyway, driveway, or entranceway.
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(3) No person shall drive any vehicle other than a bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, or any
other human-powered vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or
duly authorized temporary driveway.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
711. Driving on mountain highways.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle traveling through defiles or canyons or on mountain
highways shall hold such motor vehicle under control and as near to the right-hand edge of the
highway as reasonably possible and, except when driving entirely to the right of the center of the
roadway, shall give audible warning with the horn of such motor vehicle upon approaching any
curve where the view is obstructed within a distance of two hundred feet along the highway.
(2) On narrow mountain highways with turnouts having a grade of six percent or more,
ascending vehicles shall have the right-of-way over descending vehicles, except where it is more
practicable for the ascending vehicle to return to a turnout.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
712. Driving in highway work area.
(1) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized vehicle or
pedestrian engaged in work upon a highway within any highway construction or maintenance
work area indicated by official traffic control devices.
(2) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any authorized service vehicle
engaged in work upon a highway whenever such vehicle displays flashing lights meeting the
requirements of section 214.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
713. Yielding right-of-way to transit buses - definitions - penalty.
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Public mass transit operator” has the same meaning as in section 43-1-102 (5),
C.R.S.
(b) “Transit bus” means a bus operated by a public mass transit operator.
(2) Drivers of vehicles in the same lane of traffic and behind a transit bus shall yield the
right-of-way to the bus if:
(a) The driver of the transit bus, after stopping to allow passengers to board or exit, is
signaling an intention to enter a traffic lane; and
(b) A yield sign as described in subsection (3) of this section is displayed and illuminated
on the back of the transit bus.
(3) The yield sign referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section shall:
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(a) Warn a driver of a vehicle behind the transit bus that the driver is required to yield
when the bus is entering a traffic lane; and
(b) Be illuminated when the driver of the transit bus is attempting to enter a traffic lane.
(4) This section does not require a public mass transit operator to install yield signs as
described in subsection (3) of this section on transit buses operated by the public mass transit
operator.
(5) This section does not relieve a driver of a transit bus from the duty to drive with due
regard for the safety of all persons using the roadway.
PART 8
PEDESTRIANS
801. Pedestrian obedience to traffic control devices and traffic regulations.
(1) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device
specifically applicable to the pedestrian, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(2) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic and pedestrian-control signals as provided in
sections 604 and 802 (5).
(3) At all other places, pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to
the restrictions stated in this Code.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
802. Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks.
(1) When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle
shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian
crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway
upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the
opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply under the conditions stated in section
803.
(3) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and ride a bicycle,
ride an electrical assisted bicycle, walk, or run into the path of a moving vehicle that is so close
as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(4) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked
crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other
vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
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(5) Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” word
or symbol indications are in place, as declared in the traffic control manual adopted by the
department of transportation, such signals shall indicate and require as follows:
(a) “Walk” (steady): While the “Walk” indication is steadily illuminated, pedestrians
facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal indication and
shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.
(b) “Don’t Walk” (steady): While the “Don’t Walk” indication is steadily illuminated, no
pedestrian shall enter the roadway in the direction of the signal indication.
(c) “Don’t Walk” (flashing): Whenever the “Don’t Walk” indication is flashing, no
pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal indication, but any
pedestrian who has partly completed crossing during the “Walk” indication shall proceed to a
sidewalk or to a safety island, and all drivers of vehicles shall yield to any such pedestrian.
(d) Whenever a signal system provides for the stopping of all vehicular traffic and the
exclusive movement of pedestrians and “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” signal indications control
such pedestrian movement, pedestrians may cross in any direction between corners of the
intersection offering the shortest route within the boundaries of the intersection while the “Walk”
indication is exhibited, if signals and other official devices direct pedestrian movement in such
manner consistent with section 803 (4).
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
803. Crossing at other than crosswalks.
(1) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked
crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all
vehicles upon the roadway.
(2) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead
pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the
roadway.
(3) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation,
pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
(4) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by
official traffic control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross
only in accordance with the official traffic control devices pertaining to such crossing
movements.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
804. Pedestrian to use right half of crosswalk. (Repealed)
805. Pedestrians walking or traveling in a wheelchair on highways.
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(1) Pedestrians walking or traveling in a wheelchair along and upon highways where
sidewalks are not provided shall walk or travel only on a road shoulder as far as practicable from
the edge of the roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor road shoulder is available, any pedestrian
walking or traveling in a wheelchair along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable
to an outside edge of the roadway and, in the case of a two-way roadway, shall walk or travel
only on the left side of the roadway facing traffic that may approach from the opposite direction;
except that any person lawfully soliciting a ride may stand on either side of such two-way
roadway where there is a view of traffic approaching from both directions.
(2) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride from the driver
of any private vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection (2), “roadway” means that portion of
the road normally used by moving motor vehicle traffic.
(3) It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of alcohol or of any
controlled substance, as defined in section 12-22-303 (7), C.R.S., or of any stupefying drug to
walk or be upon that portion of any highway normally used by moving motor vehicle traffic.
(4) This section applying to pedestrians shall also be applicable to riders of animals.
(5) This local government may, by ordinance, regulate the use by pedestrians of streets
and highways under its jurisdiction to the extent authorized under subsection (6) of this section
and sections 110 and 111, but no ordinance regulating such use of streets and highways in a
manner differing from this section shall be effective until official signs or devices giving notice
thereof have been placed as required by section 111 (2).
(6) No person shall solicit a ride on any highway included in the interstate system, as
defined in section 43-2-101 (2), C.R.S., except at an entrance to or exit from such highway or at
places specifically designated by the department of transportation; or, in an emergency affecting
a vehicle or its operation, a driver or passenger of a disabled vehicle may solicit a ride on any
highway.
(7) Pedestrians shall only be picked up where there is adequate road space for vehicles to
pull off and not endanger and impede the flow of traffic.
(8) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of
audible or visual signals meeting the requirements of section 213 or of a police vehicle properly
and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, every pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way
to the authorized emergency vehicle and shall leave the roadway and remain off the same until
the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
This subsection (8) shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty
to use due care as provided in sections 108 (4) and 807.
(9) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
806. Driving through safety zone prohibited.
No vehicle at any time shall be driven through or within a safety zone. Any person who
violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
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807. Drivers to exercise due care.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Code, every driver of a vehicle shall
exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give
warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon
observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway. Any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
808. Drivers and pedestrians, other than persons in wheelchairs, to yield to persons with
disabilities.
(1) Any pedestrian other than a person in a wheelchair, or any driver of a vehicle who
approaches an individual who has an obviously apparent disability shall immediately come to a
full stop and take such precautions before proceeding as are necessary to avoid an accident or
injury to said individual. A disability shall be deemed to be obviously apparent if, by way of
example and without limitation, the individual is using a mobility device, is assisted by a service
animal as defined in section 24-34-301, C.R.S., is being assisted by another person, or is walking
with an obvious physical impairment. Any person who violates any provision of this section
commits a class A traffic offense.
PART 9
TURNING – STOPPING
901. Required position and method of turning.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle intending to turn shall do so as follows:
(a) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close
as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
(b) Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn in the
extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such
vehicle. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the
intersection so as to leave the intersection or other location in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully
available to traffic moving in the same direction as such vehicle on the roadway being entered.
(c) Two-way left-turn lanes. Where a special lane for making left turns by drivers
proceeding in opposite directions has been indicated by official traffic control devices in the
manner prescribed in the state traffic control manual, a left turn shall not be made from any other
lane, and a vehicle shall not be driven in said special lane except when preparing for or making a
left turn from or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U-turn when otherwise
permitted by law.
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(2) Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control
devices to be placed and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in
this section be traveled by turning vehicles, and, when such devices are so placed, no driver shall
turn a vehicle other than as directed and required by such devices. In the case of streets which are
a part of the state highway system, the local regulation shall be subject to the approval of the
department of transportation as provided in section 43-2-135 (1) (g), C.R.S.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
902. Limitations on turning around.
(1) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve
or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade where such vehicle cannot be seen by the
driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within such distance as is necessary
to avoid interfering with or endangering approaching traffic.
(2) The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle at an intersection or any other
location so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety
and without interfering with or endangering other traffic.
(3) Local authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, subject to the provisions of
section 43-2-135 (1) (g), C.R.S., in the case of streets which are state highways, may erect “U-
turn” prohibition or restriction signs at intersections or other locations where such movements
are deemed to be hazardous, and, whenever official signs are so erected, no driver of a vehicle
shall disobey the instructions thereof.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
903. Turning movements and required signals.
(1) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper
position upon the roadway as required in section 901, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or
driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway
unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving
an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 608 and 609.
(2) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less
than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning in urban or metropolitan
areas and shall be given continuously for at least two hundred feet on all four-lane highways and
other highways where the prima facie or posted speed limit is more than forty miles per hour.
Such signals shall be given regardless of existing weather conditions.
(3) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving
an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 608 and 609 to the driver of any vehicle
immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
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(4) The signals provided for in section 608 (2) shall be used to indicate an intention to
turn, change lanes, or start from a parked position and shall not be flashed on one side only on a
parked or disabled vehicle or flashed as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to operators of other
vehicles approaching from the rear.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
PART 10
DRIVING - OVERTAKING – PASSING
1001. Drive on right side - exceptions.
(1) Upon all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of
the roadway, except as follows:
(a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under
the rules governing such movement;
(b) When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the
highway; but any person so doing shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the
proper direction upon the unobstructed portion of the highway within such distance as to
constitute an immediate hazard;
(c) Upon a roadway divided into three lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon;
or
(d) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic as indicated by official traffic control
devices.
(2) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at
the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane
then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway,
except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when
preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) Upon any roadway having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for
two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the
roadway, except when authorized by official traffic control devices designating certain lanes to
the left side of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such
lanes or except as permitted under subsection (1) (b) of this section. However, this subsection (3)
does not prohibit the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private
road, or driveway when such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with,
impeding, or endangering other traffic lawfully using the highway.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
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1002. Passing oncoming vehicles.
(1) Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right,
and, upon roadways having width for not more than one lane of traffic in each direction, each
driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway as
nearly as possible.
(2) A driver shall not pass a bicyclist moving in the same direction and in the same lane
when there is oncoming traffic unless the driver can simultaneously:
(a) Allow oncoming vehicles at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the
roadway in accordance with subsection (1) of this section; and
(b) Allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the right side of the
driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all
times.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1003. Overtaking a vehicle on the left.
(1) The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in
the same direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions, and special rules stated in this section
and sections 1004 to 1008:
(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction
shall pass to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of
the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(b) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction
shall allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the right side of the driver’s
vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the left side of the bicyclist at all times.
(c) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an
overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal
and shall not increase the speed of the driver’s vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking
vehicle.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1004. When overtaking on the right is permitted.
(1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only
under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or giving indication of making a left turn;
(b) Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked
vehicles and marked for two or more lanes of moving vehicles in each direction; or
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(c) Upon a one-way street or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one
direction of movement where the roadway is free from obstructions and marked for two or more
lanes of moving vehicles.
(1.5) The driver of a motor vehicle upon a one-way roadway with two or more marked
traffic lanes, when overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction and riding on the left-
hand side of the road, shall allow the bicyclist at least a three-foot separation between the left
side of the driver’s vehicle, including all mirrors or other projections, and the right side of the
bicyclist at all times.
(2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only
under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made
by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1005. Limitations on overtaking on the left.
(1) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking
and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions
of this Code and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a
sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completed without
interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any
vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of
travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane
authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within two
hundred feet of any approaching vehicle.
(2) No vehicle shall be driven on the left side of the roadway under the following
conditions:
(a) When approaching or upon the crest of a grade or a curve in the highway where the
driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle
might approach from the opposite direction;
(b) When approaching within one hundred feet of or traversing any intersection or
railroad grade crossing; or
(c) When the view is obstructed upon approaching within one hundred feet of any bridge,
viaduct, or tunnel.
(3) Local authorities are authorized to determine those portions of any highway under
their respective jurisdictions where overtaking and passing or driving on the left side of the
roadway would be especially hazardous and may by appropriate signs or markings on the
roadway indicate the beginning and end of such zones. Where such signs or markings are in
place to define a no-passing zone and such signs or markings are clearly visible to an ordinarily
observant person, no driver shall drive on the left side of the roadway within such no-passing
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zone or on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark such no-passing zone
throughout its length.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply:
(a) Upon a one-way roadway;
(b) Under the conditions described in section 1001 (1) (b);
(c) To the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway
when such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with, impeding, or
endangering other traffic lawfully using the highway; or
(d) To the driver of a vehicle passing a bicyclist moving the same direction and in the
same lane when such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with, impeding, or
endangering other traffic lawfully using the highway.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1006. One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
(1) Upon a roadway restricted to one-way traffic, a vehicle shall be driven only in the
direction designated at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic control devices.
(2) A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of
such island.
(3) Local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may
designate any roadway, part of a roadway, or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall
proceed in one direction at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic control
devices. In the case of streets which are a part of the state highway system, the regulation shall
be subject to the approval of the department of transportation pursuant to section 43-2-135 (1)
(g), C.R.S.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1007. Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
(1) Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for
traffic, the following rules in addition to all others consistent with this section shall apply:
(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and
shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can
be made with safety.
(b) Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way
movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and
passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction where the roadway is clearly visible and
such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn, or where
such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to the traffic moving in the direction the
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vehicle is proceeding and is designated by official traffic control devices to give notice of such
allocation. Under no condition shall an attempt be made to pass upon the shoulder or any portion
of the roadway remaining to the right of the indicated right-hand traffic lane.
(c) Official traffic control devices may be erected directing specified traffic to use a
designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction
regardless of the center of the roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every
such device.
(d) Official traffic control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on
sections of roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device.
(2) (a) The department of transportation may designate with signage an area on a
roadway not otherwise laned for traffic for use by commercial vehicles, as defined in section
235(1)(a), that are designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, and
that are operated by a governmental entity or government-owned business that transports the
general public or by a contractor on behalf of such an entity or government-owned business. Use
of such an area is limited to vehicles authorized by the department operating under conditions of
use established by the department but, subject to the conditions of use, the driver of an
authorized vehicle has sole discretion to decide whether or not to drive on such an area based on
the driver’s assessment of the safety of doing so. The department shall consult with the
Colorado state patrol before granting authorization for the use of the area and establishing
conditions of use. The department shall impose and each authorized user shall acknowledge the
conditions for use by written agreement, and the department need not note the conditions of use
in roadway signage. An authorized user does not violate this section or section 1004 when
operating in accordance with the conditions of use for an area imposed by the department and
acknowledged by the user in a written agreement.
(b) The department of transportation shall work with local governmental agencies in
implementing the provisions of this subsection (2).
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1008. Following too closely.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is
reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and
the condition of the highway.
(2) The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when
traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district and which is following
another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit,
leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without
danger; except that this shall not prevent a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle
from overtaking and passing any like vehicle or other vehicle.
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(3) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence
district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as
to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable
any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply
to funeral processions.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1008.5. Crowding or threatening bicyclist.
(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, in a careless and imprudent manner, drive the
vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist.
(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits careless driving as
described in section 1402.
1009. Coasting prohibited.
(1) The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a downgrade shall not coast
with the gears or transmission of such vehicle in neutral.
(2) The driver of a truck or bus when traveling upon a downgrade shall not coast with the
clutch disengaged.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
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1010. Driving on divided or controlled-access highways.
(1) Whenever any highway has been divided into separate roadways by leaving an
intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as
to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway,
unless directed or permitted to use another roadway by official traffic control devices. No vehicle
shall be driven over, across, or within any such dividing space, barrier, or section, except through
an opening in such physical barrier or dividing section or space or at a crossover or intersection
as established, unless specifically prohibited by official signs and markings or by the provisions
of section 42-4-902, C.R.S. However, this subsection (1) does not prohibit a left turn across a
median island formed by standard pavement markings or other mountable or traversable devices
as prescribed in the state traffic control manual when such movement can be made in safety and
without interfering with, impeding, or endangering other traffic lawfully using the highway.
(2) (a) No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled-access roadway except
at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority.
(b) Wherever an acceleration lane has been provided in conjunction with a ramp entering
a controlled-access highway and the ramp intersection is not designated or signed as a stop or
yield intersection as provided in section 703 (1), drivers may use the acceleration lane to attain a
safe speed for merging with through traffic when conditions permit such acceleration with safety.
Traffic so merging shall be subject to the rule governing the changing of lanes as set forth in
section 1007 (1) (a).
(c) Wherever a deceleration lane has been provided in conjunction with a ramp leaving a
controlled-access highway, drivers shall use such lane to slow to a safe speed for making an exit
turn after leaving the mainstream of faster-moving traffic.
(3) Local authorities may by ordinance consistent with the provisions of section 43-2-135
(1) (g), C.R.S., with respect to any controlled-access highway under their respective
jurisdictions, prohibit the use of any such highway by any class or kind of traffic which is found
to be incompatible with the normal and safe movement of traffic. After adopting such
prohibitory regulations shall install official traffic control devices in conformity with the
standards established by sections 601 and 602 at entrance points or along the highway on which
such regulations are applicable. When such devices are so in place, giving notice thereof, no
person shall disobey the restrictions made known by such devices.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1011. Use of runaway vehicle ramps.
(1) No person shall use a runaway vehicle ramp unless such person is in an emergency
situation requiring use of the ramp to stop such person’s vehicle.
(2) No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle on a runaway vehicle ramp or in the
pathway of the ramp.
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(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1012. High occupancy vehicle (HOV) and high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
(1) Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their respective
jurisdictions, may designate exclusive or preferential lanes for vehicles that carry a specified
number of persons. The occupancy level of vehicles and the time of day when lane usage is
restricted to high occupancy vehicles, if applicable, shall be designated by official traffic control
devices.
(2) A motorcycle may be operated upon high occupancy vehicle lanes pursuant to
section 163 of Public Law 97-424 or upon high occupancy toll lanes, unless prohibited by
official traffic control devices.
(2.5) (a) (I) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (2.5), a
motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of twenty-six thousand pounds or less that is either an
inherently low-emission vehicle or a hybrid vehicle may be operated upon high occupancy
vehicle lanes without regard to the number of persons in the vehicle and without payment of a
special toll or fee. The exemption relating to hybrid vehicles shall apply only if such exemption
does not affect the receipt of federal funds and does not violate any federal laws or regulations.
(II) As used in this subsection (2.5), “inherently low-emission vehicle” or “ILEV” means:
(A) A light-duty vehicle or light-duty truck, regardless of whether such vehicle or truck is
part of a motor vehicle fleet, that has been certified by the federal environmental protection
agency as conforming to the ILEV guidelines, procedures, and standards as published in the
federal register at 58 FR 11888 (March 1, 1993) and 59 FR 50042 (September 30, 1994), as
amended from time to time; and
(B) A heavy-duty vehicle powered by an engine that has been certified as set forth in sub-
subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II).
(III) As used in this subsection (2.5), “hybrid vehicle” means a motor vehicle with a
hybrid propulsion system that uses an alternative fuel by operating on both an alternative fuel,
including electricity, and a traditional fuel.
(b) No person shall operate a vehicle upon a high occupancy vehicle lane pursuant to this
subsection (2.5) unless the vehicle:
(I) Meets all applicable federal emission standards set forth in 40 CFR sec. 88.311-93, as
amended from time to time, or, subject to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection
(2.5), is a hybrid vehicle; and
(II) Is identified by means of a circular sticker or decal at least four inches in diameter,
made of bright orange reflective material, and affixed either to the windshield, to the front of the
side view mirror on the driver’s side, or to the front bumper of the vehicle. Said sticker or decal
shall be approved by the Colorado department of transportation.
(c) Local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their respective
jurisdictions, shall provide information via official traffic control devices to indicate that ILEVs
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and, subject to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.5), hybrid vehicles may be
operated upon high occupancy vehicle lanes pursuant to this section. Such information may, but
need not, be added to existing printed signs, but as existing printed signs related to high
occupancy vehicle lane use are replaced or new ones are erected, such information shall be
added. In addition, whenever existing electronic signs are capable of being reprogrammed to
carry such information, they shall be so reprogrammed by September 1, 2003.
(d) (I) In consultation with the regional transportation district, the department of
transportation and local authorities, with respect to streets and highways under their respective
jurisdictions, shall, in connection with their periodic level-of-service evaluation of high
occupancy vehicle lanes, perform a level-of-service evaluation of the use of high occupancy
vehicle lanes by ILEVs and hybrid vehicles. If the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes by ILEVs
or hybrid vehicles is determined to cause a significant decrease in the level of service for other
bona fide users of such lanes, then the department of transportation or a local authority may
restrict or eliminate use of such lanes by ILEVs or hybrid vehicles.
(II) If the United States secretary of transportation makes a formal determination that, by
giving effect to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.5) on a particular highway or lane, the state of
Colorado would disqualify itself from receiving federal highway funds the state would otherwise
qualify to receive or would be required to refund federal transportation grant funds it has already
received, then said paragraph (a) shall not be effective as to such highway or lane.
(3) (a) Any person who uses a high occupancy vehicle lane in violation of restrictions
imposed by local authorities commits a class A traffic infraction.
(b) Any person convicted of a third or subsequent offense of paragraph (a) of this
subsection (3) committed within a twelve-month period shall be subject to an increased penalty
pursuant to section 1701 (4) (a) (I) (K).
1013. Passing lane - definitions - penalty.
(1) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed
limit is sixty-five miles per hour or more unless such person is passing other motor vehicles that
are in a non-passing lane or turning left, or unless the volume of traffic does not permit the motor
vehicle to safely merge into a non-passing lane.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Non-passing lane” means any lane that is to the right of the passing lane if there are
two or more adjacent lanes of traffic moving in the same direction in one roadway.
(b) “Passing lane” means the farthest to the left lane if there are two or more adjacent
lanes of traffic moving in the same direction in one roadway; except that, if such left lane is
restricted to high occupancy vehicle use or is designed for left turns only, the passing lane shall
be the lane immediately to the right of such high occupancy lane or left-turn lane.
(3) A person who violates this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
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PART 11
SPEED REGULATIONS
1101. Speed limits.
(1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and
prudent under the conditions then existing.
(2) Except when a special hazard exists that requires a lower speed, the following speeds
shall be lawful:
(a) Twenty miles per hour on narrow, winding mountain highways or on blind curves;
(b) Twenty-five miles per hour in any business district, as defined in section 42-1-
102(11), C.R.S.;
(c) Thirty miles per hour in any residence district, as defined in section 42-1-102(80),
C.R.S.;
(d) Forty miles per hour on open mountain highways;
(e) Forty-five miles per hour for all single rear axle vehicles in the business of
transporting trash that exceed twenty thousand pounds, where higher speeds are posted, when
said vehicle is loaded as an exempted vehicle pursuant to section 507 (3);
(f) Fifty-five miles per hour on other open highways which are not on the interstate
system, as defined in section 43-2-101 (2), C.R.S., and are not surfaced, four-lane freeways or
expressways;
(g) Sixty-five miles per hour on surfaced, four-lane highways which are on the interstate
system, as defined in section 43-2-101 (2), C.R.S., or are freeways or expressways;
(h) Any speed not in excess of a speed limit designated by an official traffic control
device.
(3) No driver of a vehicle shall fail to decrease the speed of such vehicle from an
otherwise lawful speed to a reasonable and prudent speed when a special hazard exists with
respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of subsection (8) of this section, any
speed in excess of the lawful speeds set forth in subsection (2) of this section shall be prima facie
evidence that such speed was not reasonable or prudent under the conditions then existing. As
used in this subsection (4), “prima facie evidence” means evidence which is sufficient proof that
the speed was not reasonable or prudent under the conditions then existing, and which will
remain sufficient proof of such fact, unless contradicted and overcome by evidence bearing upon
the question of whether or not the speed was reasonable and prudent under the conditions then
existing.
(5) In every charge of violating subsection (1) of this section, the complaint, summons
and complaint, or penalty assessment notice shall specify the speed at which the defendant is
alleged to have driven and also the alleged reasonable and prudent speed applicable at the
specified time and location of the alleged violation.
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(6) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to relieve the party alleging
negligence under this section in any civil action for damages from the burden of proving that
such negligence was the proximate cause of an accident.
(7) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of subsection (2) of this section, any city
or town may by ordinance adopt absolute speed limits as the maximum lawful speed limits in its
jurisdiction, and such speed limits shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this
section.
(8) (a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 578, § 2, effective May 25, 1996.)
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, no person shall drive a vehicle
on a highway at a speed in excess of a maximum lawful speed limit of seventy-five miles per
hour.
(c) The speed limit set forth in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8) is the maximum lawful
speed limit and is not subject to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.
(d) Local authorities within their respective jurisdictions shall not authorize any speed
limit which exceeds seventy-five miles per hour on any highway.
(e) The provisions of this subsection (8) are declared to be matters of both local and
statewide concern requiring uniform compliance throughout the state.
(f) In every charge of a violation of paragraph (b) of this subsection (8), the complaint,
summons and complaint, or penalty assessment notice shall specify the speed at which the
defendant is alleged to have driven and also the maximum lawful speed limit of seventy-five
miles per hour.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no person shall drive a low-
power scooter on a roadway at a speed in excess of forty miles per hour. Local authorities shall
not authorize low-power scooters to exceed forty miles per hour on a roadway.
(9) The conduct of a driver of a vehicle which would otherwise constitute a violation of
this section is justifiable and not unlawful when:
(a) It is necessary as an emergency measure to avoid an imminent public or private injury
which is about to occur by reason of a situation occasioned or developed through no conduct of
said driver and which is of sufficient gravity that, according to ordinary standards of intelligence
and morality, the desirability and urgency of avoiding the injury clearly outweigh the desirability
of avoiding the consequences sought to be prevented by this section; or
(b) With respect to authorized emergency vehicles, the applicable conditions for
exemption, as set forth in section 108, exist.
(10) The minimum requirement for commission of a traffic infraction or misdemeanor
traffic offense under this section is the performance by a driver of prohibited conduct, which
includes a voluntary act or the omission to perform an act which said driver is physically capable
of performing.
(11) It shall not be a defense to prosecution for a violation of this section that:
(a) The defendant’s conduct was not performed intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or
with criminal negligence; or
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(b) The defendant’s conduct was performed under a mistaken belief of fact, including,
but not limited to, a mistaken belief of the defendant regarding the speed of the defendant’s
vehicle; or
(c) The defendant’s vehicle has a greater operating or fuel-conserving efficiency at
speeds greater than the reasonable and prudent speed under the conditions then existing or at
speeds greater than the maximum lawful speed limit.
(12) (a) A violation of driving one to twenty-four miles per hour in excess of the
reasonable and prudent speed or in excess of the maximum lawful speed limit of seventy-five
miles per hour is a class A traffic infraction.
(b) A violation of driving twenty-five or more miles per hour in excess of the reasonable
and prudent speed or in excess of the maximum lawful speed limit of seventy-five miles per hour
is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; except that such violation within a maintenance, repair,
or construction zone, designated pursuant to section 614, is a class 1 misdemeanor traffic
offense.
(c) A violation under subsection (3) of this section is a class A traffic infraction.
1102. Altering of speed limits.
(1)(a) Whenever local authorities determine upon the basis of a traffic investigation or
survey or upon the basis of appropriate design standards and projected traffic volumes in the case
of newly constructed highways or segments thereof that any speed specified or established as
authorized under sections 1101 to 1104 is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the road
and traffic conditions at any intersection or other place or upon any part of a state highway under
its jurisdiction, said local authority shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit
thereat which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such
intersection or other place or upon the approaches thereto; except that no speed limit in excess of
seventy-five miles per hour shall be authorized by said local authority.
(b) Repealed.
(2) Whenever county or municipal authorities within their respective jurisdictions
determine upon the basis of a traffic investigation or survey, or upon the basis of appropriate
design standards and projected traffic volumes in the case of newly constructed highways or
segments thereof, that any speed specified or established as authorized under sections 1101 to
1104 is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the road and traffic conditions at any
intersection or other place or upon any part of a street or highway in its jurisdiction, said local
authority shall determine and declare a reasonable and safe speed limit thereat which shall be
effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such intersection or other
place or upon the approaches thereto. No such local authority shall have the power to alter the
basic rules set forth in section 1101 (1) or in any event to authorize by resolution or ordinance a
speed in excess of seventy-five miles per hour.
(3) Local municipal authorities within their respective jurisdictions shall determine upon
the basis of a traffic investigation or survey the proper speed for all arterial streets and shall
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declare a reasonable and safe speed limit thereon which may be greater or less than the speed
specified under section 1101 (2) (b) or (2) (c). Such speed limit shall not exceed seventy-five
miles per hour and shall become effective when appropriate signs are erected giving notice
thereof. For purposes of this subsection (3), an “arterial street” means any United States or state-
numbered route, controlled-access highway, or other major radial or circumferential street or
highway designated by local authorities within their respective jurisdictions as part of a major
arterial system of streets or highways.
(4) No alteration of speed limits on state highways within cities, cities and counties, and
incorporated towns is effective until it has been approved in writing by the department of
transportation. Upon the request of any incorporated city or town, the department of
transportation shall conduct any traffic investigation or survey that is deemed to be warranted for
determination of a safe and reasonable speed limit on any street or portion thereof that is a state
highway. In conducting such a traffic investigation, the department may receive and consider
traffic and engineering data provided by the city or county engineer of any requesting local
government that will be impacted by a proposed alteration of speed limits. Any speed limit so
determined by the department becomes effective when declared by the local authority and made
known by official signs conforming to the state traffic control manual.
(5) Whenever the local authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, determine upon
the basis of a traffic investigation or survey that a reduced speed limit is warranted in a school or
construction area or other place during certain hours or periods of the day when special or
temporary hazards exist, the department or the concerned local authority may erect or display
official signs of a type prescribed in the state traffic control manual giving notice of the
appropriate speed limit for such conditions and stating the time or period the regulation is
effective. When such signs are erected or displayed, the lawful speed limit at the particular time
and place shall be that which is then indicated upon such signs; except that no such speed limit
shall be less than twenty miles per hour on a state highway or other arterial street as defined in
subsection (3) of this section nor less than fifteen miles per hour on any other road or street, nor
shall any such reduced speed limit be made applicable at times when the special conditions for
which it is imposed cease to exist. Such reduced speed limits on streets which are state highways
shall be subject to the written approval of the department of transportation before becoming
effective.
(6) In its discretion, a municipality, by ordinance, or a county, by resolution of the board
of county commissioners, may impose and enforce stop sign regulations and speed limits, not
inconsistent with the provisions of sections 1101 to 1104, upon any way which is open to travel
by motor vehicles and which is privately maintained in mobile home parks, when appropriate
signs giving notice of such enforcement are erected at the entrances to such ways. Unless there is
an agreement to the contrary, the jurisdiction ordering the regulations shall be responsible for the
erection and maintenance of the signs.
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(7) Any powers granted in this section to county or municipal authorities may be
exercised by such authorities or by any municipal officer or employee who is designated by
ordinance to exercise such powers.
1103. Minimum speed regulation.
(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any highway at such a slow speed as to
impede or block the normal and reasonable forward movement of traffic, except when a reduced
speed is necessary for safe operation of such vehicle or in compliance with law.
(2) Whenever the department of transportation or local authorities within their respective
jurisdictions determine, on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation as described in
the state traffic control manual, that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede
the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, said department or such local authority may
determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle,
except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
(3) Notwithstanding any minimum speed that may be authorized and posted pursuant to
this section, if any person drives a motor vehicle on a highway outside an incorporated area or on
any controlled-access highway at a speed less than the normal and reasonable speed of traffic
under the conditions then and there existing and by so driving at such slower speed impedes or
retards the normal and reasonable movement of vehicular traffic following immediately behind,
then such driver shall:
(a) Where the width of the traveled way permits, drive in the right-hand lane available to
traffic or on the extreme right side of the roadway consistent with the provisions of section 1001
(2) until such impeded traffic has passed by; or
(b) Pull off the roadway at the first available place where such movement can safely and
lawfully be made until such impeded traffic has passed by.
(4) Wherever special uphill traffic lanes or roadside turnouts are provided and posted,
drivers of all vehicles proceeding at less than the normal and reasonable speed of traffic shall use
such lanes or turnouts to allow other vehicles to pass or maintain normal traffic flow.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1104. Speed limits on elevated structures.
(1) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure
constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can
be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when such structure is signposted as
provided in this section.
(2) The department of transportation upon request from any local authority shall, or upon
its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure
constituting a part of a highway, and, if it finds that such structure cannot with safety to itself
withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under sections 1101 to 1104, said
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department shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which such structure can
withstand and shall cause or permit suitable standard signs stating such maximum speed to be
erected and maintained before each end of such structure in conformity with the state traffic
control manual.
(3) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of said
determination of the maximum speed by said department and the existence of said signs shall
constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to
such bridge or structure.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1105. Speed contests - speed exhibitions - aiding and facilitating - immobilization of motor
vehicle - definitions.
(1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, it is unlawful for a
person to knowingly engage in a speed contest on a highway.
(b) For purposes of this section, “speed contest” means the operation of one or more
motor vehicles to conduct a race or a time trial, including but not limited to rapid acceleration,
exceeding reasonable and prudent speeds for highways and existing traffic conditions, vying for
position, or performing one or more lane changes in an attempt to gain advantage over one or
more of the other race participants.
(c) A person who violates any provision of this subsection (1) commits a class 1
misdemeanor traffic offense.
(2) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, it is unlawful for a
person to knowingly engage in a speed exhibition on a highway.
(b) For purposes of this section, “speed exhibition” means the operation of a motor
vehicle to present a display of speed or power. “Speed exhibition” includes, but is not limited to,
squealing the tires of a motor vehicle while it is stationary or in motion, rapid acceleration, rapid
swerving or weaving in and out of traffic, producing smoke from tire slippage, or leaving visible
tire acceleration marks on the surface of the highway or ground.
(c) A person who violates any provision of this subsection (2) commits a class 2
misdemeanor traffic offense.
(3) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, a person shall not,
for the purpose of facilitating or aiding or as an incident to any speed contest or speed exhibition
upon a highway, in any manner obstruct or place a barricade or obstruction, or assist or
participate in placing any such barricade or obstruction, upon a highway.
(b) A person who violates any provision of this subsection (3) commits, pursuant to
section 1703, the offense that the person aided in or facilitated the commission of. Nothing in
this subsection (3) shall be construed to preclude charging a person under section 1703 for
otherwise being a party to the crime of engaging in a speed contest or engaging in a speed
exhibition.
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(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the operation of a motor vehicle in an
organized competition according to accepted rules on a designated and duly authorized race
track, race course, or drag strip.
(5) (a) In addition to a sentence imposed pursuant to this section or pursuant to any other
provision of law:
(I) Upon the second conviction for an offense specified in subsection (1) or (2) of this
section, or any other crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court to
include an act of operating a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section,
the court may, in its discretion, order the primary law enforcement agency involved with the case
to place an immobilization device on the motor vehicle or motor vehicles so operated for a
period of up to fourteen days.
(II) Upon the third or subsequent conviction for an offense specified in subsection (1) or
(2) of this section, or any other crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by
the court to include an act of operating a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (1) or (2) of
this section, the court may, in its discretion, order the primary law enforcement agency involved
with the case to place an immobilization device on the motor vehicle or motor vehicles so
operated for a period of up to thirty days but more than fourteen days.
(b) The period during which a motor vehicle may be fitted with an immobilization device
pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (5) shall be in addition to any period during which
the motor vehicle was impounded prior to sentencing.
(c) An order issued under this subsection (5) shall state the requirements included in
subsections (7) and (8) of this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, “immobilization device” means a device locked into
place over a wheel of a motor vehicle that prevents the motor vehicle from being moved.
“Immobilization device” includes but is not limited to a device commonly referred to as a
“traffic boot” or “boot”.
(6) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (9) of this section, a law enforcement
agency that is ordered to place an immobilization device on a motor vehicle pursuant to
subsection (5) of this section shall attempt to locate the motor vehicle within its jurisdiction. The
law enforcement agency may, in its discretion, attempt to locate the motor vehicle outside of its
jurisdiction.
(b) Nothing in this subsection (6) shall be construed to:
(I) Prohibit a law enforcement agency from seeking the assistance of another law
enforcement agency for the purpose of placing an immobilization device on a motor vehicle or
removing the device in accordance with this section; or
(II) Require a law enforcement agency to expend excessive time or commit excessive
staff to the task of locating a motor vehicle subject to immobilization under this section.
(c) The time spent by a law enforcement agency in locating a motor vehicle in
accordance with this subsection (6) shall not alter the immobilization period ordered by the court
under subsection (5) of this section.
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(d) A law enforcement agency that places an immobilization device on a motor vehicle
pursuant to this section shall affix a notice to the immobilized motor vehicle stating the
information described in subsections (7) and (8) of this section.
(e) A peace officer who locates or attempts to locate a motor vehicle, or who places or
removes, or assists with the placement or removal of, an immobilization device in accordance
with the provisions of this section shall be immune from civil liability for damages, except for
damages arising from willful and wanton conduct.
(7) (a) The owner of a motor vehicle immobilized under this section shall be assessed a
fee of thirty-five dollars for each day the motor vehicle is ordered immobilized and, except as
otherwise provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (7), thirty-five dollars for each day up to
fourteen days after the immobilization period that the fee for the immobilization period is not
paid. The owner shall pay the fee to the law enforcement agency that places the immobilization
device on the motor vehicle.
(b) The owner, within fourteen days after the end of the immobilization period ordered by
the court, may obtain removal of the immobilization device by the law enforcement agency that
placed it by requesting the removal and paying the fee required under paragraph (a) of this
subsection (7).
(c) The failure of the owner of the immobilized motor vehicle to request removal of the
immobilization device and pay the fee within fourteen days after the end of the immobilization
period ordered by the court or within the additional time granted by the court pursuant to
paragraph (d) of this subsection (7), whichever is applicable, shall result in the motor vehicle
being deemed an “abandoned motor vehicle”, as defined in sections 1802 (1) (d) and 2102 (1)
(d), and subject to the provisions of part 18 or 21 of this Code, whichever is applicable. The law
enforcement agency entitled to payment of the fee under this subsection (7) shall be eligible to
recover the fee if the abandoned motor vehicle is sold, pursuant to section 1809 (2)(b.5) or 2108
(2) (a.5).
(d) Upon application of the owner of an immobilized motor vehicle, the court that
ordered the immobilization may, in its discretion, grant additional time to pay the immobilization
fee required under paragraph (a) of this subsection (7). If additional time is granted, the court
shall notify the law enforcement agency that placed the immobilization device.
(8) (a) A person may not remove an immobilization device that is placed on a motor
vehicle pursuant to this section during the immobilization period ordered by the court.
(b) No person may remove the immobilization device after the end of the immobilization
period except the law enforcement agency that placed the immobilization device and that has
been requested by the owner to remove the device and to which the owner has properly paid the
fee required by subsection (7) of this section. Nothing in this subsection (8) shall be construed to
prevent the removal of an immobilization device in order to comply with the provisions of part
18 or 21 of this Code.
(c) A person who violates any provision of this subsection (8) commits a class 2
misdemeanor traffic offense.
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(9) (a) A law enforcement agency that is ordered to place an immobilization device on a
motor vehicle pursuant to subsection (5) of this section shall inform the court at sentencing if it is
unable to comply with the court’s order either because the law enforcement agency is not yet
equipped with an immobilization device or because it does not have a sufficient number of
immobilization devices. The court, upon being so informed, shall, in lieu of ordering
immobilization, order the law enforcement agency to impound the motor vehicle for the same
time period that the court initially ordered the motor vehicle to be immobilized.
(b) If a motor vehicle is ordered to be impounded pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
subsection (9), the provisions of subsections (6) to (8) of this section shall not apply.
PART 12
PARKING
1201. Starting parked vehicle.
No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing, or parked unless and until such
movement can be made with reasonable safety. Any person who violates any provision of this
section commits a class A traffic infraction.
1202. Parking or abandonment of vehicles.
(1) No person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, either attended or
unattended, outside of a business or a residential district, upon the paved or improved and main-
traveled part of the highway. Nothing contained in this section shall apply to the driver of any
vehicle which is disabled while on the paved or improved and main-traveled portion of a
highway in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and
temporarily leaving such disabled vehicle in such position, subject, when applicable, to the
emergency lighting requirements set forth in section 230.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
1203. Ski areas to install signs
(1) Colorado ski areas shall install traffic control signs as provided in this section on both
sides of that segment of every highway which is within one mile of and which leads to the
recognized entrances to the ski area parking lots if it is found that:
(a) The ski area has insufficient parking capacity as evidenced by the practice of parking
by motor vehicles on such highways; and
(b) Such parking constitutes a hazard to traffic or an obstacle to snow removal or the
movement or passage of emergency equipment.
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(2) The findings required by subsection (1) of this section shall be made by the
department of transportation for the state highway system, by the chairman of the board of
county commissioners for county roads, and by the chief executive officer of a municipality for a
municipal street system. Such findings shall be based upon a traffic investigation.
(3) Such signs shall conform to any and all specifications of the department of
transportation adopted pursuant to section 42-4-601, C.R.S. All such signs shall contain a
statement that there is no parking allowed on a highway right-of-way so as to obstruct traffic or
highway maintenance and that offending vehicles will be towed away.
1204. Stopping, standing, or parking prohibited in specified places.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, no person shall stop,
stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in
compliance with the directions of a police officer or an official traffic control device, in any of
the following places:
(a) On a sidewalk;
(b) Within an intersection;
(c) On a crosswalk;
(d) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within thirty feet of points on the curb
immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the traffic authority indicates a different
length by signs or markings;
(e) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing,
or parking would obstruct traffic;
(f) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(g) Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway
tunnel;
(h) On any railroad tracks;
(i) On any controlled-access highway;
(j) In the area between roadways of a divided highway, including crossovers;
(k) At any other place where official signs prohibit stopping.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, in addition to the
restrictions specified in subsection (1) of this section, no person shall stand or park a vehicle,
except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of
a police officer or an official traffic control device, in any of the following places:
(a) Within five feet of a public or private driveway;
(b) Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant;
(c) Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
(d) Within thirty feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon or signal, stop sign, yield
sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway;
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(e) Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station or, on the side of a
street opposite the entrance to any fire station, within seventy-five feet of said entrance when
properly signposted;
(f) At any other place where official signs prohibit standing.
(3) In addition to the restrictions specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, no
person shall park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in
compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device, in any of the
following places:
(a) Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;
(b) At any other place where official signs prohibit parking.
(4) (a) Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit persons from
parking bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles on sidewalks in accordance with the provisions of
section 1412 (11) (a) and (11) (b).
(b) Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit persons from parking
two or more bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles abreast in accordance with the provisions of
section 1412 (11) (d).
(c) Paragraphs (a), (c), and (d) of subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to bicycles
or electrical assisted bicycles parked on sidewalks in accordance with section 1412 (11) (a) and
(11) (b).
(5) No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under such person’s control into any
such prohibited area or away from a curb such distance as is unlawful.
(6) This local authority, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, may place official
traffic control devices prohibiting, limiting, or restricting the stopping, standing, or parking of
vehicles on any highway where it is determined, upon the basis of a traffic investigation or study,
that such stopping, standing, or parking is dangerous to those using the highway or where the
stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles would unduly interfere with the free movement of
traffic thereon. No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in violation of the restrictions
indicated by such devices.
(7) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction; except that, if a person violates paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of this section and the
violation occurs in an unincorporated area of a county, the penalty is fifty dollars.
(8) A political subdivision may not adopt or enforce an ordinance or regulation that
prohibits the parking of more than one motorcycle within a space served by a single parking
meter.
1205. Parking at curb or edge of roadway.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a
two-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within
twelve inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand
shoulder.
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(2) Except as otherwise provided by local ordinance, every vehicle stopped or parked
upon a one-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked parallel to the curb or edge of the
roadway in the direction of authorized traffic movement, with its right-hand wheels within
twelve inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand
shoulder or with its left-hand wheels within twelve inches of the left-hand curb or as close as
practicable to the left edge of the left-hand shoulder.
(3) Local authorities may by ordinance permit angle parking on any roadway; except that
angle parking shall not be permitted on any state highway unless the department of transportation
has determined by resolution or order entered in its minutes that the roadway is of sufficient
width to permit angle parking without interfering with the free movement of traffic.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
1206. Unattended motor vehicle - definitions.
(1) A person driving or in charge of an unlocked motor vehicle shall not permit it to stand
unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the
ignition, and effectively setting the brake thereon. When the vehicle is standing upon any grade,
the person shall turn the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway in such a manner as to
prevent the vehicle from rolling onto the traveled way.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
(3) The use or operation of a remote starter system and adequate security measures is
sufficient to comply with subsection (1) of this section.
(4) As used in this section:
(a) "Adequate security measures" includes, but is not limited to:
(I) Using a vehicle that requires a key to put the vehicle into gear and move the vehicle;
(II) Keeping a keyless start fob out of proximity of the vehicle; or
(III) Employing steering wheel security devices.
(b) "Remote starter system" means a device installed in a motor vehicle that allows the
engine of the vehicle to be started by remote or radio control.
(5) Nothing in this section preempts or otherwise impairs the power of local authorities to
enforce or enact ordinances or resolutions concerning time limits on the idling of motor vehicles
on or before August 10, 2017.
1207. Opening and closing vehicle doors.
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic
unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the
movement of other traffic; nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle
available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload
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passengers. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
1208. Parking privileges for persons with disabilities – applicability - rules.
(1) Definitions. As used in this section:
(a) “Disability” or “disabled” has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-3-204,
C.R.S.
(b) “Holder” means a person with a disability who has lawfully obtained an identifying
plate or placard.
(c) “Identifying figure” has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-3-204, C.R.S.
(d) “Identifying placard” has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-3-204, C.R.S.
(e) “Identifying plate” has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-3-204, C.R.S.
(f) “Professional” has the same meaning as set forth in section 42-3-204, C.R.S.
(f.5) “Remuneration-exempt identifying placard” has the same meaning as set forth
in 42-3-204, C.R.S.(g) "Reserved parking" means a parking space reserved for a person
with a disability.
(2) Use of plate or placard.
(a) A person with a disability may use reserved parking on public property or private
property if the person displays an identifying plate or placard while using reserved parking.
(b) When an identifying placard is used for reserved parking, the driver of the parked
motor vehicle shall ensure that the front of the identifying placard is legible and visible through
the windshield when viewed from outside the vehicle. The driver shall hang the placard from the
rear-view mirror unless a rear-view mirror is not available or the individual is physically unable
to hang the placard from the rear-view mirror. If the tag is not hung from the rear-view mirror,
the driver shall display it on the dashboard.
(c) A person with a disability who is a resident of a state other than Colorado may use
reserved parking in Colorado if the motor vehicle displays an identifying plate or placard issued
by a state other than Colorado, and if:
(I) The identifying plate or placard is currently valid in the state of issuance and meets the
requirements of 23 CFR 1235; and
(II) The holder has not been a resident in Colorado for more than ninety days.
(d) A motor vehicle with an identifying plate or a placard may be parked in public
parking areas along public streets or in private parking lots regardless of any time limitation
imposed upon parking in the area; except that a jurisdiction may specifically limit reserved
parking on any public street to no less than four hours. To limit reserved parking, the jurisdiction
must clearly post the appropriate time limits in the area. The ability to park notwithstanding
parking limitations does not apply to areas in which:
(I) Stopping, standing, or parking of all vehicles is prohibited;
(II) Only special vehicles may be parked; or
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(III) Parking is not allowed during specific periods of the day in order to accommodate
heavy traffic.
(e) (I) The owner of public or private property may request the installation of official
signs or pavement markings identifying reserved parking spaces. The request operates as a
waiver of any objection the owner may assert concerning enforcement of this section by a peace
officer. An officer may enforce this section on private property notwithstanding any provision of
law to the contrary.
(II) (A) The number and placement of accessible parking spaces should meet or exceed
section 1106 of chapter 11 of the 2012 (second printing) version of the international building
code, or any succeeding standard, published by the international code council.
(B) The technical standards for accessible parking spaces should meet or exceed section
502, or any successor section, of the “Accessible and Useable Buildings and Facilities” standard,
or any succeeding standard, promulgated and amended from time to time by the international
code council (commonly cited as ICC/ANSI A117.1).
(C) Access aisles should post "Wheelchair Access Aisle Absolutely No Parking" sign,
which blocks neither the access aisle nor accessible routes.
(D) The technical standards for post- or wall-mounted signs indicating accessible parking
spaces and van-accessible parking spaces should meet or exceed section 2B.46 concerning
parking, standing, and stopping signs and section 2B.47 concerning design of parking, standing,
and stopping of the 2009 version of the manual on uniform traffic control devices, or any
succeeding standard, published by the United States federal highway administration.
(III) The owner of real property with multiple-family dwellings affixed and with reserved
parking shall retain the reserved parking as commonly owned for the tenants, owners, or visitors
of the individual units within the dwellings. This subparagraph (III) does not prohibit the sale of
all commonly owned property so long as the reserved parking is not severed from the other
elements.
(IV) A person shall not impose restrictions on the use of disabled parking unless
specifically authorized by a statute of Colorado and a resolution of or ordinance of a political
subdivision of Colorado and notice of the restriction is prominently posted by a sign clearly
visible at the parking space.
(3) Misuse of reserved parking.
(a) A person without a disability shall not park in a parking space on public or private
property that is clearly identified by an official sign or by visible pavement markings as being
reserved parking or as being a passenger loading zone unless:
(I) The person is parking the vehicle for the direct benefit of a person with a disability to
enter or exit the vehicle while it is parked in the reserved parking space; and
(II) An identifying plate or placard obtained under or authorized by section 42-3-204,
C.R.S., is displayed in or on the vehicle if the license plate or placard is currently valid or has
expired less than one month before the day the person used the reserved parking.
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(a.5) A person shall not, while parked in a parking space that requires remuneration,
display a remuneration-exempt identifying placard that is not issued to the person. A person who
possesses a remuneration-exempt identifying placard shall not allow another person to use the
placard to park in a parking space that requires remuneration.
(b) (I) A person, after using a reserved parking space that has a time limit, shall not
switch motor vehicles or move the motor vehicle to another reserved parking space within one
hundred yards of the original parking space within the same eight hours in order to exceed the
time limit.
(II) (A) Parking in a time-limited reserved parking space for more than three hours for at
least three days a week for at least two weeks creates a rebuttable presumption that the person is
violating this paragraph (b).
(B) This subparagraph (II) does not apply to privately owned parking spaces.
(c) A person shall not use reserved parking for a commercial purpose unless:
(I) The purpose relates to transacting business with a business the reserved parking is
intended to serve; or
(II) The owner of private property consents to allow the use.
(d) (I) An employee of an entity shall not use an identifying placard issued to the entity
unless the employee is transporting persons with disabilities.
(II) For a violation of this paragraph (d), the chief operations officer within Colorado of
the entity to whom the placard or plate was issued and the offending employee are each subject
to the penalties in section 42-4-1701(4)(a)(I)(M), C.R.S.
(III) (A) It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this paragraph (d) for the chief
operations officer within Colorado that the entity enforces an internal policy controlling access to
and use of identifying placards issued to the entity.
(B) If the placard used is expired by operation of section 42-3-204(6)(f), C.R.S., it is an
affirmative defense to a violation of this paragraph (d) that the person did not know the placard
was expired if the person who used the placard was the person to whom it was issued.
(e) (I) A person who violates subsection (3)(a) or (3)(a.5) of this section is subject to the
penalties in section 42-4-1701(4)(a)(VIII) and (IX), C.R.S.
(II) A person who violates paragraphs (b) to (d) of this subsection (3) is subject to the
penalties in section 42-4-1701(4)(a)(I)(M), C.R.S.
(4) Blocking access.
(a) Regardless of whether a person displays an identifying plate or placard, a person shall
not park a vehicle so as to block reasonable access to curb ramps, passenger loading zones, or
accessible routes, as identified in 28 CFR part 36 appendix A, that are clearly identified unless
the person is actively loading or unloading a person with a disability.
(b) A person who violates this subsection (4) is subject to the penalties in section 42-4-
1701(4)(a)(VIII), C.R.S.
(5) Fraud and trafficking. A person is subject to the penalties in section 42-4-
1701(4)(a)(X), C.R.S., if the person:
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(a) Knowingly and fraudulently obtains, possesses, uses, or transfers an identifying
placard issued to a person with a disability;
(b) Knowingly makes, possesses, uses, alters, or transfers what purports to be, but is not,
an identifying placard; or
(c) Knowingly creates or uses a device intended to give the impression that it is an
identifying placard when viewed from outside the vehicle.
(6) Enforcement of reserved parking.
(a) A peace officer or authorized and uniformed parking enforcement official may check
the identification of a person using an identifying plate or placard in order to determine whether
the use is authorized.
(b) (I) A peace officer or authorized and uniformed parking enforcement official may
confiscate an identifying placard that is being used in violation of this section.
(II) The peace officer or parking enforcement official shall send a confiscated placard to
the department unless it is being held as evidence for prosecution of a violation of this section. If
the tag is being held as evidence, the peace officer or parking enforcement official shall notify
the department of the confiscation and pending charges.
(III) The department shall hold a confiscated placard for thirty days and may dispose of
the placard after thirty days. The department shall release the placard to the person with a
disability to whom it was issued when the person signs a statement under penalty of perjury that
he or she was unaware that the violator used, or intended to use, the placard in violation of this
section.
(c) A peace officer and the department may investigate an allegation that a person is
violating this section.
(d) A person who observes a violation of this section may submit evidence, including a
sworn statement, concerning the violation to any law enforcement agency.
(e) (I) A peace officer may issue a penalty assessment notice for a violation of paragraph
(b), (c), or (d) of subsection (3) of this section by sending it by certified mail to the registered
owner of the motor vehicle. The peace officer shall include in the penalty assessment notice the
offense or infraction, the time and place where it occurred, and a statement that the payment of
the penalty assessment and a surcharge is due within twenty days after the issuance of the notice.
The department receives payment of the penalty assessment by the due date if the payment is
received or postmarked by the twentieth day after the vehicle owner received the penalty
assessment notice.
(II) If the penalty assessment and surcharge are not paid within twenty days after the date
the vehicle owner receives the assessment notice specified in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph
(e), the peace officer who issued the original penalty assessment notice shall file a complaint
with a court having jurisdiction and issue and serve upon the registered owner of the vehicle a
summons to appear in court at the time and place specified.
(f) (I) The entering court shall send certification of the entry of judgment for each
violation of paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of subsection (3) of this section to the department.
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(II) Upon receipt of certification of an entry of judgment for a violation of paragraph (b),
(c), or (d) of subsection (3) of this section, the department shall not register the person's vehicle
until all fines imposed for the violations have been paid.
(III) Upon receipt of certification or independent verification of an entry of judgment, the
department shall revoke an identifying plate or placard as provided in section 42-3-204(7)(d),
C.R.S.
(g) (I) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, a holder is
liable for any penalty or fine as set forth in this section or section 42-3-204, C.R.S., or for any
misuse of an identifying plate or placard, including the use of such plate or placard by any person
other than a holder, unless the holder furnishes sufficient evidence that the identifying plate or
placard was, at the time of the violation, in the care, custody, or control of another person
without the holder's knowledge or consent.
(II) A holder may avoid the liability described in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (g) if,
within a reasonable time after notification of the violation, the holder furnishes to the
prosecutorial division of the appropriate jurisdiction the name and address of the person who had
the care, custody, or control of the identifying plate or placard at the time of the violation or the
holder reports the license plate or placard lost or stolen to both the appropriate local law
enforcement agency and the department.
(h) An employer shall not forbid an employee from reporting violations of this section. A
person shall not initiate or administer any disciplinary action against an employee because the
employee notified the authorities of a possible violation of this section if the employee has a
good-faith belief that a violation has occurred.
(i) A landlord shall not retaliate against a tenant because the tenant notified the authorities
of a possible violation of this section if the tenant has a good-faith belief that a violation has
occurred.
(j) In order to stop a vehicle from blocking access or illegally using reserved parking, a
peace officer may order a vehicle that is used to violate this subsection (4) to be towed to an
impound lot or a vehicle storage location. The peace officer shall verify that the vehicle has not
been stolen and report the fact of the tow to the department of revenue in accordance with
section 42-4-1804, C.R.S.
(k) The local authority issuing a citation under this section, or under any local ordinance
defining a substantially equivalent offense, shall transfer one-half of the fine to the state
treasurer, who shall credit the fine to the disabled parking education and enforcement fund
created in section 42-1-226, C.R.S.
1209. Owner liability for parking violations.
In addition to any other liability provided for in this Code, the owner of a motor vehicle
who is engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles is liable for payment of a
parking violation fine unless the owner of the leased or rented motor vehicle can furnish
sufficient evidence that the vehicle was, at the time of the parking violation, in the care, custody,
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or control of another person. To avoid liability for payment the owner of the motor vehicle is
required, within a reasonable time after notification of the parking violation, to furnish to the
prosecutorial division of the appropriate jurisdiction the name and address of the person or
company who leased, rented, or otherwise had the care, custody, or control of such vehicle. As a
condition to avoid liability for payment of a parking violation, any person or company who
leases or rents motor vehicles to another person shall attach to the leasing or rental agreement a
notice stating that, pursuant to the requirements of this section, the operator of the vehicle is
liable for payment of a parking violation fine incurred when the operator has the care, custody, or
control of the motor vehicle. The notice shall inform the operator that the operator’s name and
address shall be furnished to the prosecutorial division of the appropriate jurisdiction when a
parking violation fine is incurred by the operator.
. Designated areas on private property for authorized vehicles.
(1) The owner or lessee of any private property available for public use in the
unincorporated areas of a county may request in writing that specified areas on such property be
designated by the board of county commissioners for use only by authorized vehicles and that
said areas, upon acceptance in writing by the board of county commissioners, shall be clearly
marked by the owner or lessee with official traffic control devices, as defined in section 42-1-
102(64), C.R.S. Such a request shall be a waiver of any objection the owner or lessee may assert
concerning enforcement of this section by peace officers of this state, and such officers are
hereby authorized and empowered to so enforce this section, provisions of law to the contrary
notwithstanding. When the owner or lessee gives written notice to the board of county
commissioners that said request is withdrawn, and the owner or lessee removes all traffic control
devices, the provisions of this section shall no longer be applicable.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to park any vehicle other than an authorized vehicle in
any area designated and marked for such use as provided in this section.
(3) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (2) of this section is guilty of a
class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five
dollars. The disposition of fines and forfeitures shall be paid into the treasury of the county at
such times and in such manner as may be prescribed by the board of county commissioners.
1211. Limitations on backing.
(1) (a) The driver of a vehicle, whether on public property or private property which is
used by the general public for parking purposes, shall not back the same unless such movement
can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic.
(b) The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same upon any shoulder or roadway of any
controlled-access highway.
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(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1212. Pay parking access for disabled.
(1) A person who owns, operates, or manages a parking space that requires remuneration
shall not tow, boot, or otherwise take adverse action against an individual or motor vehicle
parking in the space for failure to pay the remuneration if the motor vehicle bears a
remuneration-exempt identifying placard issued pursuant to section 42-3-204, C.R.S..
(2) Notwithstanding any statute, resolution, or ordinance of the state of Colorado, a
political subdivision of Colorado, or a governing board of a state institution of higher education,
parking in a space without paying the required remuneration is not a violation of the statute,
resolution, or ordinance if the conditions specified in subsection (1) of this section are met.
(3) A law or parking enforcement agency shall withdraw any penalty assessment notice
or summons and complaint that is deemed not to be a violation under subsection (2) of this
section within five business days after being shown proof that the individual cited has a valid
remuneration-exempt identifying placard.
1213. Parking in electric motor vehicle charging stations.
(1)(a) For the purposes of this section, “official sign” means a sign identifying a parking
space for electric motor vehicle charging that cites this section or the equivalent local ordinance
and that clearly displays the penalties for violating this section or the equivalent local ordinance.
(b) The owner of public or private property may install official signs that identify a
parking space as a dedicated charging station. The installation operates as a waiver of any
objection the owner may assert concerning enforcement of this section by a peace officer. A
peace officer may enforce this section on private property.
(2)(a) A person shall not park a motor vehicle within a parking space designated for
charging a plug-in electric motor vehicle unless the motor vehicle is a plug-in electric motor
vehicle.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a person shall not park a plug-in
electric motor vehicle in a parking space with a dedicated charging connector for the parking
space unless the person is parked in the charging station for the purpose of charging the plug-in
electric motor vehicle.
(c) A plug-in electric motor vehicle is rebuttably presumed to not be charging if the
motor vehicle is:
(I) Parked in a charging station parking space with a dedicated charging connector for the
space; and
(II) Not continuously and electrically connected to the charger for longer than thirty
minutes.
(3)(a) A person may park a plug-in electric motor vehicle at a charging after the motor
vehicle is fully charged in a parking lot:
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(I) That serves a lodging business if the person is a client of the lodging business and has
parked the plug-in electric motor vehicle in the lot to charge overnight;
(II) That serves an airport if the person is a client of the airport and has parked the plug-in
electric motor vehicle in the lot to charge when traveling; or
(III) Between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
(b) The exception in subsection (3)(a) of this section is an affirmative defense to a
violation of subsection (2) of this section.
(4) A person who violates this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
PART 13
ALCOHOL AND DRUG OFFENSES
(Removed)
PART 14
OTHER OFFENSES
1401. Reckless driving - penalty.
(1) A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or low-
power scooter in such a manner as to indicate either a wanton or a willful disregard for the safety
of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. A person convicted of reckless driving of a
bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall not be subject to the provisions of 42-2-127, C.R.S.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor
traffic offense. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, such person shall be punished by a fine
of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the
county jail for not less than ten days nor more than six months, or by both such fine and
imprisonment.
1402. Careless driving - penalty.
(1) A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or low-
power scooter in a careless and imprudent manner, without due regard for the width, grade,
curves, corners, traffic, and use of the streets and highways and all other attendant circumstances,
is guilty of careless driving. A person convicted of careless driving of a bicycle or electrical
assisted bicycle shall not be subject to the provisions of 42-2-127, C.R.S.
(2) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor
traffic offense, but, if the person’s actions are the proximate cause of bodily injury or death to
another, such person commits a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense.
1403. Following fire apparatus prohibited.
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The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire
apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet or drive into or park
such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. Any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
1404. Crossing fire hose.
No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a fire department used at any
fire, alarm of fire, or practice runs or laid down on any street, private driveway, or highway
without the consent of the fire department official in command. Any person who violates any
provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
1405. Riding in trailers.
No person shall occupy a trailer while it is being moved upon a public highway. Any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
1406. Foreign matter on highway prohibited.
(1) (a) No person shall throw or deposit upon or along any highway any glass bottle,
glass, stones, nails, tacks, wire, cans, container of human waste, or other substance likely to
injure any person, animal, or vehicle upon or along such highway.
(b) No person shall throw, drop, or otherwise expel a lighted cigarette, cigar, match, or
other burning material from a motor vehicle upon any highway.
(2) Any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any highway or
structure any destructive or injurious material or lighted or burning substance shall immediately
remove the same or cause it to be removed.
(3) Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a highway shall remove
any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from such vehicle.
(4) No person shall excavate a ditch or other aqueduct, or construct any flume or pipeline
or any steam, electric, or other railway, or construct any approach to a public highway without
written consent of the authority responsible for the maintenance of that highway.
(5) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (5), any person who violates
any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
(b) (I) Any person who violates any provision of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this
section commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501,
C.R.S.
(II) Any person who violates paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section by throwing
or depositing a container of human waste upon or along any highway shall be punished by a fine
of five hundred dollars in lieu of the penalty and surcharge prescribed in section 1701 (4) (a)(I)
(N).
(6) As used in this section:
(a) “Container” includes, but is not limited to, a bottle, a can, a box, or a diaper.
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(b) “Human waste” means urine or feces produced by a human.
1407. Spilling loads on highways prohibited - prevention of spilling of aggregate, trash, or
recyclables.
(1) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless such vehicle is
constructed or loaded or the load thereof securely covered to prevent any of its load from
blowing, dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping therefrom; except that material may be
dropped for the purpose of securing traction or water or other substance may be sprinkled on a
roadway in cleaning or maintaining such roadway.
(2) (Deleted by amendment, L. 99, p. 295, §1, effective July 1, 1999.)
(2.4) (a) A vehicle shall not be driven or moved on a highway if the vehicle is
transporting trash or recyclables unless at least one of the following conditions is met:
(I) The load is covered by a tarp or other cover in a manner that prevents the load from
blowing, dropping, shifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle;
(II) The vehicle utilizes other technology that prevents the load from blowing, dropping,
shifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle;
(III) The load is required to be secured under and complies with 49 CFR parts 392 and
393; or
(IV) The vehicle is loaded in such a manner or the load itself has physical characteristics
such that the contents will not escape from the vehicle. Such a load may include, but is not
limited to, heavy scrap metal or hydraulically compressed scrap recyclables.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.4) shall not apply to a motor vehicle in the process
of collecting trash or recyclables within a one mile radius of the motor vehicle’s last collection
point.
(2.5) (a) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway for a distance of more than
two miles if the vehicle is transporting aggregate material with a diameter of one inch or less
unless:
(I) The load is covered by a tarp or other cover in a manner that prevents the aggregate
material from blowing, dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle; or
(II) The vehicle utilizes other technology that prevents the aggregate material from
blowing, dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle.
(b) Nothing in this subsection (2.5) shall apply to a vehicle:
(I) Operating entirely within a marked construction zone;
(II) Involved in maintenance of public roads during snow or ice removal operations; or
(III) Involved in emergency operations when requested by a law enforcement agency or
an emergency response authority designated in or pursuant to section 29-22-102, C.R.S.
(2.7) For the purposes of this section:
(a) “Aggregate material” means any rock, clay, silts, gravel, limestone, dimension stone,
marble, and shale; except that “aggregate material” does not include hot asphalt, including
asphalt patching material, wet concrete, or other materials not susceptible to blowing.
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(b) “Recyclables” means material or objects that can be reused, reprocessed,
remanufactured, reclaimed, or recycled.
(c) “Trash” means material or objects that have been or are in the process of being
discarded or transported.
(3) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection (3), any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section while driving or moving a car
or pickup truck without causing bodily injury to another person commits a class A traffic
infraction.
(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section while driving or moving a car
or pickup truck and thereby proximately causes bodily injury to another person commits a class 2
misdemeanor traffic offense.
1407.5. Splash guards - when required.
(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Splash guards” means mud flaps, rubber, plastic or fabric aprons, or other devices
directly behind the rear-most wheels, designed to minimize the spray of water and other
substances to the rear.
(b) “Splash guards” must, at a minimum, be wide enough to cover the full tread of the tire
or tires being protected, hang perpendicular from the vehicle not more than ten inches above the
surface of the street or highway when the vehicle is empty, and generally maintain their
perpendicular relationship under normal driving conditions.
(2) Except as otherwise permitted in this section, no vehicle or motor vehicle shall be
driven or moved on any street or highway unless the vehicle or motor vehicle is equipped with
splash guards. However, vehicles and motor vehicles with splash guards that violate this section
shall be allowed to remain in service for the time necessary to continue to a place where the
deficient splash guards will be replaced. Such replacement shall occur at the first reasonable
opportunity.
(3) This section does not apply to:
(a) Passenger-carrying motor vehicles registered pursuant to section 42-3-306(2), C.R.S.;
(b) Trucks and truck tractors registered pursuant to section 42-3-306(4) or (5) C.R.S.,
having an empty weight of ten thousand pounds or less;
(c) Trailers equipped with fenders or utility pole trailers;
(d) Vehicles while involved in chip and seal or paving operations or road widening
equipment;
(e) Truck tractors or converter dollies when used in combination with other vehicles;
(f) Vehicles drawn by animals; or
(g) Bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles.
(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
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1408. Operation of motor vehicles on property under control of or owned by parks and
recreation districts.
(1) Any metropolitan recreation district, any park and recreation district organized
pursuant to Code 1 of title 32, C.R.S., or any recreation district organized pursuant to the
provisions of part 7 of Code 20 of title 30, C.R.S., referred to in this section as a “district”, shall
have the authority to designate areas on property owned or controlled by the district in which the
operation of motor vehicles shall be prohibited. Areas in which it shall be prohibited to operate
motor vehicles shall be clearly posted by a district.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in an area owned or under the
control of a district if the district has declared the operation of motor vehicles to be prohibited in
such area, as provided in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
1409. Compulsory insurance - penalty - legislative intent.
(1) No owner of a motor vehicle or low-power scooter required to be registered in this
state shall operate the vehicle or permit it to be operated on the public highways of this state
when the owner has failed to have a complying policy or certificate of self-insurance in full force
and effect as required by law.
(2) No person shall operate a motor vehicle or low-power scooter on the public highways
of this state without a complying policy or certificate of self-insurance in full force and effect as
required by law.
(3) (a) When an accident occurs, or when requested to do so following any lawful traffic
contact or during any traffic investigation by a peace officer, an owner or operator of a motor
vehicle or low-power scooter shall present to the requesting officer immediate evidence of a
complying policy or certificate of self-insurance in full force and effect as required by law.
(b) As used in this section, “evidence of a complying policy or certificate of self-
insurance in full force and effect” includes the presentation of such a policy or certificate upon a
cell phone or other electronic device.
(4) (a) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this
section commits a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. The minimum fine imposed by section
42-4-1701(3)(a)(II)(A), C.R.S., shall be mandatory, and the defendant shall be punished by a
minimum mandatory fine of not less than five hundred dollars. The court may suspend up to one
half of the fine upon a showing that appropriate insurance as required pursuant to section 10-4-
619 or 10-4-624, C.R.S., has been obtained. Nothing in this paragraph (a) shall be construed to
prevent the court from imposing a fine greater than the minimum mandatory fine.
(b) Upon a second or subsequent conviction under this section within a period of five
years following a prior conviction under this section, in addition to any imprisonment imposed
pursuant to section 42-4-1701(3)(a)(II)(A), C.R.S., the defendant shall be punished by a
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minimum mandatory fine of not less than one thousand dollars, and the court shall not suspend
such minimum fine. The court or the court collections’ investigator may establish a payment
schedule for a person convicted of the provisions of subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section, and
the provisions of section 16-11-101.6, C.R.S., shall apply. The court may suspend up to one half
of the fine upon a showing that appropriate insurance as required pursuant to section 10-4-619 or
10-4-624, C.R.S., has been obtained.
(c) In addition to the penalties prescribed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (4),
any person convicted pursuant to this section may, at the discretion of the court, be sentenced to
perform not less than forty hours of community service, subject to the provisions of section 18-
1.3-507, C.R.S.
(5) Testimony of the failure of any owner or operator of a motor vehicle or low-power
scooter to present immediate evidence of a complying policy or certificate of self-insurance in
full force and effect as required by law, when requested to do so by a peace officer, shall
constitute prima facie evidence, at a trial concerning a violation charged under subsection (1) or
(2) of this section, that such owner or operator of a motor vehicle violated subsection (1) or (2)
of this section.
(6) A person charged with violating subsection (1), (2), or (3) of this section shall not be
convicted if the person produces in court a bona fide complying policy or certificate of self-
insurance that was in full force and effect as required by law at the time of the alleged violation.
The court clerk’s office may dismiss the charge if it verifies that the person had a valid policy in
effect at the time of the alleged violation using the uninsured motorist identification database
created in section 42-7-602, C.R.S.
(7) Repealed.
(8) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2003, p. 2648, § 7, effective July 1, 2003.)
(8.5) If an operator of a motor vehicle or low-power scooter uses a cell phone or other
electronic device to present evidence of a complying policy or certificate of self-insurance in full
force and effect, as described in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section:
(a) The law enforcement officer to whom the operator presents the device shall not
explore the contents of the cell phone or other electronic device other than to examine the
operator's policy or certificate of self-insurance; and
(b) The law enforcement officer to whom the operator presents the device and any law
enforcement agency that employs the officer are immune from any civil damages resulting from
the officer dropping or otherwise unintentionally damaging the cell phone or other electronic
device.
(9) It is the intent of the general assembly that the money collected as fines imposed
pursuant subsections (4)(a) and (4)(b) of this section are to be used for the supervision of the
public highways. The general assembly determines that law enforcement agencies that patrol and
maintain the public safety on public highways are supervising the public highways. The general
assembly further determines that an authorized agent is supervising the public highways through
his or her enforcement of the requirements for demonstration of proof of motor vehicle insurance
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pursuant to section 42-3-105(1)(d), C.R.S. Therefore, of the money collected from fines pursuant
to subsections (4)(a) and (4)(b) of this section, fifty percent shall be transferred to the law
enforcement agency that issued the ticket for a violation of this section. The remaining fifty
percent of the money collected from fines for violations subsection (4)(a) or (4)(b) of this section
shall be transmitted to the authorized agent for the county in which the violation occurred.
1410.5 Providing false evidence of proof of motor vehicle insurance – penalty.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to offer, use, or attempt to offer or use any means, manner,
type of paper, document, card, digital image, or any other proof of motor vehicle liability
insurance required by state law to a law enforcement officer, judge, magistrate, prosecutor, or
employee of a court clerk’s office with the intent to mislead that official regarding the status or
any motor vehicle liability insurance policy in the course of an official investigation, or for
purposes of dismissing any charge under section 1409 or reducing any penalty imposed under
section 1409, where such means, manner, type, or kind of proof of insurance offered or used, or
that is attempted to be offered or used, is known or should be known by the person to be false,
fraudulent, or incorrect in any material manner or way, or which is known or should be known
by the person to be altered, forged, defaced, or changed in any material respect, unless such
changes are required or authorized by law.
(2) Violation of this section is a class B traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to five
hundred dollars.
(3) A person who is convicted of, who admits liability for, or against whom a judgment is
entered for a violation of this section shall be deemed, but only for purposes of section 18-1-408
C.R.S. to have been convicted of a criminal offense.
1411. Use of earphones while driving.
(1) (a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle while wearing earphones.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (1), “earphones” includes any headset, radio, tape
player, or other similar device which provides the listener with radio programs, music, or other
recorded information through a device attached to the head and which covers all of or a portion
of the ears. “Earphones” does not include speakers or other listening devices that are built into
protective headgear or a device or portion of a device that only covers all or a portion of one ear
and that is connected to a wireless, handheld telephone.
(2) Any person who violates this section commits a class B traffic infraction.
(3) Nothing in this section authorizes the holder of a commercial driver's license issued
pursuant to part 4 of article 2 of this title to act in violation of any federal law or regulation
relating to driving a commercial vehicle.
1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.
(1) Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall have all of the rights
and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this Code, except as to special
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regulations in this Code and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no
application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 221, and,
when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local
ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles and electrical assisted bicycles as provided in
section 111.
(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that nothing contained in House Bill No. 1246,
enacted at the second regular session of the fifty-sixth general assembly, shall in any way be
construed to modify or increase the duty of the department of transportation or any political
subdivision to sign or maintain highways or sidewalks or to affect or increase the liability of the
state of Colorado or any political subdivision under the “Colorado Governmental Immunity
Act”, Code 10 of title 24, C.R.S.
(3) No bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one
time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
(4) No person riding upon any bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall attach the same
or himself or herself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.
(5) (a) Any person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway at
less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane, subject to the following
conditions:
(I) If the right-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with
overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to
facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do
so.
(II) A bicyclist may use a lane other than the right-hand lane when:
(A) Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private roadway or driveway;
(B) Overtaking a slower vehicle; or
(C) Taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions.
(III) Upon approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a
dedicated right-turn lane, a bicyclist may ride on the left-hand portion of the dedicated right-turn
lane even if the bicyclist does not intend to turn right.
(b) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:
(I) Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to
fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface
hazards, or narrow lanes; or
(II) Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the right-hand side of the roadway.
(c) A person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a one-way roadway
with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such
roadway as judged safe by the bicyclist, subject to the following conditions:
(I) If the left-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with
overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the left as judged safe by the bicyclist to
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facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do
so.
(II) A bicyclist shall not be expected or required to:
(A) Ride over or through hazards at the edge of a roadway, including but not limited to
fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface
hazards, or narrow lanes; or
(B) Ride without a reasonable safety margin on the left-hand side of the roadway.
(6) (a) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon a roadway shall not
ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of
bicycles.
(b) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles two abreast shall not impede the
normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single
lane.
(7) A person operating a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall keep at least one hand
on the handlebars at all times.
(8) (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall
follow a course described in sections 901 (1), 903, and 1007 or may make a left turn in the
manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).
(b) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle intending to turn left shall
approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After
proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the
roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After
stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway
that the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control
device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the bicyclist intends to
proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (8), the
transportation commission and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause
official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a
specific course be traveled.
(9) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle
or electrical assisted bicycle shall signal the intention to turn or stop in accordance with section
903; except that a person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may signal a right turn
with the right arm extended horizontally.
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously
during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle
before turning and shall be given while the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is stopped
waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in
the control or operation of the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle.
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(10) (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk
or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any
pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A
person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.
(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a
sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles
or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.
A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any
crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.
(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a
sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights
and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to,
the rights and duties granted and required by section 802.
(d) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2005, p. 1353, § 1, effective July 1, 2005.)
(11) (a) A person may park a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk unless
prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.
(b) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the
normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.
(c) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the
curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.
(d) A bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another
such bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in
such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
(e) In all other respects, bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles parked anywhere on a
highway shall conform to the provisions of part 12 of this Code regulating the parking of
vehicles.
(12) (a) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2
misdemeanor traffic offense; except that 42-2-127, C.R.S., shall not apply.
(b) Any person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle who violates any provision
of this Code other than this section which is applicable to such a vehicle and for which a penalty
is specified shall be subject to the same specified penalty as any other vehicle; except that 42-2-
127, C.R.S., shall not apply.
(13) Upon request, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall complete a
report concerning an injury or death incident that involves a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle
on the roadways of the state, even if such accident does not involve a motor vehicle.
(14) (a) (I) A person may ride a class 1 or class 2 electrical assisted bicycle on a bike or
pedestrian path where bicycles are authorized to travel.
(II) A local authority may prohibit the operation of a class 1 or class 2 electrical assisted
bicycle on a bike or a pedestrian path under its jurisdiction.
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(b) A person shall not ride a class 3 electrical assisted bicycle on a bike or pedestrian path
unless:
(I) The path is within a street or highway; or
(II) The local authority permits the operation of a class 3 electrical assisted bicycle on a
path under its jurisdiction.
(15) (a) A person under sixteen years of age shall not ride a class 3 electrical assisted
bicycle upon any street, highway, or bike or pedestrian path; except that a person under sixteen
years of age may ride as a passenger on a class 3 electrical assisted bicycle that is designed to
accommodate passengers.
(b) A person shall not operate or ride as a passenger on a class 3 electrical assisted
bicycle unless:
(I) Each person under eighteen years of age is wearing a protective helmet of a type and
design manufactured for use by operators of bicycles;
(II) The protective helmet conforms to the design and specifications set forth by the
United States consumer product safety commission or the American Society for Testing and
Materials; and
(III) The protective helmet is secured properly on the person’s head with a chin strap
while the class 3 electrical assisted bicycle is in motion.
(c) A violation of subsection (15)(b) of this section does not constitute negligence or
negligence per se in the context of any civil personal injury claim or lawsuit seeking damages.
1413. Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer.
Any operator of a motor vehicle who the officer has reasonable grounds to believe has
violated a state law or municipal ordinance, who has received a visual or audible signal such as a
red light or a siren from a police officer driving a marked vehicle showing the same to be an
official police, sheriff, or Colorado state patrol car directing the operator to bring the operator’s
vehicle to a stop, and who willfully increases his or her speed or extinguishes his or her lights in
an attempt to elude such police officer, or willfully attempts in any other manner to elude the
police officer, or does elude such police officer commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
1414. Use of dyed fuel on highways prohibited.
(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any highway of the state using diesel
fuel dyed to show that no taxes have been collected on the fuel.
(2) (a) Any person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction.
(b) Any person who commits a second violation of subsection (1) of this section within a
twelve-month period shall be subject to an increased penalty pursuant to section 42-4-
1701(4)(a)(I)(N), C.R.S.
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(c) Any person who commits a third or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this
section within a twelve-month period shall be subject to an increased penalty pursuant to section
42-4- 1701(4)(a)(I)(N), C.R.S.
(3) Any person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to audit by the
department regarding payment of motor fuel tax.
1415. Radar jamming devices prohibited - penalty.
(1) (a) No person shall use, possess, or sell a radar jamming device.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle with a radar jamming device in the motor
vehicle.
(2) (a) For purposes of this section, “radar jamming device” means any active or passive
device, instrument, mechanism, or equipment that is designed or intended to interfere with,
disrupt, or scramble the radar or laser that is used by law enforcement agencies and peace
officers to measure the speed of motor vehicles. “Radar jamming device” includes but is not
limited to devices commonly referred to as “jammers” or “scramblers”.
(b) For purposes of this section, “radar jamming device” shall not include equipment that
is legal under FCC regulations, such as a citizens’ band radio, ham radio, or any other similar
electronic equipment.
(3) Radar jamming devices are subject to seizure by any peace officer and may be
confiscated and destroyed by order of the court in which a violation of this section is charged.
(4) A violation of subsection (1) of this section is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense,
punishable as provided in section 42-4-1701(3)(a)(II)(A), C.R.S.
(5) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to peace officers acting
in their official capacity.
1416.Failure to present a valid transit pass or coupon - fare inspector authorization –
definitions.
(1) A person commits failure to present a valid transit pass or coupon if the person
occupies, rides in, or uses a public transportation vehicle without paying the applicable fare or
providing a valid transit pass or coupon.
(2) A person shall not occupy, ride in, or use a public transportation vehicle without
possession of proof of prior fare payment. A person shall present proof of prior fare payment
upon demand of a fare inspector appointed or employed pursuant to subsection (4) of this
section, a peace officer, or any other employee or agent of a public transportation entity.
(3) A violation of this section is a class B traffic infraction and is punishable by a fine of
seventy-five dollars. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, fines for a violation of
subsection (1) of this section shall be retained by the clerk of the court in the city and county of
Denver upon receipt by the clerk for a violation occurring within that jurisdiction, or transmitted
to the state judicial department if the fine is receipted by the clerk of the court of any other
county.
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(4) (a) Public transportation entities may appoint or employ, with the power of removal,
fare inspectors as necessary to enforce the provisions of this section. The employing public
transportation entity shall determine the requirements for employment as a fare inspector.
(b) A fare inspector appointed or employed pursuant to this section is authorized to
enforce the provisions of this section while acting within the scope of his or her authority and in
the performance of his or her duties. A fare inspector is authorized to issue a citation to a person
who commits failure to provide a valid transit pass or coupon in violation of this section. The
fare inspector shall issue a citation on behalf of the county in which the person occupying, riding
in, or using a public transportation vehicle without paying the applicable fare is located at the
time the violation is discovered. The public transportation entity whose fare inspector issued the
citation shall timely deliver the citation to the clerk of the county court for the jurisdiction in
which the accused person is located at the time the violation is discovered.
(5) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Proof of prior fare payment" means:
(I) A transit pass valid for the day and time of use;
(II) A receipt showing payment of the applicable fare for use of a public transportation
vehicle during the day and time specified in the receipt; or
(III) A prepaid ticket or series of tickets showing cancellation by a public transportation
entity used within the day and time specified in the ticket.
(b) "Public transportation entity" means a mass transit district, a mass transit authority, or
any other public entity authorized under the laws of this state to provide mass transportation
services to the general public.
(c) "Public transportation vehicle" means a bus, a train, a light rail vehicle, or any other
mode of transportation used by a public transportation entity to provide transportation services to
the general public.
(d) "Transit pass" means any pass, coupon, transfer, card, identification, token, ticket, or
other document, whether issued by a public transportation entity or issued by an employer to
employees pursuant to an agreement with a public transportation entity, used to obtain public
transit.
PART 15
MOTORCYCLES
1501. Traffic laws apply to persons operating motorcycles - special permits.
(1) Every person operating a motorcycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be
subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this Code, except as
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to special regulations in this Code and except as to those provisions of this Code which by their
nature can have no application.
(2) For the purposes of a prearranged organized special event and upon a showing that
safety will be reasonably maintained, the department of transportation may grant a special permit
exempting the operation of a motorcycle from any requirement of this part 15.
1502. Riding on motorcycles – protective helmet.
(1) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat
attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person
ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which
event a passenger may ride upon the permanent seat if designed for two persons or upon another
seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.
(2) A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing
forward, with one leg on either side of the motorcycle.
(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying packages, bundles, or other
articles which prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
(4) No operator shall carry any person nor shall any person ride in a position that will
interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator.
(4.5) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (4.5), a person shall not
operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or low-power scooter on a roadway unless:
(I) Each person under eighteen years of age is wearing a protective helmet of a type and
design manufactured for use by operators of motorcycles;
(II) The protective helmet conforms to the design and specifications set forth in
paragraph (b) of this subsection (4.5); and
(III) The protective helmet is secured properly on the person’s head with a chin strap
while the motorcycle is in motion.
(b) A protective helmet required to be worn by this subsection (4.5) shall:
(I) Be designed to reduce injuries to the user resulting from head impacts and to protect
the user by remaining on the user’s head, deflecting blows, resisting penetration, and spreading
the force of impact;
(II) Consist of lining, padding, and chin strap; and
(III) Meet or exceed the standards established in the United States department of
transportation federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 218, 49 CFR 571.218, for motorcycle
helmets.
(c) A person driving or riding a motorcycle need not wear a helmet if the motorcycle has:
(I) Three wheels;
(II) A maximum design speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less;
(III) A windshield; and
(IV) Seat belts.
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(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1503. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic.
(1) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a traffic lane, and no motor vehicle shall be
driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a traffic lane. This
subsection (1) shall not apply to motorcycles operated two abreast in a single lane.
(2) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake or pass in the same lane occupied by
the vehicle being overtaken.
(3) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent
lines or rows of vehicles.
(4) Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
(5) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the
performance of their official duties.
(6) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
1504. Clinging to other vehicles.
No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach himself, herself, or the motorcycle to any
other vehicle on a roadway. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a
class A traffic infraction.
PART 16
ACCIDENTS AND ACCIDENT REPORTS
(Removed)
PART 17
PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE
Preface.
(1) Municipalities that have adopted the Code need to be aware of: sections 13-10-101,
C.R.S., et. seq., section 42-4-110 (2), C.R.S., and the Colorado Municipal Court Rules
(C.M.C.R.).
(2) Counties that have adopted the Code need to be aware of: part 5 of Code 6 of title 13,
C.R.S., section 16-2-201, C.R.S., sections 30-15-401 (1)(h), 30-15-402, 30-15-407, C.R.S.,
section 42-4-1701, C.R.S., Colorado Rules for Magistrates - Rule 7, and Colorado Rules of
Criminal Procedure - Rule 4.1.
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(3) Counties additionally need to be aware of section 30-15-401 (1)(h), C.R.S., which
reads in part, emphasis added:
“To control and regulate the movement and parking of vehicles and motor
vehicles on public property; except that misdemeanor traffic offenses and the
posted speed limit on any state highway located within the county shall be
deemed a matter of statewide interest.”.
Pursuant to section 30-15-402, C.R.S., which reads in part, emphasis added:
(1) “Any person who violates any county ordinance adopted pursuant to
this part 4 ... in the case of traffic offenses, commits a traffic infraction, and,
upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one
thousand dollars for each separate violation. If authorized by the county
ordinance, the penalty assessment procedure provided in section 16-2-201,
C.R.S., may be followed by any arresting law enforcement officer for any such
violation. As part of said county ordinance authorizing the penalty assessment
procedure, the board of county commissioners may adopt a graduated fine
schedule for such violations. Such graduated fine schedule may provide for
increased penalty assessments for repeat offenses by the same individual. In the
case of county traffic ordinance violations, the provisions of sections 42-4-
1701 and 42-4-1703, C.R.S., and sections 42-4-1708 to 42-4-1718, C.R.S., shall
apply; except that the fine or penalty for a violation charged and the surcharge
thereon if authorized by county ordinance shall be paid to the county.
(2) In addition to the penalties prescribed in subsection (1) of this section,
persons convicted of a violation of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this part 4
are subject to:
(a) A surcharge of ten dollars that shall be paid to the clerk of the court by
the defendant. Each clerk shall transmit the moneys to the court administrator of
the judicial district in which the offense occurred for credit to the victims and
witnesses assistance and law enforcement fund established in that judicial district
pursuant to section 24-4.2-103, C.R.S.”.
1701. Traffic offenses and infractions classified - penalties - penalty and surcharge schedule
- repeal.
(1) It is a traffic infraction for any person to violate any of the provisions of articles 1 to 3
of title 42, Colorado Revised Statutes, and parts 1 to 3 and 5 to 19 of this Code unless such
violation is, by articles 1 to 3 of title 42, Colorado Revised Statues, and parts 1 to 3 and 5 to 19
of this Code or by any other law of this state, declared to be a felony, misdemeanor, petty
offense, or misdemeanor traffic offense. Such a traffic infraction shall constitute a civil matter.
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(2) (a) For the purposes of this part 17, “judge” shall include any county court magistrate
who hears traffic infraction matters, but no person charged with a traffic violation other than a
traffic infraction or class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense shall be taken before a county court
magistrate.
(b) For the purposes of this part 17, "magistrate" shall include any county court judge who is
acting as a county court magistrate in traffic infraction and class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense
matters.
(3) (a) (I) Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5) of this section or the section creating the
infraction, traffic infractions are divided into two classes which shall be subject to the following
penalties which are authorized upon entry of judgment against the defendant:
Class Minimum Maximum
Penalty Penalty
A $15 penalty $100 penalty
B $15 penalty $100 penalty
(II) (A) Except as otherwise provided in sub-subparagraph (B) of this subparagraph (II),
subsections (4) and (5) of this section, and sections 42-4-1301.3, 42-4-1301.4 and 42-4-1307,
C.R.S., or the section creating the offense, misdemeanor traffic offenses are divided into two
classes that are distinguished from one another by the following penalties that are authorized
upon conviction:
Class Minimum Maximum
Sentence Sentence
1 Ten days imprisonment, One year imprisonment,
or $300 fine, or both or $1,000 fine, or both
2 Ten days imprisonment, Ninety days imprisonment,
or $150 fine, or both or $300 fine, or both
(B) Any person convicted of a class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense shall be required to
pay restitution as required by article 18.5 of title 16, C.R.S., and may be sentenced to perform a
certain number of hours of community or useful public service in addition to any other sentence
provided by sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II), subject to the conditions and
restrictions of section 18-1.3-507, C.R.S.
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(b) Any traffic infraction or misdemeanor traffic offense defined by law outside of articles 1 to 4
of this title shall be punishable as provided in the statute defining it or as otherwise provided by
law.
(c) The department has no authority to assess any points under section 42-2-127, C.R.S., upon
entry of judgment for any class B traffic infractions.
(4) (a) (I) Except as provided in subsection (5)(c) of this section, every person who is convicted
of, who admits liability for, or against whom a judgment is entered for a violation of any
provision of this title 42 to which subsection (5)(a) or (5)(b) of this section applies shall be fined
or penalized, and have a surcharge levied thereon pursuant to sections 24-4.1-119 (1) (f) and 24-
4.2-104 (1) (b) (I), C.R.S., in accordance with the penalty and surcharge schedule set forth in
subsections (4)(a)(I)(A) to (4)(a)(I)(P) of this section; or, if no penalty or surcharge is specified
in the schedule, the penalty for class A and class B traffic infractions shall be fifteen dollars, and
the surcharge shall be four dollars. These penalties and surcharges shall apply whether the
defendant acknowledges the defendant's guilt or liability in accordance with the procedure set
forth by subsection (5)(a) this section, is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, or has
judgment entered against the defendant by a county court magistrate. Penalties and surcharges
for violating specific sections shall be as follows:
Section Violated Penalty Surcharge
(A) Drivers' license violations:
42-2-101 (1) or (4) $ 35.00 $ 10.00
42-2-101 (2), (3), or (5) 15.00 6.00
42-2-103 15.00 6.00
42-2-105 70.00 10.00
42-2-105.5 (4) 65.00 10.00
42-2-106 70.00 10.00
42-2-116 (6) (a) 30.00 6.00
42-2-119 15.00 6.00
42-2-134 35.00 10.00
42-2-136 35.00 10.00
42-2-139 35.00 10.00
42-2-140 35.00 10.00
42-2-141 35.00 10.00
(B) Registration and taxation violations:
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42-3-103 $ 50.00 $ 16.00
42-3-113 15.00 6.00
42-3-202 15.00 6.00
42-3-116 50.00 16.00
42-3-121 (1)(a) 75.00 24.00
42-3-121 (1)(c) 35.00 10.00
42-3-121 (1)(f), (1)(g), and (1)(h) 75.00 24.00
42-3-304 to 306 50.00 16.00
(C) Traffic regulation generally:
Sec.1 1412 $ 15.00 $ 6.00
Sec. 109 (13)(a) 15.00 6.00
Sec. 109 (13)(b) 100.00 15.00
Sec. 1211 30.00 6.00
Sec. 1405 15.00 6.00
(D) Equipment violations:
Sec. 201 $ 35.00 $ 10.00
Sec. 202 35.00 10.00
Sec. 204 15.00 6.00
Sec. 205 15.00 6.00
Sec. 206 15.00 6.00
Sec. 207 15.00 6.00
Sec. 208 15.00 6.00
Sec. 209 15.00 6.00
Sec. 210 15.00 6.00
Sec. 211 15.00 6.00
Sec. 212 15.00 6.00
Sec. 213 15.00 6.00
Sec. 214 15.00 6.00
Sec. 215 15.00 6.00
Sec. 216 15.00 6.00
Sec. 217 15.00 6.00
Sec. 218 15.00 6.00
Sec. 219 15.00 6.00
1 NOTE: “Sec.” refers to the corresponding section of this Model Traffic Code.
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Sec. 220 15.00 6.00
Sec. 221 15.00 6.00
Sec. 222 (1) 15.00 6.00
Sec. 223 15.00 6.00
Sec. 224 15.00 6.00
Sec. 225 (1) 15.00 6.00
Sec. 226 15.00 6.00
Sec. 227 (1) 50.00 16.00
Sec. 227 (2) 15.00 6.00
Sec. 228 (1), (2), (3), (5), or (6) 15.00 6.00
Sec. 229 15.00 6.00
Sec. 230 15.00 6.00
Sec. 231 15.00 6.00
Sec. 232 15.00 6.00
Sec. 233 75.00 24.00
Sec. 234 15.00 6.00
Sec. 235 50.00 16.00
Sec. 236 65.00 16.00
Sec. 237 65.00 6.00
Sec. 1411 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1412 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1901 35.00 10.00
(E) Emissions inspections:
Sec. 313 (3)(c) $ 50.00 $ 16.00
Sec. 313 (3)(d) 15.00 6.00
(F) Size, weight, and load violations:
Sec. 106 (1), (3), (4), (6), or (7) 35.00 10.00
Sec. 106 (5)(a)(I) 100.00 32.00
Sec. 106 (5)(a)(II) 500.00 156.00
Sec. 106 (5)(a)(III) 500.00 78.00
Sec. 106 (5)(a)(IV) 1,000.00 156.00
Sec. 105 (1) to (5) 50.00 16.00
Sec. 106 50.00 16.00
Sec. 502 $ 75.00 $ 24.00
Sec. 503 15.00 6.00
Sec. 504 75.00 24.00
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Sec. 505 75.00 24.00
Sec. 506 15.00 6.00
Sec. 509 50.00 16.00
Sec. 510 (12)(a) 35.00 10.00
Sec. 512 75.00 24.00
(G) Signals, signs, and markings violations:
Sec. 603 $ 100.00 $ 10.00
Sec. 604 100.00 10.00
Sec. 605 70.00 10.00
Sec. 606 15.00 6.00
Sec. 607 (1) 50.00 16.00
Sec. 607 (2)(a) 100.00 32.00
Sec. 608 (1) 70.00 6.00
Sec. 608 (2) 15.00 6.00
Sec. 609 15.00 6.00
Sec. 610 15.00 6.00
Sec. 612 70.00 10.00
Sec. 613 35.00 10.00
(H) Rights-of-way violations:
Sec. 701 $ 70.00 $ 10.00
Sec. 702 70.00 10.00
Sec. 703 70.00 10.00
Sec. 704 70.00 10.00
Sec. 705 70.00 16.00
Sec. 706 70.00 10.00
Sec. 707 70.00 10.00
Sec. 708 35.00 10.00
Sec. 709 70.00 10.00
Sec. 710 70.00 10.00
Sec. 711 100.00 10.00
Sec. 712 70.00 10.00
(I) Pedestrian violations:
Sec. 801 $ 15.00 $ 6.00
Sec. 802 (1) 30.00 6.00
Sec. 802 (3) 15.00 6.00
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Sec. 802 (4) 30.00 6.00
Sec. 802 (5) 30.00 6.00
Sec. 803 15.00 6.00
Sec. 805 15.00 6.00
Sec. 806 70.00 10.00
Sec. 807 70.00 10.00
Sec. 808 70.00 10.00
(J) Turning and stopping violations:
Sec. 901 $ 70.00 $ 10.00
Sec. 902 70.00 10.00
Sec. 903 70.00 10.00
(K) Driving, overtaking, and passing violations:
Sec. 1001 $ 70.00 $ 10.00
Sec. 1002 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1003 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1004 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1005 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1006 70.00 10.00
Sec. 1007 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1008 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1009 70.00 10.00
Sec. 1010 70.00 10.00
Sec. 1011 200.00 32.00
Sec. 1012 (3)(a) 65.00 (NONE)
Sec. 1012 (3)(b) 125.00 (NONE)
Sec. 1013 100.00 (NONE)
(L) Speeding violations:
Sec. 1101 (1) or (8) (b) (1 to 4 miles
per hour over the reasonable and
prudent speed or over the maximum
lawful speed limit of 75 miles
per hour) $ 30.00 $ 6.00
Sec. 1101 (1) or (8) (b) (5 to 9 miles
139
per hour over the reasonable and
prudent speed or over the maximum
lawful speed limit of 75 miles
per hour) 70.00 10.00
Sec. 1101 (1) or (8) (b) (10 to 19 miles
per hour over the reasonable and
prudent speed or over the maximum
lawful speed limit of 75 miles
per hour) 135.00 16.00
Sec. 1101 (1) or (8) (b) (20 to 24 miles
per hour over the reasonable and
prudent speed or over the maximum
lawful speed limit of 75 miles
per hour) 200.00 32.00
Sec. 1101 (8) (g) (1 to 4 miles per
hour over the maximum lawful
speed limit of 40 miles per hour
driving a low-power scooter) 50.00 6.00
Sec. 1101 (8) (g) (5 to 9 miles per
hour over the maximum lawful
speed limit of 40 miles per hour
driving a low-power scooter) 75.00 10.00
Sec. 1101 (8) (g) (greater than 9
miles per hour over the maximum
lawful speed limit of 40 miles per
hour driving a low-power scooter) 100.00 16.00
Sec. 1101 (3) 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1103 50.00 6.00
Sec. 1104 30.00 6.00
(M) Parking violations:
Sec. 1201 30.00 6.00
Sec. 1202 30.00 6.00
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Sec. 1204 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1205 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1206 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1207 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1208
(9), (15), or (16) 150.00 32.00
Sec. 1213 150.00 32.00
(N) Other offenses:
Sec. 1301 (2)(d) $ 100.00 $ 16.00
Sec. 1305 50.00 16.00
Sec. 1305.5 (2) 50.00 7.80
Sec. 1402 150.00 16.00
Sec. 1403 30.00 6.00
Sec. 1404 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1406 35.00 10.00
Sec. 1407 (3)(a) 35.00 10.00
Sec. 1407 (3)(b) 100.00 30.00
Sec. 1407 (3)(c) 500.00 200.00
Sec. 314 (1) and (2) 35.00 10.00
Sec. 314 (6)(a) 100.00 10.00
Sec. 1408 15.00 6.00
Sec. 1414 (2)(a) 500.00 156.00
Sec. 1414 (2)(b) 1,000.00 312.00
Sec. 1414 (2)(c) 5,000.00 1,560.00
Sec. 1416 (3) 75.00 4.00
42-20-109 (2) 250.00 66.00
(O) Motorcycle violations:
Sec. 1502 (1), (2), (3), or (4) $ 30.00 $ 6.00
Sec. 1502 (4.5) 100.00 15.00
Sec. 1503 30.00 6.00
Sec. 1504 30.00 6.00
(P) Offenses by persons controlling vehicles:
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Sec. 239 (5)(a) $ 50.00 $ 6.00
Sec. 239 (5)(b) 100.00 6.00
Sec. 239 (5.5) 300.00 6.00
Sec. 1704 15.00 6.00
(II) (A) A person convicted of violating section 507 or 508 shall be fined pursuant to this sub-
subparagraph (A), whether the defendant acknowledges the defendant's guilt pursuant to the
procedure set forth in paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of this section or is found guilty by a court
of competent jurisdiction. A person who violates section 507 or 508 shall be punished by the
following fine plus a surcharge of sixteen percent of the fine as follows:
Excess Weight - Pounds Penalty
1 - 1,000 $ 20.00
1,001 - 3,000 25.00
3,001 - 5,000 0.03 per pound overweight
5,001 - 7,000 0.05 per pound overweight
rounded to the nearest dollar
7,001 - 10,000 0.07 per pound overweight
rounded to the nearest dollar
10,001 - 15,000 0.10 per pound overweight
rounded to the nearest dollar
15,001 - 19,750 0.15 per pound
rounded to the nearest dollar
Over 19,750 0.25 per pound overweight
rounded to the nearest dollar
(B) The state, county, city, or city and county issuing a citation that results in the assessment of
the penalties in sub-subparagraph (A) of this subparagraph (II) may retain and distribute the
following amount of the penalty according to the law of the jurisdiction that assesses the penalty,
but the remainder of the penalty shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the
moneys to the commercial vehicle enterprise tax fund created in section 42-1-225, C.R.S.:
Excess Weight - Pounds Penalty Retained
1 - 3,000 $ 15.00
3,001 - 4,250 25.00
4,251 - 4,500 50.00
4,501 - 4,750 55.00
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4,751 - 5,000 60.00
5,001 - 5,250 65.00
5,251 - 5,500 75.00
5,501 - 5,750 85.00
5,751 - 6,000 95.00
6,001 - 6,250 105.00
6,251 - 6,500 125.00
6,501 - 6,750 145.00
6,751 - 7,000 165.00
7,001 - 7,250 185.00
7,251 - 7,500 215.00
7,501 - 7,750 245.00
7,751 - 8,000 275.00
8,001 - 8,250 305.00
8,251 - 8,500 345.00
8,501 - 8,750 385.00
8,751 - 9,000 425.00
9,001 - 9,250 465.00
9,251 - 9,500 515.00
9,501 - 9,750 565.00
9,751 - 10,000 615.00
10,001 - 10,250 665.00
Over 10,250 30.00 for each 250 pounds
additional overweight,
plus $ 665.00
(III) Any person convicted of violating any of the rules promulgated pursuant to section 510,
except section 510 (2) (b) (IV), shall be fined as follows, whether the violator acknowledges the
violator's guilt pursuant to the procedure set forth in paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of this
section or is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction:
(A) Except as provided in sub-subparagraph (D) of this subparagraph (III), any person who
violates the maximum permitted weight on an axle or on gross weight shall be punished by the
following fine plus a surcharge of sixteen percent of the fine:
Excess Weight Above Maximum
Permitted Weight - Pounds Penalty
1 - 2,500 $ 50.00
2,501 - 5,000 100.00
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5,001 - 7,500 200.00
7,501 - 10,000 400.00
Over 10,000 $150.00 for each 1,000 pounds additional
oveweight, plus $ 400.00
(B) Any person who violates any of the requirements of the rules and regulations pertaining to
transport permits for the movement of overweight or oversize vehicles or loads, other than those
violations specified in sub-subparagraph (A) or (C) of this subparagraph (III), shall be punished
by a fine of fifty dollars.
(C) Any person who fails to have an escort vehicle when such vehicle is required by the rules
and regulations pertaining to transport permits for the movement of overweight or oversize
vehicles or loads or who fails to reduce speed when such speed reduction is required by said
rules and regulations shall be punished by a fine of two hundred fifty dollars.
(D) The fines for a person who violates the maximum permitted weight on an axle or on gross
weight under a permit issued pursuant to section 510 (1) (b) (II) shall be doubled.
(IV) (A) Any person convicted of violating section 42-3-114, C.R.S. who has not been
convicted of a violation of section 42-3-114, C.R.S. in the twelve months preceding such
conviction shall be fined as follows, whether the defendant acknowledges the defendant's guilt
pursuant to the procedure set forth in paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of this section or is found
guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction:
Number of days beyond renewal
period that registration has
been expired Penalty Surcharge
1 - 29 $ 35.00 $ 8.00
30 - 59 50.00 12.00
60 and over 75.00 18.00
(B) Any person convicted of violating section 42-3-114, C.R.S. who has been convicted of
violating said section within the twelve months preceding such conviction shall be fined pursuant
to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section.
(V) Any person convicted of violating section 42-20-204(2), C.R.S shall be fined twenty-five
dollars, whether the violator acknowledges guilt pursuant to the procedure set forth in paragraph
(a) of subsection (5) of this section or is found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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(VI) (A) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of this section, every person who
is convicted of, who admits liability for, or against whom a judgment is entered for a violation of
any provision of this title to which the provisions of paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (5) of this
section apply, shall, in addition to any other fine or penalty or surcharge, be assessed a surcharge
of one dollar, which amount shall be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the family-
friendly court program cash fund created in section 13-3-113 (6), C.R.S. This surcharge shall
apply whether the defendant acknowledges the defendant's guilt or liability in accordance with
the procedure set forth by paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of this section or is found guilty by a
court of competent jurisdiction or has judgment entered against the defendant by a county court
magistrate.
(B) Repealed.
(VII) The penalties and surcharges for a second or subsequent violation of section 42-20-109(2),
C.R.S., within twelve months shall be doubled.
(VIII) A person who violates section 42-3-204(7)(f)(II), C.R.S., or section 1208 (3) (a) or (4)
commits a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a surcharge of thirty-two
dollars under sections 24-4.1-119 (1) (f) and 24-4.2-104 (1) (b) (I), C.R.S., and:
(A) A fine of not less than three hundred fifty dollars but not more than one thousand dollars for
the first offense;
(B) A fine of not less than six hundred dollars but not more than one thousand dollars for a
second offense; and
(C) A fine of not less than one thousand dollars but not more than five thousand dollars, in
addition to not more than ten hours of community service, for a third or subsequent offense.
(IX) A person who violates section 1208 (3) by parking a vehicle owned by a commercial carrier
is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by the surcharge and a fine of
up to twice the penalty imposed in subparagraph (VIII) of this paragraph (a).
(X) (A) A person who violates section 1208 (5) of this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor
and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501, C.R.S.
(B) A person who willfully receives remuneration for violating section 1208 (5) is guilty of a
class 1 misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by twice the civil and criminal
penalties that would be imposed under section 18-1.3-501, C.R.S.
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(b) (I) The schedule in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall not apply
when the provisions of paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of this section prohibit the issuance of a
penalty assessment notice for a violation of the aforesaid traffic violation.
(II) The schedules in subparagraphs (II) and (III) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall
apply whether the violator is issued a penalty assessment notice or a summons and complaint.
(c) (I) The penalties and surcharges imposed for speeding violations under subsection (4) (a) (I)
(L) of this section shall be doubled if a speeding violation occurs within a maintenance, repair, or
construction zone that is designated by the department of transportation pursuant to section 614
(1) (a); except that the penalty for violating section 1101 (1) or (8) (b) by twenty to twenty-four
miles per hour over the reasonable and prudent speed or over the maximum lawful speed limit of
seventy-five miles per hour shall be five hundred forty dollars.
(II) (A) The penalties and surcharges imposed for violations under sub-subparagraphs (C), (G),
(H), (I), (J), (K), (N), and (O) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall be
doubled if a violation occurs within a maintenance, repair, or construction zone that is designated
by the department of transportation pursuant to section 614 (1) (a); except that the fines for
violating sections 314, 610, 613, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 1011, 1012, 1404, 1408, and 1414
shall not be doubled under this subparagraph (II).
(B) There is hereby created, within the highway users tax fund, the highway construction
workers' safety account.
(C) If a fine is doubled under subparagraph (I) or (II) of this paragraph (c), one-half of the fine
allocated to the state by sections 42-1-217 and section 205, C.R.S., shall be transferred to the
state treasurer, who shall deposit it in the highway construction workers' safety account within
the highway users tax fund to be continuously appropriated to the department of transportation
for work zone safety equipment, signs, and law enforcement.
(D) This subparagraph (II) is effective July 1, 2006.
(III) The penalties and surcharges imposed for speeding violations under sub-subparagraph (L)
of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall be doubled if a speeding
violation occurs within a maintenance, repair, or construction zone that is designated by a public
entity pursuant to section 614 (1) (b).
(IV) The penalties and surcharges imposed for violations under sub-subparagraphs (C), (G), (H),
(I), (J), (K), (N), and (O) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall be
doubled if a violation occurs within a maintenance, repair, or construction zone that is designated
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by a public entity pursuant to section 614 (1) (b); except that the fines for violating sections 314,
610, 613, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 1011, 1012, 1404, 1408, and 1414 shall not be doubled under
this subparagraph (IV).
(d) The penalty and surcharge imposed for any moving traffic violation under subparagraph (I)
of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) are doubled if the violation occurs within a school zone
pursuant to section 615.
(d.5) (I) The penalty and surcharge imposed for any moving traffic violation under subparagraph
(I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) are doubled if the violation occurs within a wildlife
crossing zone pursuant to section 616.
(II) (A) There is hereby created, within the highway users tax fund, the wildlife crossing zones
safety account.
(B) If a penalty and surcharge are doubled pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (d.5),
one-half of the penalty and surcharge allocated to the state by sections 42-1-217 and section 205,
C.R.S., shall be transferred to the state treasurer, who shall deposit the moneys in the wildlife
crossing zones safety account within the highway users tax fund to be continuously appropriated
to the department of transportation for wildlife crossing zones signs and law enforcement.
(e) (I) An additional twenty dollars shall be assessed for speeding violations pursuant to
subsection (4)(a)(I)(L) of this section in addition to the penalties and surcharge stated subsection
(4)(a)(I)(L) of this section. Money collected pursuant to this subsection 4(e) must be transmitted
to the state treasurer who shall deposit such money in the Colorado brain injury trust fund
created pursuant to section 26-1-309, C.R.S., within fourteen days after the end of each quarter,
to be used for the purposes set forth in sections 26-1-301 to 26-1-310, C.R.S.
(II) If the surcharge is collected by a county, the surcharge shall be twenty-two dollars of which
two dollars shall be retained by the county and the remaining twenty dollars must be transmitted
to the state treasurer and credited to the Colorado brain injury trust fund created pursuant to
section 26-1-309, C.R.S., within fourteen days after the end of each quarter, to be used for the
purposes set forth in sections 26-1-301 to 26-1-310, C.R.S.
(III) An additional twenty dollars is assessed for a violation of a traffic regulation pursuant to
subsection (4)(a)(I)(C) of this section for a violation of section 109(13)(b), in addition to the
penalties stated in subsection (4)(a)(I)(C) of this section. An additional twenty dollars must be
assessed for a motorcycle violation pursuant to subsection (4)(a)(I)(O) of this section for a
violation of section 1502(4.5), in addition to the penalties stated in subsection (4)(a)(I)(O) of this
section. Money collected pursuant to this subsection (4)(e)(III) must be transmitted to the state
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treasurer, who shall deposit the money in the Colorado brain injury trust fund created pursuant to
section 26-1-309, C.R.S., to be used for the purposes set forth in sections 26-1-301 to 26-1-310,
C.R.S.
(f) (I) In addition to the surcharge specified in sub-subparagraph (N) of subparagraph (I) of
paragraph (a) of this subsection (4), the court shall assess a surcharge of five dollars shall be
assessed for a violation of section 1301 (2)(d). Moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph (f)
shall be transmitted to the state treasurer who shall deposit such moneys in the rural alcohol and
substance abuse cash fund created in section 27-80-117 (3), C.R.S., within fourteen days after
the end of each quarter, to be used for the purposes set forth in section 27-80-117, C.R.S.
(II) If the additional surcharge is collected by a county court, the additional surcharge shall be six
dollars of which one dollar shall be retained by the county and the remaining five dollars shall be
transmitted to the state treasurer and credited to the rural alcohol and substance abuse cash fund
created in section 27-80-117 (3), C.R.S., within fourteen days after the end of each quarter, to be
used for the purposes set forth in section 27-80-117, C.R.S.
(III) This paragraph (f) is repealed, effective September 1, 2025, unless the general assembly
extends the repeal of the rural alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment program
created in section 27-80-117.
(5) (a) (I) At the time that any person is arrested for the commission of any misdemeanors, petty
offenses, or misdemeanor traffic offenses set forth in subsection (4) of this section, the arresting
officer may, except when the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection (5) prohibit it, offer
to give a penalty assessment notice to the defendant. At any time that a person is charged with
the commission of any traffic infraction, the peace officer shall, except when the provisions of
paragraph (c) of this subsection (5) prohibit it, give a penalty assessment notice to the defendant.
Such penalty assessment notice shall contain all the information required by section 1707 (3) or
by section 1709, whichever is applicable. The fine or penalty specified in subsection (4) of this
section for the violation charged and the surcharge thereon may be paid at the office of the
department of revenue, either in person or by postmarking such payment within twenty days
from the date the penalty assessment notice is served upon the defendant; except that the fine or
penalty charged and the surcharge thereon shall be paid to the county if it relates to a traffic
offense authorized by county ordinance. The department of revenue shall accept late payment of
any penalty assessment up to twenty days after such payment becomes due. Except as otherwise
provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), in the case of an offense other than a traffic
infraction, a defendant who otherwise would be eligible to be issued a penalty assessment notice
but who does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity or who the officer has reasonable and
probable grounds to believe will disregard the summons portion of such notice may be issued a
penalty assessment notice if the defendant consents to be taken by the officer to the nearest
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mailbox and to mail the amount of the fine or penalty and surcharge thereon to the department.
The peace officer shall advise the person arrested or cited of the points to be assessed in
accordance with section 42-2-127, C.R.S. Except as otherwise provided in section 1710 (1) (b),
acceptance of a penalty assessment notice and payment of the prescribed fine or penalty and
surcharge thereon to the department shall be deemed a complete satisfaction for the violation,
and the defendant shall be given a receipt which so states when such fine or penalty and
surcharge thereon is paid in currency or other form of legal tender. Checks tendered by the
defendant to and accepted by the department and on which payment is received by the
department shall be deemed sufficient receipt.
(II) In the case of an offense other than a traffic infraction that involves a minor under the age of
eighteen years, the officer shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of section 1706 (2) or
1707 (1) (b) or (3) (a.5). In no case may an officer issue a penalty assessment notice to a minor
under the age of eighteen years and require or offer that the minor consent to be taken by the
officer to the nearest mailbox to mail the amount of the fine or penalty and surcharge thereon to
the department.
(b) In the case of an offense other than a traffic infraction, should the defendant refuse to accept
service of the penalty assessment notice when such notice is tendered, the peace officer shall
proceed in accordance with section 42-4-1705, C.R.S., or 1707 of this Code. Should the
defendant charged with an offense other than a traffic infraction accept service of the penalty
assessment notice but fail to post the prescribed penalty and surcharge thereon within twenty
days thereafter, the notice shall be construed to be a summons and complaint unless payment for
such penalty assessment has been accepted by the department of revenue as evidenced by
receipt. Should the defendant charged with a traffic infraction accept the notice but fail to post
the prescribed penalty and surcharge thereon within twenty days thereafter, and should the
department of revenue not accept payment for such penalty and surcharge as evidenced by
receipt, the defendant shall be allowed to pay such penalty and surcharge thereon and the docket
fee in the amount set forth in section 1710 (4) to the clerk of the court referred to in the summons
portion of the penalty assessment notice during the two business days prior to the time for
appearance as specified in the notice. If the penalty for a misdemeanor, misdemeanor traffic
offense, or a petty offense and surcharge thereon is not timely paid, the case shall thereafter be
heard in the court of competent jurisdiction prescribed on the penalty assessment notice in the
same manner as is provided by law for prosecutions of the misdemeanors not specified in
subsection (4) of this section. If the penalty for a traffic infraction and surcharge thereon is not
timely paid, the case shall thereafter be heard in the court of competent jurisdiction prescribed on
the penalty assessment notice in the manner provided for in this article for the prosecution of
traffic infractions. In either case, the maximum penalty that may be imposed shall not exceed the
penalty set forth in the applicable penalty and surcharge schedule in subsection (4) of this
section.
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(b.5) The provisions of section 1710 (1) (b) shall govern any case described in paragraph (b) of
this subsection (5) in which a minor under the age of eighteen years submits timely payment for
an infraction or offense in a penalty assessment notice but such payment is not accompanied by
the penalty assessment notice signed and notarized in the manner required by section 1707 (3)
(a.5) or 1709 (1.5).
(c) (I) The penalty and surcharge schedules of subsection (4) of this section and the penalty
assessment notice provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (5) shall not apply to
violations constituting misdemeanors, petty offenses, or misdemeanor traffic offenses not
specified in said subsection (4) of this section, nor shall they apply to the violations constituting
misdemeanors, petty offenses, misdemeanor traffic offenses, or traffic infractions specified in
said subsection (4) of this section when it appears that:
(A) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 580, § 4, effective May 25, 1996.)
(B) In a violation of section 1101 (1) or (8) (b), the defendant exceeded the reasonable and
prudent speed or the maximum lawful speed of seventy-five miles per hour by more than twenty-
four miles per hour;
(C) The alleged violation has caused, or contributed to the cause of, an accident resulting in
appreciable damage to property of another or in injury or death to any person;
(D) The defendant has, in the course of the same transaction, violated one of the provisions of
this title specified in the penalty and surcharge schedules in subsection (4) of this section and has
also violated one or more provisions of this title not so specified, and the peace officer charges
such defendant with two or more violations, any one of which is not specified in the penalty and
surcharge schedules in subsection (4) of this section.
(II) In all cases where this paragraph (c) prohibits the issuance of a penalty assessment notice,
the penalty and surcharge schedule contained in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of subsection
(4) of this section shall be inapplicable; except that the penalty and surcharge provided in the
schedule contained in sub-subparagraph (B) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of subsection
(4) of this section for any violation of section 121 shall always apply to such a violation. In all
cases where the penalty and surcharge schedule contained in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of
subsection (4) of this section is inapplicable, the provisions of subsection (3) of this section shall
apply.
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(d) In addition to any other cases governed by this section, the penalty and surcharge schedule
contained in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of this section shall apply in the
following cases:
(I) In all cases in which a peace officer was authorized by the provisions of this subsection (5) to
offer a penalty assessment notice for the commission of a misdemeanor, petty offense, or
misdemeanor traffic offense but such peace officer chose not to offer such penalty assessment
notice;
(II) In all cases involving the commission of a misdemeanor, petty offense, or misdemeanor
traffic offense in which a penalty assessment notice was offered by a peace officer but such
penalty assessment notice was refused by the defendant.
(6) An officer coming upon an unattended vehicle that is in apparent violation of any provision
of the state motor vehicle law may place upon the vehicle a penalty assessment notice indicating
the offense or infraction and directing the owner or operator of the vehicle to remit the penalty
assessment provided for by subsection (4) of this section and the surcharges thereon pursuant to
sections 119(1)(f) and 104 to the Colorado department of revenue within ten days. If the penalty
assessment and surcharge thereon is not paid within ten days of the issuance of the notice, the
department shall mail a notice to the registered owner of the vehicle, setting forth the offense or
infraction and the time and place where it occurred and directing the payment of the penalty
assessment and surcharge thereon within twenty days from the issuance of the notice. If the
penalty assessment and surcharge thereon is not paid within the twenty days from the date of
mailing of such notice, the department shall request the police officer who issued the original
penalty assessment notice to file a complaint with a court having jurisdiction and issue and serve
upon the registered owner of the vehicle a summons to appear in court at a time and place
specified therein as in the case of other offenses or infractions.
(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of this section, receipt of
payment by mail by the department or postmarking such payment on or prior to the twentieth day
after the receipt of the penalty assessment notice by the defendant shall be deemed to constitute
receipt on or before the date the payment was due.
(8) The surcharges described in subsections (4) to (6) of this section are separate and distinct
from a surcharge levied pursuant to section 24-33.5-415.6, C.R.S.
1702. Counties - traffic offenses classified - schedule of fines.
(1) Pursuant to sections 30-15-402(1), C.R.S., and 42-4-1701, C.R.S., it is a traffic
infraction for any person to violate parts 1 and 2, and 5 to 19 of this Code except as otherwise
provided in subsections (2), (3),(4), and (5) of this section.
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(2) Violation of sections 238, 239, 607 (2)(a), 1402 (2), and 1409, of this Code are class
1 traffic misdemeanors
(3) Violations of sections 107, 228 (8), 233, 507, 508, 509, 510, 1105, 1401, 1402 (1),
1407, 1412, 1413, 1704, 1716(2) and 1903 (1)(a) of this Code are class 2 traffic misdemeanors.
(4) In section 1101 of this Code a violation of driving one to twenty-four miles per hour
in excess of the reasonable and prudent speed or in excess of the maximum lawful speed limit of
seventy-five miles per hour is a traffic infraction; a violation of driving twenty-five or more
miles per hour in excess of the reasonable and prudent speed or in excess of the maximum lawful
speed limit of seventy-five miles per hour is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
(5) Violation of subsection (1.5) of section 225 shall, upon conviction, be punished by a
fine of five hundred dollars.
(6) The County Commissioners may adopt a fine and surcharge schedule for penalty
assessment violations.
1703. Parties to a crime.
Every person who commits, conspires to commit, or aids or abets in the commission of any act
declared in this Code to be a traffic offense, whether individually or in connection with one or
more other persons or as principal, agent, or accessory, is guilty of such offense or liable for such
offense, and every person who falsely, fraudulently, forcibly, or willfully induces, causes,
coerces, requires, permits, or directs another to violate any provision of this Code is likewise
guilty of such offense or liable for such offense.
1704. Offenses by persons controlling vehicles.
It is unlawful for the owner or any other person employing or otherwise directing the driver of
any vehicle to require or knowingly to permit the operation of such vehicle upon a highway in
any manner contrary to law or this Code.
1705. Person arrested to be taken before the proper court
(1) Whenever a person is arrested for any violation of this article punishable as a
misdemeanor, the arrested person shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a county judge
who has jurisdiction of such offense as provided by law, in any of the following cases:
(a) When a person arrested demands an appearance without unnecessary delay before a
judge;
(b) When the person is arrested and charged with an offense under this article causing or
contributing to an accident resulting in injury or death to any person;
(c) When the person is arrested and charged with DUI, DUI per se, or UDD;
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(d) When the person is arrested upon a charge of failure to stop in the event of an
accident causing death, personal injuries, or damage to property;
(e) In any other event when the provisions of section 42-4-1701 (5)(b) and (5)(c) apply
and the person arrested refuses to give a written promise to appear in court as provided in section
42-4-1707.
(2) Whenever any person is arrested by a police officer for any violation of this article
punishable as a misdemeanor and is not required to be taken before a county judge as provided in
subsection (1) of this section, the arrested person shall, in the discretion of the officer, either be
given a written notice or summons to appear in court as provided in section 42-4-1707 or be
taken without unnecessary delay before a county judge who has jurisdiction of such offense
when the arrested person does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity or when the officer
has reasonable and probable grounds to believe the person will disregard a written promise to
appear in court. The court shall provide a bail bond schedule and available personnel to accept
adequate security for such bail bonds.
(2.5) In any case in which the arrested person that is taken before a county judge
pursuant to subsection (1) or (2) of this section is a child, as defined in section 19-1-103 (18),
C.R.S., the provisions of section 42-4-1706 (2) shall apply.
(3) Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, a police officer may
place a person who has been arrested and charged with DUI, DUI per se, or UDD and who has
been given a written notice or summons to appear in court as provided in section 42-4-1707 in a
state-approved treatment facility for alcohol use disorders even though entry or other record of
such arrest and charge has been made. Placement is governed by article 81 of title 27, except
where in conflict with this section.
1706. Juveniles - convicted - arrested and incarcerated - provisions for confinement.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a child, as defined in section 19-1-103
(18), C.R.S., convicted of a misdemeanor traffic offense under this Code, violating the
conditions of probation imposed under this Code, or found in contempt of court in connection
with a violation or alleged violation under this Code shall not be confined in a jail, lockup, or
other place used for the confinement of adult offenders if the court with jurisdiction is located in
a county in which there is a juvenile detention facility operated by or under contract with the
department of human services that shall receive and provide care for such child or if the jail is
located within forty miles of such facility. The court imposing penalties under this section may
confine a child for a determinate period of time in a juvenile detention facility operated by or
under contract with the department of human services. If a juvenile detention facility operated by
or under contract with the department of human services is not located within the county or
within forty miles of the jail, a child may be confined for up to forty-eight hours in a jail pursuant
to section 19-2-508 (4), C.R.S.
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(2)(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a child, as defined in section 19-1-103
(18), C.R.S., arrested and incarcerated for an alleged misdemeanor traffic offense under this
Code, and not released on bond, shall be taken before a county judge who has jurisdiction of
such offense within forty-eight hours for fixing of bail and conditions of bond pursuant to section
19-2-508 (4)(d), C.R.S. Such child shall not be confined in a jail, lockup, or other place used for
the confinement of adult offenders for longer than seventy-two hours, after which the child may
be further detained only in a juvenile detention facility operated by or under contract with the
department of human services. In calculating time under this subsection (2), Saturdays, Sundays,
and court holidays shall be included.
(b) In any case in which a child is taken before a county judge pursuant to paragraph (a)
of this subsection (2), the child's parent or legal guardian shall immediately be notified by the
court in which the county judge sits. Any person so notified by the court under this paragraph (b)
shall comply with the provisions of section 42-4-1716 (4), C.R.S.
1707. Summons and complaint or penalty assessment notice for misdemeanors, petty
offenses, and misdemeanor traffic offenses--release—registration.
(1)(a) Whenever a person commits a violation of this title punishable as a misdemeanor,
petty offense, or misdemeanor traffic offense, other than a violation for which a penalty
assessment notice may be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 1701(5)(a), and
such person is not required by the provisions of section 42-4-1705, C.R.S., to be arrested and
taken without unnecessary delay before a county judge, the peace officer may issue and serve
upon the defendant a summons and complaint which must contain the name and address of the
defendant, the license number of the vehicle involved, if any, the number of the defendant's
driver's license, if any, a citation of the statute alleged to have been violated, a brief description
of the offense, the date and approximate location thereof, and the date the summons and
complaint is served on the defendant; direct the defendant to appear in a specified county court at
a specified time and place; and be signed by the peace officer. The summons and complaint
submitted to the department of revenue and the county court before which appearance is
required, either by paper or electronic submission, must contain the name and address of the
defendant, the license of the vehicle involved, if any, and the number of the defendant's driver's
license, if any.
(b) A summons and complaint issued and served pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
subsection (1) on a minor under the age of eighteen years shall also contain or be accompanied
by a document containing an advisement to the minor that the minor's parent or legal guardian, if
known, shall be notified by the court from which the summons is issued and be required to
appear with the minor at the minor's court hearing or hearings.
(2) If a peace officer issues and serves a summons and complaint to appear in any court
upon the defendant as described in subsection (1) of this section, any defect in form in such
summons and complaint regarding the name and address of the defendant, the license number of
the vehicle involved, if any, the number of the defendant's driver's license, if any, the date and
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approximate location thereof, and the date the summons and complaint is served on the
defendant may be cured by amendment at any time prior to trial or any time before verdict or
findings upon an oral motion by the prosecuting attorney after notice to the defendant and an
opportunity for a hearing. No such amendment shall be permitted if substantial rights of the
defendant are prejudiced. No summons and complaint shall be considered defective so as to be
cause for dismissal solely because of a defect in form in such summons and complaint as
described in this subsection (2).
(3)(a) Whenever a penalty assessment notice for a misdemeanor, petty offense, or
misdemeanor traffic offense is issued pursuant to section 1701(5)(a), the penalty assessment
notice that shall be served upon the defendant by the peace officer shall contain the name and
address of the defendant, the license number of the vehicle involved, if any, the number of the
defendant's driver's license, if any, a citation of the statute alleged to have been violated, a brief
description of the offense, the date and approximate location thereof, the amount of the penalty
prescribed for the offense, the amount of the surcharges thereon pursuant to sections 24-4.1-
119(1)(f), 24-4.2-104(1), and 24-33.5-415.6, C.R.S., the number of points, if any, prescribed for
the offense pursuant to section 42-2-127, and the date the penalty assessment notice is served on
the defendant; shall direct the defendant to appear in a specified county court at a specified time
and place in the event the penalty and surcharges thereon are not paid; shall be signed by the
peace officer; and shall contain a place for the defendant to elect to execute a signed
acknowledgment of guilt and an agreement to pay the penalty prescribed and surcharges thereon
within twenty days, as well as such other information as may be required by law to constitute the
penalty assessment notice to be a summons and complaint, should the prescribed penalty and
surcharges thereon not be paid within the time allowed in section 1701.
(a.5) A penalty assessment notice issued and served pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
subsection (3) on a minor under the age of eighteen years shall also contain or be accompanied
by a document containing:
(I) A preprinted declaration stating that the minor's parent or legal guardian has reviewed
the contents of the penalty assessment notice with the minor;
(II) Preprinted signature lines following the declaration on which the reviewing person
described in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a.5) shall affix his or her signature and for a
notary public to duly acknowledge the reviewing person's signature; and
(III) An advisement to the minor that:
(A) The minor shall, within seventy-two hours after service of the penalty assessment
notice, inform his or her parent or legal guardian that the minor has received a penalty
assessment notice;
(B) The parent or legal guardian of the minor is required by law to review and sign the
penalty assessment notice and to have his or her signature duly acknowledged by a notary public;
and
(C) Noncompliance with the requirement set forth in sub-subparagraph (B) of this
subparagraph (III) shall result in the minor and the parent or legal guardian of the minor being
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required to appear in court pursuant to sections 42-4-1710(1) (b), 42-4-1710(1.5), and 42-4-
1716(4), C.R.S.
(b) One copy of said penalty assessment notice shall be served upon the defendant by the
peace officer and one copy sent to the supervisor within the department and such other copies
sent as may be required by rule of the department to govern the internal administration of this
article between the department and the Colorado state patrol.
(4)(a) The time specified in the summons portion of said summons and complaint must
be at least twenty days after the date such summons and complaint is served, unless the
defendant shall demand an earlier court appearance date.
(b) The time specified in the summons portion of said penalty assessment notice shall be
at least thirty days but not more than ninety days after the date such penalty assessment notice is
served, unless the defendant shall demand an earlier court appearance date.
1708. Burden of proof - appeals.
(1) The burden of proof shall be upon the people, and the court shall enter judgment in
favor of the defendant unless the people prove the liability of the defendant beyond a reasonable
doubt.
(2) Appeals from courts of record shall be in accordance with Rule 37 of the Colorado
Rules of Criminal Procedure.
1709. Penalty assessment notice for traffic offenses - violations of provisions by officer -
driver's license.
(1) Whenever a penalty assessment notice for a traffic infraction is issued the penalty
assessment notice which shall be served upon the defendant by the peace officer shall contain the
name and address of the defendant, the license number of the vehicle involved, if any, the
number of the defendant's driver's license, if any, a citation of the statute alleged to have been
violated, a brief description of the traffic infraction, the date and approximate location thereof,
the amount of the penalty prescribed for such traffic infraction, the amount of the surcharge
thereon pursuant to section 24-4.2-104 (1), C.R.S., the number of points, if any, prescribed for
such traffic infraction pursuant to section 42-2-127, C.R.S., and the date the penalty assessment
notice is served on the defendant; shall direct the defendant to appear in a specified county court
at a specified time and place in the event such penalty and surcharge thereon is not paid; shall be
signed by the peace officer; and shall contain a place for the defendant to elect to execute a
signed acknowledgment of liability and an agreement to pay the penalty prescribed and
surcharge thereon within twenty days, as well as such other information as may be required by
law to constitute such penalty assessment notice to be a summons and complaint, should the
prescribed penalty and surcharge thereon not be paid within the time allowed in section 42-4-
1701, C.R.S.
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(1.5) A penalty assessment notice issued and served pursuant to subsection (1) of this
section on a minor under the age of eighteen years shall also contain or be accompanied by a
document containing:
(a) A preprinted declaration stating that the minor's parent or legal guardian has reviewed
the contents of the penalty assessment notice with the minor;
(b) Preprinted signature lines following the declaration on which the reviewing person
described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.5) shall affix his or her signature and for a notary
public to duly acknowledge the reviewing person's signature; and
(c) An advisement to the minor that:
(I) The minor shall, within seventy-two hours after service of the penalty assessment
notice, inform his or her parent or legal guardian that the minor has received a penalty
assessment notice;
(II) The parent or legal guardian of the minor is required by this Code to review and sign
the penalty assessment notice and to have his or her signature duly acknowledged by a notary
public; and
(III) Noncompliance with the requirement set forth in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph
(c) shall result in the minor and the parent or legal guardian of the minor being required to appear
in court pursuant to sections 1710 (1)(b), 1710 (1.5), and 1716 (4).
(2) One copy of said penalty assessment notice shall be served upon the defendant by the
peace officer and one copy sent to the clerk of the court and such other copies sent as may be
required by ordinance or the court.
(3) The time specified in the summons portion of said penalty assessment notice must be
at least thirty days but not more than ninety days after the date such penalty assessment notice is
served, unless the defendant shall demand an earlier hearing.
(4) The place specified in the summons portion of said penalty assessment notice must be
a court within the county in which the traffic infraction is alleged to have been committed.
(5) Whenever the defendant refuses to accept service of the penalty assessment notice,
tender of such notice by the peace officer to the defendant shall constitute service thereof upon
the defendant.
1710. Failure to pay penalty for traffic offenses - failure of parent or guardian to sign
penalty assessment notice - procedures.
(1)(a) Unless a person who has been cited for a traffic infraction pays the penalty
assessment as provided in this Code and surcharge thereon pursuant to section 24-4.2-104 (1),
C.R.S., the person shall appear at a hearing on the date and time specified in the citation and
answer the complaint against such person.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), a minor under
the age of eighteen years shall be required to appear at a hearing on the date and time specified in
the citation and answer the complaint if the penalty assessment was timely paid but not signed
and notarized in the manner required by section 1709 (1.5).
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(1.5) If a minor under the age of eighteen years is required to appear at a hearing pursuant
to subsection (1) of this section, the minor shall so inform his or her parent or legal guardian, and
the parent or legal guardian shall also be required to appear at the hearing.
(2) If the violator answers that he or she is guilty or if the violator fails to appear for the
hearing, judgment shall be entered against the violator.
(3) If the violator denies the allegations in the complaint, a final hearing on the
complaint shall be held subject to the provisions regarding a speedy trial which are contained in
section 18-1-405, C.R.S. If the violator is found guilty or liable at such final hearing or if the
violator fails to appear for a final hearing, judgment shall be entered against the violator.
(4) If judgment is entered against a violator, the violator shall be assessed an appropriate
penalty and surcharge thereon, a docket fee, and other applicable costs authorized by ordinance
or the court. If the violator had been cited by a penalty assessment notice, the penalty shall be
assessed pursuant to this Code.
1711. Compliance with promise to appear.
A written promise to appear in court may be complied with by an appearance by counsel.
1712. Procedure prescribed not exclusive.
The foregoing provisions of this Code shall govern all police officers in making arrests without a
warrant or issuing citations for violations of this Code, for offenses or infractions committed in
their presence, but the procedure prescribed in this Code shall not otherwise be exclusive of any
other method prescribed by law or ordinance for the arrest and prosecution of a person for an
offense or infraction of like grade.
1713. Conviction record inadmissible in civil action.
Except as provided in sections 42-2-201 to 42-2-208, C.R.S., no record of the conviction of any
person for any violation of this Code shall be admissible as evidence in any court in any civil
action.
1714. Traffic violation not to affect credibility of witness.
The conviction of a person upon a charge of violating any provision of this Code or other traffic
regulation less than a felony shall not affect or impair the credibility of such person as a witness
in any civil or criminal proceeding.
1715. Convictions, judgments, and charges recorded - public inspection.
(1) Every judge of a court not of record and every clerk of a court of record shall keep a full
record of every case in which a person is charged with any violation of this Code or any other
law regulating the operation of vehicles on highways.
(2) Within ten days after the entry of a judgment, conviction, or forfeiture of bail of a
person upon a charge of violating any provision of this Code or other law regulating the
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operation of vehicles on highways, the judge or clerk of the court in which the entry of a
judgment was made or the conviction was had or bail was forfeited shall prepare and
immediately forward to the motor vehicle division of the department of revenue an abstract of
the record of said court covering every case in which said person had a judgment entered against
him or her, was so convicted, or forfeited bail, which abstract must be certified by the person so
required to prepare the same to be true and correct.
(3) Said abstract must be made upon a form furnished by the department of revenue and
shall include the name, address, and driver's license number of the party charged, the registration
number of the vehicle involved, the nature of the offense, the date of hearing, the plea, the
judgment or whether bail forfeited, and the amount of the fine or forfeiture as the case may be.
1716. Notice to appear or pay fine - failure to appear - penalty.
(1) For the purposes of this part 17, tender by an arresting officer of the summons or penalty
assessment notice shall constitute notice to the violator to appear in court at the time specified on
such summons or to pay the required fine and surcharge thereon.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, a person commits a
traffic offense if the person fails to appear to answer any offense other than a traffic infraction
charged under this part 17.
(3) Deleted.
(4)(a)(I) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), a
person who is a parent or legal guardian of a minor under the age of eighteen years and who is
required to appear in court with the minor pursuant to the provisions of this part 17 including but
not limited to section 1706 (2)(b) or 1710 (1.5), shall appear in court at the location and on the
date stated in the penalty assessment notice or in the summons and complaint or as instructed by
the court.
(II) The provisions of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) concerning the appearance of
a parent or legal guardian shall not apply in a case where the minor under the age of eighteen
years or the parent of the minor demonstrates to the court by clear and convincing evidence that
the minor is an emancipated minor.
(III) For purposes of this subsection (4), "emancipated minor" means a minor under the
age of eighteen years who has no legal guardian and whose parents have entirely surrendered the
right to the care, custody, and earnings of the minor, no longer are under any duty to support or
maintain the minor, and have made no provision for the support of the minor.
(b) A person who violates any provision of paragraph (a) of subparagraph (I) of this
subsection (4) commits a class 1 petty offense and shall be punished pursuant to section 18-1.3-
503, C.R.S.
1717. Conviction - attendance at driver improvement school.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, whenever a person has
been convicted of violating any provision of this Code or other law regulating the operation of
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vehicles on streets or highways, the court, in addition to the penalty provided for the violation or
as a condition of either the probation or the suspension of all or any portion of any fine or
sentence of imprisonment for a violation other than a traffic infraction, may require the
defendant, at the defendant's own expense, if any, to attend and satisfactorily complete a course
of instruction at any designated driver improvement school located and operating in the county
of the defendant's residence and providing instruction in the traffic laws of this state, instruction
in recognition of hazardous traffic situations, and instruction in traffic accident prevention. Such
school shall be approved by the court.
(2) Whenever a minor under eighteen years of age has been convicted of violating any
provision of this Code or other law regulating the operation of vehicles on streets or highways,
the court may require the minor to attend and satisfactorily complete a course of instruction at
any designated driver improvement school providing instruction in the traffic laws of this state,
instruction in recognition of hazardous traffic situations, and instruction in traffic accident
prevention. The court may impose the driver improvement school requirement in addition to the
penalty provided for the violation or as a condition of either the probation or the suspension of
all or any portion of any fine or sentence of imprisonment for the violation. The minor, or the
minor's parent or parents who appear in court with the minor in accordance with section 1716
(4), of this Code, shall pay the cost of attending the designated driver improvement school. The
court shall make available information on scholarships and other financial assistance available to
help minors or their parents offset the costs of driver improvement school. Such school shall be
approved by the court.
1718. Electronic transmission of data—standards.
A municipal court, county court, district court, or any court with jurisdiction over violations of
traffic rules and laws shall not dismiss any charges or refuse to enforce any traffic law or rule
solely because a penalty assessment notice or summons and complaint issued pursuant to the
standards established in this section is in electronic form or contains an electronic signature.
1719. Violations--commercial driver's license--compliance with federal regulation.
As to a holder of a commercial driver's license as defined in section 42-2-402 or the operator of a
commercial motor vehicle as defined in section 42-2-402, a court shall not defer imposition of
judgment or allow a person to enter into a diversion program that would prevent a driver's
conviction for any violation, in any type of motor vehicle, of a traffic control law from appearing
on the driver's record.
PART 18
VEHICLES ABANDONED ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
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1801. Legislative declaration.
This jurisdiction hereby declares that the purpose of this part 18 is to provide procedures
for the removal, storage, and disposal of motor vehicles that are abandoned on public property.
1802. Definitions. As used in this part 18, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Abandoned motor vehicle” means:
(a) Any motor vehicle left unattended on public property, including any portion of a
highway right-of-way, outside the limits of any incorporated town or city for a period of forty-
eight hours or longer;
(b) Any motor vehicle left unattended on public property, including any portion of a
highway right-of-way, within the limits of any incorporated town or city for a period longer than
any limit prescribed by any local ordinance concerning the abandonment of motor vehicles or, if
there is no such ordinance, for a period of forty-eight hours or longer;
(c) Any motor vehicle stored in an impound lot at the request of a law enforcement
agency and not removed from the impound lot within seventy-two hours after the time the law
enforcement agency notifies the owner or agent that the vehicle is available for release upon
payment of any applicable charges or fees;
(d) A motor vehicle fitted with an immobilization device that is on public property and
deemed to be abandoned pursuant to section 1105 (7) (c); or
(e) Any motor vehicle left unattended at a regional transportation district parking facility,
as defined in section 32-9-119.9 (6), C.R.S., that is deemed to be abandoned pursuant to section
32-9-119.9 (4) (b), C.R.S.
(2) “Agency employee” means any employee of the department of transportation or other
municipal, county, or city and county agency responsible for highway safety and maintenance.
(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (HB09- 1279), ch. 170, p. 763, § 1, effective
August 5, 2009.)
(4) “Appraisal” means a bona fide estimate of reasonable market value made by any
motor vehicle dealer licensed in this state or by any employee of the Colorado state patrol or of
any sheriff’s or police department whose appointment for such purpose has been reported by the
head of the appointing agency to the executive director of the department.
(5) “Disabled motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is stopped or parked, either
attended or unattended, upon a public right-of-way and that is, due to any mechanical failure or
any inoperability because of a collision, a fire, or any other such injury, temporarily inoperable
under its own power.
(6) “Impound lot” means a parcel of real property that is owned or leased by a
government or operator at which motor vehicles are stored under appropriate protection.
(7) “Operator” means a person or a firm licensed by the public utilities commission as a
towing carrier.
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(8) “Public property” means any real property having its title, ownership, use, or
possession held by the federal government; this state; or any county, municipality, as defined in
section 31-1-101 (6), C.R.S., or other governmental entity of this state.
(9) “Responsible law enforcement agency” means the law enforcement agency
authorizing the original tow of an abandoned motor vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is towed
to another law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction.
1803. Abandonment of motor vehicles - public property.
(1) (a) No person shall abandon any motor vehicle upon public property. Any sheriff,
undersheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, marshal, Colorado state patrol officer, or agent of the
Colorado bureau of investigation who finds a motor vehicle that such officer has reasonable
grounds to believe has been abandoned shall require such motor vehicle to be removed or cause
the same to be removed and placed in storage in any impound lot designated or maintained by
the law enforcement agency employing such officer.
(b) If an operator is used by the responsible law enforcement agency to tow or impound
the motor vehicle pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), the operator shall be provided
with written authorization to possess the motor vehicle on a document that includes, without
limitation, the year, make, model, vehicle identification number, and storage location.
(2) Whenever any sheriff, undersheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, marshal, Colorado
state patrol officer, agent of the Colorado bureau of investigation, or agency employee finds a
motor vehicle, vehicle, cargo, or debris, attended or unattended, standing upon any portion of a
highway right-of-way in such a manner as to constitute an obstruction to traffic or proper
highway maintenance, such officer or agency employee is authorized to cause the motor vehicle,
vehicle, cargo, or debris to be moved to eliminate any such obstruction; and neither the officer,
the agency employee, nor anyone acting under the direction of such officer or employee shall be
liable for any damage to such motor vehicle, vehicle, cargo, or debris occasioned by such
removal. The removal process is intended to clear the obstruction, but such activity should create
as little damage as possible to the vehicle, or cargo, or both. No agency employee shall cause any
motor vehicle to be moved unless such employee has obtained approval from a local law
enforcement agency of a municipality, county, or city and county, the Colorado bureau of
investigation, or the Colorado state patrol.
(3) The operator shall be responsible for removing the motor vehicle and the motor
vehicle debris from the site pursuant to this section, but shall not be required to remove or clean
up any hazardous or commercial cargo the motor vehicle carried. The commercial carrier shall
be responsible for removal or clean-up of the hazardous or commercial cargo.
1804. Report of abandoned motor vehicles - owner’s opportunity to request hearing.
(1)(a) Upon having an abandoned motor vehicle towed, the responsible law enforcement
agency shall ascertain, if possible, whether or not the motor vehicle has been reported stolen,
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and, if so reported, such agency shall recover and secure the motor vehicle and notify its rightful
owner and terminate the abandonment proceedings under this part 18. The responsible law
enforcement agency and the towing carrier shall have the right to recover from the owner their
reasonable costs and fees for recovering and securing the motor vehicle. Nothing in this section
shall be construed to authorize fees for services that were not provided or that were provided by
another person or entity.
(b) As soon as possible, but in no event later than ten working days after having an
abandoned motor vehicle towed, the responsible law enforcement agency shall report the same to
the department by first-class or certified mail, by personal delivery, or by internet
communication. The report shall be on a form prescribed and supplied by the department.
(c) The report shall contain the following information:
(I) The fact of possession, including the date possession was taken, the location of storage
of the abandoned motor vehicle and the location from which it was towed, the identity of the
responsible law enforcement agency, and the business address, telephone number, and name and
signature of a representative from the responsible law enforcement agency;
(II) If applicable, the identity of the operator possessing the abandoned motor vehicle,
together with the operator’s business address and telephone number and the carrier number
assigned by the public utilities commission; and
(III) A description of the abandoned motor vehicle, including the make, model, color, and
year, the number, issuing state, and expiration date of the license plate, and the vehicle
identification number.
(2) Upon its receipt of a report made under subsection (1) or (6) of this section, the
department shall search its records to ascertain the last-known owner of record for the abandoned
motor vehicle and any lienholder as those persons are represented in department records. In the
event the vehicle is determined by the department not to be registered in the state of Colorado,
the report required by this section shall state that no Colorado title record exists regarding the
vehicle. Within ten working days after such receipt, the department shall complete its search and
shall transmit such report, together with all relevant information, to the responsible law
enforcement agency.
(3) The responsible law enforcement agency, upon its receipt of the report required under
subsection (2) of this section, shall determine, from all available information and after reasonable
inquiry, whether the abandoned motor vehicle has been reported stolen, and, if so reported, such
agency shall recover and secure the motor vehicle and notify its rightful owner and terminate the
abandonment proceedings under this part 18. The responsible law enforcement agency and the
operator shall have the right to recover from the owner their reasonable costs to recover and
secure the motor vehicle.
(4) (a) If the responsible law enforcement agency, does not use an operator to store the
motor vehicle, the responsible law enforcement agency, within ten working days after the receipt
of the report from the department within ten working days after the receipt of the report from the
department required in subsection (2) of this section, shall notify by certified mail the owner of
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record, if ascertained, and any lienholder, if ascertained, of the fact of such report and the claim
of any lien under section 1806 and shall send a copy of such notice to the operator. The notice
shall contain information that the identified motor vehicle has been reported abandoned to the
department, the location of the motor vehicle and the location from which it was towed, and that,
unless claimed within thirty calendar days after the date the notice was sent as determined from
the postmark on the notice, the motor vehicle is subject to sale.
(b) If the responsible law enforcement agency uses an operator to store the motor vehicle,
the responsible law enforcement agency within ten working days after the receipt of the report
from the department required in subsection (2) of this section, shall notify by first class mail the
owner of record, if ascertained, and any lienholder, if ascertained, of the fact of the report and the
claim of any lien under section 1806. The notice shall contain information that the identified
motor vehicle has been reported abandoned to the department, the location of the motor vehicle
and the location from where it was towed, and that from the postmark on the notice, the motor
vehicle is subject to sale.
(c) The responsible law enforcement agency shall include in the notices sent pursuant to
either paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection (4), a statement informing the owner of record of the
opportunity to request a hearing concerning the legality of the towing of the abandoned motor
vehicle, and the responsible law enforcement agency to contact for that purpose.
(d) If an owner or lienholder requests a hearing, the owner or lienholder shall make the
request in writing to the responsible law enforcement agency within ten days after the notice was
sent, as determined by the postmark. Such hearing, if requested, shall be conducted pursuant to
the provisions of section 24-4-105, C.R.S., if the responsible law enforcement agency is the
Colorado state patrol. If a local political subdivision is the responsible law enforcement agency,
such hearing shall be conducted pursuant to local hearing procedures. If it is determined at the
hearing that the motor vehicle was illegally towed upon request from a law enforcement agency,
all towing charges and storage fees assessed against the vehicle shall be paid by such law
enforcement agency.
(5) The department shall maintain department-approved notice forms satisfying the
requirements of subsection (4) of this section and shall make them available for use by local law
enforcement agencies.
(6) (a) (I) Except as provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), an operator or its
agent shall, no less than two days, but no more than ten days after a motor vehicle has been
towed, determine who the owner is and if there is a lienholder and send a notice by certified
mail, return receipt requested, to the last address of the owner, and any lienholder, as determined
from the records of the department or from a national search performed by the department
(II) If the department conducts a national title search in accordance with paragraph (b) of
subsection (2) of this section, each day elapsing between the department being notified and the
department returning information on the motor vehicle as a result of the search does not count
against the tow operator’s ten-day deadline to contact the motor vehicle’s owner or any
lienholder. This subparagraph (II) does not affect daily storage fees.
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(III) The cost of complying with this paragraph (a) is a cost of towing; except that the
total of all costs of complying with this section shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. To
comply with this subsection (6), the notice to the owner and lienholder must be sent within five
days after the operator receives the information from the department and must contain the
following information:
(A) The fact of possession, including the date possession was taken, the location of
storage of the motor vehicle, and the location from which it was towed;
(B) The identity of the operator possessing the abandoned motor vehicle, together with
the operator’s business address and telephone number and the carrier number assigned by the
public utilities commission; and
(C) A description of the motor vehicle, including the make, model, color, and year and
the number, issuing state, and expiration date of the license plate, or any other indicia of the
motor vehicle’s state of origin.
(b) The operator shall not be entitled to recover any daily storage fees from the day the
vehicle is towed until the day the owner and lienholder are notified, unless the operator
reasonably attempts to notify the owner and lienholder by the date specified in paragraph (a) of
this subsection (6). Sending a notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner and
the lienholder as represented in department records shall be deemed a reasonable attempt to
notify the owner and the lienholder. Failure to notify the owner and the lienholder due to the
receipt of erroneous information from the department or a failure of the law enforcement agency
to comply with this section shall not cause the loss of such storage fees accrued from the date the
vehicle is towed until the owner and the lienholder receive such notice.
1805. Appraisal of abandoned motor vehicles - sale.
(1) (a) Abandoned motor vehicles or motor vehicles abandoned in an impound lot
subsequent to a tow from public property shall be appraised by a law enforcement officer or an
independent motor vehicle dealer and sold by the responsible law enforcement agency at a public
or private sale held not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days after the date the notice
required by section 42-4-1804(4), C.R.S., was mailed.
(b) Subject to section 1804, the operator may continue to charge for daily storage fees
until the responsible law enforcement agency complies with this section.
(2) If the appraised value of an abandoned motor vehicle sold pursuant to this section is
three hundred fifty dollars or less, the sale shall be made only for the purpose of junking,
scrapping, or dismantling such motor vehicle, and the purchaser thereof shall not, under any
circumstances, be entitled to a Colorado certificate of title. The responsible law enforcement
agency making the sale shall cause to be executed and delivered a bill of sale, together with a
copy of the report described in section 1804 (2), to the person purchasing such motor vehicle.
The bill of sale shall state that the purchaser acquires no right to a certificate of title for such
vehicle. The responsible law enforcement agency making the sale shall promptly submit a report
of sale, with a copy of the bill of sale, to the department and shall deliver a copy of such report of
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sale to the purchaser of the motor vehicle. Upon receipt of any report of sale with supporting
documents on any sale made pursuant to this subsection (2), the department shall purge the
records for such vehicle as provided in section 42-4-1810(1)(b), C.R.S., and shall not issue a new
certificate of title for such vehicle. Any certificate of title issued in violation of this subsection
(2) shall be void.
(3) If the appraised value of an abandoned motor vehicle sold pursuant to this section is
more than three hundred fifty dollars, the sale may be made for any intended use by the
purchaser. The responsible law enforcement agency making the sale shall cause to be executed
and delivered a bill of sale, together with a copy of the report described in section 1804 (2), and
an application for a Colorado certificate of title signed by a legally authorized representative of
the responsible law enforcement agency conducting the sale, to the person purchasing such
motor vehicle. The purchaser of the abandoned motor vehicle shall be entitled to a Colorado
certificate of title upon application and proof of compliance with the applicable provisions of the
“Certificate of Title Act”, part 1 of Code 6 of this title, within fourteen days after the sale; except
that, if such vehicle is less than five years old, including the current year model, and if the
department does not provide the name of an owner of record to the law enforcement agency, the
purchaser shall apply for a bonded title and the department shall issue such bonded title upon the
applicant meeting the qualifications for such title pursuant to rules promulgated by the
department.
(4) (a) Transferring the title of a motor vehicle to an operator to satisfy a debt created
pursuant to this part 18 shall not be deemed to be the sale of a motor vehicle.
(b) Nothing in this section requires an operator to be licensed pursuant to Part 1 of article
6 of title 12, C.R.S., for purposes of conducting activities under this part 18.
1806. Liens upon towed motor vehicles.
(1) Whenever an operator who is registered with the department in accordance with
subsection (2) of this section recovers, removes, or stores a motor vehicle upon instructions from
any duly authorized law enforcement agency or peace officer who has determined that such
motor vehicle is an abandoned motor vehicle, such operator shall have a possessory lien, subject
to the provisions of section 1804 (6), upon such motor vehicle and its attached accessories or
equipment for all fees for recovering, towing, and storage as authorized in section 1809 (2) (a).
Such lien shall be a first and prior lien on the motor vehicle, and such lien shall be satisfied
before all other charges against such motor vehicle.
(2) (a) No operator shall have a possessory lien upon a motor vehicle described in
subsection (1) of this section unless said operator is registered with the department. Such
registration shall include the following information:
(I) The location of the operator’s tow business;
(II) The hours of operation of the operator’s tow business;
(III) The location of the impound lot where vehicles may be claimed by the owner of
record; and
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(IV) Any information relating to a violation of any provision contained in this part 18 or
of any other state law or rule relating to the operation, theft, or transfer of motor vehicles.
(b) The executive director of the department may cancel the registration of any operator if
an administrative law judge finds, after affording the operator due notice and an opportunity to
be heard, that the operator has violated any of the provisions set forth in this part 18.
1807. Perfection of lien.
The lien provided for in section 1806 shall be perfected by taking physical possession of
the motor vehicle and its attached accessories or equipment and by sending to the department
within ten working days after the time possession was taken a notice containing the information
required in the report to be made under the provisions of section 1804. In addition, such report
shall contain a declaration by the operator that a possessory lien is claimed for all past, present,
and future charges, up to the date of redemption, and that the lien is enforceable and may be
foreclosed pursuant to the provisions of this part 18.
1808. Foreclosure of lien.
Any motor vehicle and its attached accessories and equipment or personal property
within or attached to such vehicle that are not redeemed by the last known owner of record or
lienholder after such owner or lienholder has been sent notice of such lien by the operator or
responsible law enforcement agency shall be sold in accordance with the provisions of section
1805.
1809. Proceeds of sale.
(1) If the sale of any motor vehicle, personal property, and its attached accessories or
equipment under the provisions of section 42-4-1805, C.R.S., produces an amount less than or
equal to the sum of all charges of the operator who has perfected his or her lien, then the operator
shall have a valid claim against the owner for the full amount of such charges, less the amount
received upon the sale of such motor vehicle. Failure to register such vehicle in accordance with
this title shall constitute a waiver of such owner’s right to be notified pursuant to this part 18 for
the purposes of foreclosure of the lien pursuant to section 1808. Such charges shall be assessed
in the manner provided for in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section.
(2) If the sale of any motor vehicle and its attached accessories or equipment under the
provisions of section 1805 produces an amount greater than the sum of all charges of the
operator who has perfected his or her lien:
(a) The entity receiving the proceeds shall first satisfy the operator’s reasonable fee
arising from the sale of the motor vehicle and the cost and fees of towing and storing the
abandoned motor vehicle, subject to a maximum charge specified in rules promulgated by the
public utilities commission that govern nonconsensual tows by towing carriers.
(b) Any balance remaining after payment pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2)
shall be paid to the responsible law enforcement agency to satisfy the cost of mailing notices,
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having an appraisal made, advertising and selling the motor vehicle, and any other costs of the
responsible law enforcement agency including administrative costs, taxes, fines, and penalties
due.
(b.5) In the case of the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle described in section 42-4-
1802(1)(d), C.R.S., any balance remaining after payment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this
subsection (2) shall be paid to the law enforcement agency that is owed a fee for the court-
ordered placement of an immobilization device on the motor vehicle pursuant to section 1105.
(c) Any balance remaining after payment pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (b.5) of this
subsection (2) shall be forwarded to the department, and the department may recover from such
balance any taxes, fees, and penalties due and payable to it with respect to such motor vehicle.
(d) Any balance remaining after payment pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection (2)
shall be paid by the department: First, to any lienholder of record as the lienholder’s interest may
appear upon the records of the department; second, to any owner of record as the owner’s
interest may so appear; and then to any person submitting proof of such person’s interest in such
motor vehicle upon the application of such lienholder, owner, or person. If such payments are not
requested and made within one hundred twenty days after the sale of the abandoned motor
vehicle, the balance shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same to the
highway users tax fund for allocation and expenditure as specified in section 43-4-205 (5.5)(e),
C.R.S.
(3) The provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) of this section shall not
apply to a responsible law enforcement agency operating under a towing contract.
1810. Transfer and purge of certificates of title.
(1) Whenever any motor vehicle is abandoned and removed and sold in accordance with
the procedures set forth in this part 18, the department shall transfer the certificate of title or
issue a new certificate of title or shall purge such certificate of title in either of the following
cases:
(a) Upon a person’s submission to the department of the necessary documents indicating
the abandonment, removal, and subsequent sale or transfer of a motor vehicle, the department
shall transfer the certificate of title or issue a new certificate of title for such abandoned motor
vehicle.
(b) Upon a person’s submission of documents indicating the abandonment, removal, and
subsequent wrecking or dismantling of a motor vehicle, including all sales of abandoned motor
vehicles with an appraised value under three hundred fifty dollars that are conducted pursuant to
section 1805 (2), the department shall keep the records for one year and then purge the records
for such abandoned motor vehicle; except that the department shall not be required to wait before
purging the records if the purchaser is a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
1811. Penalty.
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Unless otherwise specified in this part 18, any person who knowingly violates any of the
provisions of this part 18 commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in
section 18-1.3-501, C.R.S.
1812. Exemptions.
(1) Nothing in this part 18 shall be construed to include or apply to the driver of any
disabled motor vehicle who temporarily leaves such vehicle on the paved or improved and main-
traveled portion of a highway, subject, when applicable, to the emergency lighting requirements
set forth in section 230.
(2) Nothing in this part 18 shall be construed to include or apply to authorized emergency motor
vehicles while such vehicles are actually and directly engaged in, coming from, or going to an
emergency.
1813. Local regulations.
(1) The state or any county, municipality as defined in section 31-1-101 (6), C.R.S., or
other governmental entity of the state may execute a contract or contracts for the removal,
storage, or disposal of abandoned motor vehicles within the area of its authority to effectuate the
provisions of this part 18.
(2) The provisions of this part 18 may be superseded by ordinance or resolution of a
municipality, as defined in section 31-1-101, C.R.S., or any county that sets forth procedures for
the removal, storage, and disposal of abandoned or illegally parked motor vehicles on public
property; except that such ordinance or resolution shall not deprive an operator of a lien attached
and perfected under this part 18.
1814. Violation of motor vehicle registration or inspection laws - separate statutory
provision.
Owners of motor vehicles impounded by the Colorado state patrol for violation of motor
vehicle registration or inspection laws shall receive notice and the opportunity for a hearing
pursuant to the provisions of section 42-13-106, C.R.S. If such a motor vehicle is found to be
abandoned in accordance with the provisions of said section 42-13-106, C.R.S., the notice and
hearing provisions to owners of motor vehicles under other sections of this part 18 shall be
deemed to have been met for purposes of proper disposition of the motor vehicle under the terms
of this part 18. Nevertheless, the notice and hearing provisions of the other sections of this part
18 as to lienholders are applicable and shall not be deemed to have been met by the provisions of
section 42-13-106, C.R.S., or this section.
PART 19
SCHOOL BUS REQUIREMENTS
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1901. School buses - equipped with supplementary brake retarders.
(1) (a) On and after July 1, 1991, except as provided in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of
this section, passengers of any school bus being used on mountainous terrain by any school
district of the state shall not occupy the front row of seats and any seats located next to the
emergency doors of such school bus during the period of such use.
(b) For purposes of this section, mountainous terrain shall include, but shall not be
limited to, any road or street which the department of transportation has designated as being
located on mountainous terrain.
(2) (a) The provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:
(I) Passengers of any school bus which is equipped with retarders of appropriate capacity
for purposes of supplementing any service brake systems of such school bus; or
(II) Any passenger who is adequately restrained in a fixed position pursuant to federal
and state standards.
(b) The general assembly encourages school districts to consider installing only
electromagnetic retarders or state-of-the-art retarders for purposes of supplementing service
brake systems of school buses when such retarders are acquired on or after April 17, 1991. The
general assembly also encourages school districts to consider purchasing only those new school
buses which are equipped with external public address systems and retarders of appropriate
capacity for purposes of supplementing any service brake systems of such school buses.
(3) For purposes of this section and section 1902:
(a) “Mountainous terrain” means that condition where longitudinal and transverse
changes in the elevation of the ground with respect to a road or street are abrupt and where
benching and sidehill excavation are frequently required to obtain acceptable horizontal and
vertical alignment.
(b) Repealed
1902. School vehicle drivers - special training required.
On and after July 1, 1992, the driver of any school vehicle as defined in section 42-1-
102(88.5), C.R.S., owned or operated by or for any school district in this state shall have
successfully completed training, approved by the department of education, concerning driving on
mountainous terrain, as defined in section 1901 (3) (a), and driving in adverse weather
conditions.
1903. School buses - stops - signs - passing.
(1) (a) The driver of a motor vehicle upon any highway, road, or street, upon meeting or
overtaking from either direction any school bus that has stopped, shall stop the vehicle at least
twenty feet before reaching the school bus if visual signal lights as specified in subsection (2) of
this section have been actuated on the school bus. The driver shall not proceed until the visual
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signal lights are no longer being actuated. The driver of a motor vehicle shall stop when a school
bus that is not required to be equipped with visual signal lights by subsection (2) of this section
stops to receive or discharge schoolchildren.
(b) (I) A driver of any school bus who observes a violation of paragraph (a) of this
subsection (1) shall notify the driver’s school district transportation dispatcher. The school bus
driver shall provide the school district transportation dispatcher with the color, basic description,
and license plate number of the vehicle involved in the violation, information pertaining to the
identity of the alleged violator, and the time and the approximate location at which the violation
occurred. Any school district transportation dispatcher who has received information by a school
bus driver concerning a violation of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) shall provide such
information to the appropriate law enforcement agency or agencies.
(II) A law enforcement agency may issue a citation on the basis of the information
supplied to it pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b) to the driver of the vehicle
involved in the violation.
(2) (a) Every school bus as defined in section 42-1-102 (88), C.R.S., other than a small
passenger-type vehicle having a seating capacity of not more than fifteen, used for the
transportation of schoolchildren shall:
(I) Bear upon the front and rear of such school bus plainly visible and legible signs
containing the words “SCHOOL BUS” in letters not less than eight inches in height; and
(II) Display eight visual signal lights meeting the requirements of 49 CFR 571.108 or its
successor regulation.
(b) (I) The red visual signal lights shall be actuated by the driver of the school bus
whenever the school bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging schoolchildren, is
stopped because it is behind another school bus that is receiving or discharging passengers, or,
except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, is stopped because it has met a school bus
traveling in a different direction that is receiving or discharging passengers and at no other time;
but such lights need not be actuated when a school bus is stopped at locations where the local
traffic regulatory authority has by prior written designation declared such actuation unnecessary.
(II) A school bus shall be exempt from the provisions of subparagraph (I) of this
paragraph (b) when stopped for the purpose of discharging or loading passengers who require the
assistance of a lift device only when no passenger is required to cross the roadway. Such buses
shall stop as far to the right off the roadway as possible to reduce obstruction to traffic.
(c) The alternating flashing yellow lights shall be actuated at least two hundred feet prior
to the point where the bus is to be stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging
schoolchildren, and the red lights shall be actuated only at the time the bus is actually stopped.
(3) Every school bus used for the transportation of schoolchildren, except those small
passenger- type vehicles described in subsection (1) of this section, shall be equipped with
school bus pedestrian safety devices that comply with 49 CFR 571.131 or its successor
regulation.
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(4) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon
meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway. For the purposes of this section,
“highway with separate roadways” means a highway that is divided into two or more roadways
by a depressed, raised, or painted median or other intervening space serving as a clearly
indicated dividing section or island.
(5) Every school bus shall stop as far to the right of the roadway as possible before
discharging or loading passengers; except that the school bus may block the lane of traffic when
a passenger being received or discharged is required to cross the roadway. When possible, a
school bus shall not stop where the visibility is obscured for a distance of two hundred feet either
way from the bus. The driver of a school bus that has stopped shall allow time for any vehicles
that have stopped behind the school bus to pass the school bus, if such passing is legally
permissible where the school bus is stopped, after the visual signal lights, if any, are no longer
being displayed or actuated and after all children who have embarked or disembarked from the
bus are safe from traffic.
(6) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (6), any person who violates
any provision of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor
traffic offense.
(b) Any person who violates the provisions of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this
section commits a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense if such person has been convicted within
the previous five years of a violation of paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of this section.
(7) The provisions of this section shall not apply in the case of public transportation
programs for pupil transportation under section 22-51-104 (1) (c), C.R.S.
1904. Regulations for school buses - regulations on discharge of passengers - penalty -
exception.
(1) The state board of education, by and with the advice of the executive director of the
department, shall adopt and enforce regulations not inconsistent with this Code to govern the
operation of all school buses used for the transportation of schoolchildren and to govern the
discharge of passengers from such school buses. Such regulations shall prohibit the driver
of any school bus used for the transportation of schoolchildren from discharging any passenger
from the school bus which will result in the passenger’s immediately crossing a major
thoroughfare, except for two-lane highways when such crossing can be done in a safe manner, as
determined by the local school board in consultation with the local traffic regulatory authority,
and shall prohibit the discharging or loading of passengers from the school bus onto the side of
any major thoroughfare whenever access to the destination of the passenger is possible by the
use of a road or street which is adjacent to the major thoroughfare. For the purposes of this
section, a “major thoroughfare” means a freeway, any U.S. highway outside any incorporated
limit, interstate highway, or highway with four or more lanes, or a highway or road with a
median separating multiple lanes of traffic. Every person operating a school bus or responsible
for or in control of the operation of school buses shall be subject to said regulations.
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(2) Any person operating a school bus under contract with a school district who fails to
comply with any of said regulations is guilty of breach of contract, and such contract shall be
cancelled after notice and hearing by the responsible officers of such district.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and,
upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than
one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both
such fine and imprisonment.
(4) The provisions of this section shall not apply in the case of public transportation
programs for pupil transportation under section 22-51-104 (1) (c), C.R.S.
APPENDICES
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Code, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Acceleration lane" means a speed-change lane, including tapered areas, for the purpose of
enabling a vehicle entering a roadway to increase its speed to a rate at which it can more safely
merge with through traffic.
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(2) "Administrator" means the property tax administrator.
(3) "Alley" means a street or highway intended to provide access to the rear or side of lots or
buildings in urban areas and not intended for the purpose of through vehicular traffic.
(4) "Apportioned registration" means registration of a vehicle pursuant to a reciprocal
agreement under which the fees paid for registration of such vehicle are ultimately divided
among the several jurisdictions in which the vehicle travels, based upon the number of miles
traveled by the vehicle in each jurisdiction or upon some other agreed criterion.
(4.5) "Appurtenance" means a piece of equipment that is affixed or attached to a motor vehicle
or trailer and is used for a specific purpose or task, including awnings, support hardware, and
extractable equipment. "Appurtenance" does not include any item or equipment that is
temporarily affixed or attached to the exterior of a motor vehicle for the purpose of transporting
such vehicle.
(5) "Authorized agent" means the county clerk and recorder in each county in the state of
Colorado, the clerk and recorder in the city and county of Broomfield, and the manager of
revenue or such other official of the city and county of Denver as may be appointed by the mayor
to perform the functions related to the registration of, titling of, or filing of liens on motor
vehicles, wheeled trailers, semitrailers, trailer coaches, special mobile machinery, off-highway
vehicles, and manufactured homes.
(6) "Authorized emergency vehicle" means such vehicles of the fire department, police
vehicles, ambulances, and other special-purpose vehicles as are publicly owned and operated by
or for a governmental agency to protect and preserve life and property in accordance with state
laws regulating emergency vehicles; said term also means the following if equipped and operated
as emergency vehicles in the manner prescribed by state law:
(a) Privately owned vehicles as are designated by the state motor vehicle licensing agency
necessary to the preservation of life and property; or
(b) Privately owned tow trucks approved by the public utilities commission to respond to vehicle
emergencies
(7) "Authorized service vehicle" means such highway or traffic maintenance vehicles as are
publicly owned and operated on a highway by or for a governmental agency the function of
which requires the use of service vehicle warning lights as prescribed by state law and such other
vehicles having a public service function, including, but not limited to, public utility vehicles and
tow trucks, as determined by the department of transportation under section 42-4-214(5), C.R.S.
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Some vehicles may be designated as both an authorized emergency vehicle and an authorized
service vehicle.
(7.5) "Autocycle" means a three-wheeled motorcycle that does not use handlebars or any other
device that is directly connected to a single front wheel to steer and in which the driver and each
passenger ride in a fully or partly enclosed seating area that is equipped with safety belts for all
occupants that constitute a safety belt system, as defined in section 42-4-237(1)(b), C.R.S. For
purposes of this subsection (7.5), “partly enclosed seating area” means a seating area that is
entirely or partly surrounded on the sides by the frame or body of a vehicle but is not fully
enclosed.
(7.7) “Automated driving system” means hardware and software that are collectively capable,
without any intervention or supervision by a human operator, of performing all aspects of the
dynamic driving task for a vehicle on a part-time or full-time basis, described as levels 4 and 5
automation in SAE International’s standard J3016, as it existed in September 2016.
(8) "Automobile" means any motor vehicle.
(8.5) "BAC" means either:
(a) A person's blood alcohol content, expressed in grams of alcohol per one hundred milliliters of
blood as shown by analysis of the person's blood; or
(b) A person's breath alcohol content, expressed in grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of
breath as shown by analysis of the person's breath.
(9) "Base jurisdiction" means the state, province, or other jurisdiction which receives,
apportions, and remits to other jurisdictions moneys paid for registration of a vehicle pursuant to
a reciprocal agreement governing registration of vehicles.
(10) "Bicycle" means a vehicle propelled by human power applied to pedals upon which a
person may ride having two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward wheel, all of
which are more than fourteen inches in diameter.
(10.5) "Bulk electronic transfer" means the mass electronic transfer of files, updated files, or
portions thereof, in the same form as those files exist within the department.
(11) "Business district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within
any six hundred feet along such highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial
purposes, including but not limited to motels, banks, office buildings, railroad stations, and
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public buildings which occupy at least three hundred feet of frontage on one side or three
hundred feet collectively on both sides of the highway.
(12) "Calendar year" means the twelve calendar months beginning January 1 and ending
December 31 of any year.
(13) "Camper coach" means an item of mounted equipment, weighing more than five hundred
pounds, which when temporarily or permanently mounted on a motor vehicle adapts such vehicle
for use as temporary living or sleeping accommodations.
(14) "Camper trailer" means a wheeled vehicle having an overall length of less than twenty-six
feet, without motive power, which is designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle over the public
highways and which is generally and commonly used for temporary living or sleeping
accommodations.
(15) "Chauffeur" means every person who is employed for the principal purpose of operating a
motor vehicle and every person who drives a motor vehicle while in use as a public or common
carrier of persons or property.
(16) "Classified personal property" means any personal property which has been classified for
the purpose of imposing thereon a graduated annual specific ownership tax.
(16.5) “Colorado DRIVES” is an acronym that stands for “Colorado driver’s license, record,
identification, and vehicle enterprise solution” and means the driver and vehicle services
information technology system that the department uses to provide driver, identification, and
vehicle title registration services to Colorado residents.
(17) "Commercial carrier" means any owner of a motor vehicle, truck, laden or unladen truck
tractor, trailer, or semitrailer used in the business of transporting persons or property over the
public highways for profit, hire, or otherwise in any business or commercial enterprise.
(17.5) "Commercial vehicle" means a vehicle used to transport cargo or passengers for profit,
hire, or otherwise to further the purposes of a business or commercial enterprise. This subsection
(17.5) shall not apply for purposes of sections 42-4-235 and 42-4-707(1), C.R.S.
(18) "Controlled-access highway" means every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which
owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from
the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public
authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway.
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(19) "Convicted" or "conviction" means:
(a) A plea of guilty or nolo contendere;
(b) A verdict of guilty;
(c) An adjudication of delinquency under title 19, C.R.S.;
(d) The payment of a penalty assessment under section 42-4-1701, C.R.S., or this Code, if the
summons states clearly the points to be assessed for the offense; and
(e) As to a holder of a commercial driver's license as defined in section 42-2-402, C.R.S., or the
operator of a commercial motor vehicle as defined in section 42-2-402, C.R.S.:
(I) An unvacated adjudication of guilt or a determination by an authorized administrative hearing
that a person has violated or failed to comply with the law;
(II) An unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the person's appearance in
court;
(III) The payment of a fine or court cost or violation of a condition of release without bail,
regardless of whether or not the penalty is rebated, suspended, or probated; or
(IV) A deferred sentence.
(20) "Court" means any municipal court, county court, district court, or any court having
jurisdiction over offenses against traffic regulations and laws.
(21) "Crosswalk" means that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation
or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections or any portion of a roadway
distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other marking on the surface.
(22) "Dealer" means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging
vehicles of a type required to be registered under articles 1 to 4 of title 42, C.R.S., and who has
an established place of business for such purpose in this state.
(23) "Deceleration lane" means a speed-change lane, including tapered areas, for the purpose of
enabling a vehicle that is to make an exit to turn from a roadway to slow to the safe speed on the
ramp ahead after it has left the mainstream of faster-moving traffic.
(23.5) "Declared gross vehicle weight" means the combined weight of the vehicle or
combination vehicle and its cargo when operated on the public highways of this state. Such
weight shall be declared by the vehicle owner at the time the vehicle is registered. Accurate
records shall be kept of all miles operated by each vehicle over the public highways of this state
by the owner of each vehicle.
(24) "Department" means the Department of Revenue of this state acting directly or through its
duly authorized officers and agents.
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(24.5) "Distinctive special license plate" means a special license plate that is issued to a person
because such person has an immutable characteristic or special achievement honor. Such special
achievement honor shall not include a common achievement such as graduating from an
institution of higher education. Such special achievement shall include honorable service in the
armed forces of the United States. "Distinctive special license plate" shall include a license plate
that is issued to a person or the person's family to honor such person's service in the armed
forces.
(25) "Divided highway" means a highway with separated roadways usually for traffic moving
in opposite directions, such separation being indicated by depressed dividing strips, raised
curbings, traffic islands, or other physical barriers so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic or
otherwise indicated by standard pavement markings or other official traffic control devices as
prescribed in the state traffic control manual.
(26) "Drive-away transporter" or "tow-away transporter" means every person engaged in
the transporting of vehicles which are sold or to be sold and not owned by such transporter, by
the drive-away or tow-away methods, where such vehicles are driven, towed, or transported
singly, or by saddlemount, towbar, or fullmount methods, or by any lawful combination thereof.
(27) "Driver" means every person, including a minor driver under the age of twenty-one years,
who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
(27.3) "DUI" means driving under the influence, as defined in section 42-4-1301(1)(f), C.R.S.,
and use of the term shall incorporate by reference the offense described in section 42-4-
1301(1)(a), C.R.S.
(27.5) "DUI per se" means driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more, and use of the term shall
incorporate by reference the offense described in section 42-4-1301(2)(a), C.R.S.
(27.7) "DWAI" means driving while ability impaired, as defined in section 42-4-1301(1)(g)
C.R.S., and use of the term shall incorporate by reference the offense described in section 42-4-
1301(1)(b), C.R.S.
(27.8) (a) “Dynamic driving task” means all of the following aspects of driving:
(I) Operational aspects, including steering, braking, accelerating, and monitoring the vehicle and
the roadway; and
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(II) Tactical aspects, including responding to events, determining when to change lanes, turning,
using signals, and other related actions.
(b) “Dynamic driving task” does not include strategic aspects, including determining destinations
or way points, of driving.
(28) "Effective date of registration period certificate" means the month in which a fleet
owner must register all fleet vehicles.
(28.5) "Electrical assisted bicycle" means a vehicle having two or three wheels and fully
operable pedals, and an electric motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power.
Electrical assisted bicycles are further required to conform to one of three classes as follows:
(a) “Class 1 electrical assisted bicycle” means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a
motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour.
(b) “Class 2 electrical assisted bicycle” means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a
motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour.
(c) “Class 3 electrical assisted bicycle” means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a
motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour.
(28.7) "Electric personal assistive mobility device" or "EPAMD" means a self-balancing,
nontandem two-wheeled device, designed to transport only one person, that is powered solely by
an electric propulsion system producing an average power output of no more than seven hundred
fifty watts.
(28.8)
(a) “Electric scooter” means a device:
(I) Weighing less than one hundred pounds;
(II) With handlebars and an electric motor;
(III) That is powered by an electric motor; and
(IV) That has a maximum speed of twenty miles per hour on a paved level surface when
powered solely by the electric motor.
(b) “Electric scooter” does not include an electrical assisted bicycle, EPAMD, motorcycle, or
low-power scooter.
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(29) "Empty weight" means the weight of any motor vehicle or trailer or any combination
thereof, including the operating body and accessories, as determined by weighing on a scale
approved by the department.
(30) "Essential parts" means all integral parts and body parts, the removal, alteration, or
substitution of which will tend to conceal the identity or substantially alter the appearance of the
vehicle.
(31) "Established place of business" means the place actually occupied either continuously or
at regular periods by a dealer or manufacturer where such dealer's or manufacturer's books and
records are kept and a large share of his or her business transacted.
(31.5) “Exceptions processing” means the procedures the department uses to assist persons
who are unable for reasons beyond their control to present all the necessary documents required
by the department and must rely on alternative documents to establish identity, date of birth, or
United States citizenship in lieu of lawful presence in the United States.
(32) "Explosives and hazardous materials" means any substance so defined by the code of
federal regulations, title 49, chapter 1, parts 173.50 through 173.389.
(33) "Farm tractor" means every implement of husbandry designed and used primarily as a
farm implement for drawing plows and mowing machines and other implements of husbandry.
(34) "Flammable liquid" means any liquid which has a flash point of seventy degrees
Fahrenheit or less, as determined by a Tagliabue or equivalent closed-cup test device.
(35) "Fleet operator" means any resident who owns or leases ten or more motor vehicles,
trailers, or pole trailers and who receives from the department a registration period certificate in
accordance with article 3 of title 42, C.R.S.
(36) "Fleet vehicle" means any motor vehicle, trailer, or pole trailer owned or leased by a fleet
operator and registered pursuant to section 42-3-125, C.R.S.
(37) "Foreign vehicle" means every motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer which is brought into
this state otherwise than in the ordinary course of business by or through a manufacturer or
dealer and which has not been registered in this state.
(38) "Fullmount" means a vehicle which is mounted completely on the frame of the first
vehicle or last vehicle in a saddlemount combination.
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(39) "Garage" means any public building or place of business for the storage or repair of
automobiles.
(39.5) "Golf car" means a self-propelled vehicle not designed primarily for operation on
roadways and that has:
(a) A design speed of less than twenty miles per hour;
(b) At least three wheels in contact with the ground;
(c) An empty weight of not more than one thousand three hundred pounds; and
(d) A carrying capacity of not more than four persons.
(40) "Graduated annual specific ownership tax" means an annual tax imposed in lieu of an ad
valorem tax upon the personal property required to be classified by the general assembly
pursuant to the provisions of section 6 of article X of the state constitution.
(41) "Gross dollar volume" means the total contracted cost of work performed or put in place
in a given county by the owner or operator of special mobile machinery.
(41.5) "Group special license plate" means a special license plate that is not a distinctive plate
and is issued to a group of people because such people have a common interest or affinity.
(42) "High occupancy vehicle lane" means a lane designated pursuant to the provisions of
section 42-4-1012(1), C.R.S., or this Code.
(43) "Highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly
maintained when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel
or the entire width of every way declared to be a public highway by any law of this state.
(43.3) “Human operator” means a natural person in the vehicle with immediate access to
controls for steering, braking, and acceleration.
(43.5) "Immediate family" means a person who is related by blood, marriage, or adoption.
(44) (a) On and after July 1, 2000, "Implement of husbandry" means every vehicle that is
designed, adapted, or used for agricultural purposes. It also includes equipment used solely for
the application of liquid, gaseous, and dry fertilizers. Transportation of fertilizer, in or on the
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equipment used for its application, shall be deemed a part of application if it is incidental to such
application. It also includes hay balers, hay stacking equipment, combines, tillage and harvesting
equipment, agricultural commodity handling equipment, and other heavy movable farm
equipment primarily used on farms or in a livestock production facility and not on the highways.
Trailers specially designed to move such equipment on highways shall, for the purposes of part 5
of article 4 of this title, be considered as component parts of such implements of husbandry.
(b) Effective July 1, 2013, for purposes of this section, "implements of husbandry" includes
personal property valued by the county assessor as silvicultural.
(45) "Intersection" means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines or,
if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another
at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different
highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. Where a highway includes two
roadways thirty feet or more apart, every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by
an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event such
intersecting highway also includes two roadways thirty feet or more apart, every crossing of two
roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection. The junction of an alley
with a street or highway does not constitute an intersection.
(45.5) "Kit vehicle" means a passenger-type motor vehicle assembled, by other than a licensed
manufacturer, from a manufactured kit that includes a prefabricated body and chassis and is
accompanied by a manufacturer's statement of origin.
(46) "Lane" means the portion of a roadway for the movement of a single line of vehicles.
(47) "Laned highway" means a highway the roadway of which is divided into two or more
clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
(47.3) “Last-known address” means:
(a) For notifications regarding motor vehicles, the most recent mailing address provided on a
vehicle registration or vehicle registration mailing address change notification provided in
accordance with section 42-3-113, C.R.S., or the corrected address as reported by an address
correction service licensed by the United States postal service;
(b) For notifications regarding driving privileges, driver’s licenses, or identification cards when
there is a driver’s license or identification card on file with the department, the most recent of
either:
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(I) The mailing address provided by an applicant for a driver’s license or identification card;
(II) The mailing address stated on an address change notification provided to the department
pursuant to subsection (47.3)(a) of this section; or
(III) The corrected address as reported by an address correction service licensed by the United
States postal service;
(c) For notifications regarding driving privileges or identification cards when there is no driver’s
license or identification card on file with the department, the most recent address shown on any
other record on file with the department pursuant to this article 1 and as may be corrected by an
address correction service licensed by the United States postal service.
(47.5) "Lien" means a security interest in a motor or off-highway vehicle under article 9 of title
4, C.R.S., and this article.
(48) "Local authorities" means every county, municipal, and other local board or body having
authority to adopt local police regulations under the constitution and laws of this state.
(48.5) (a) "Low-power scooter" means a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on
the roadways with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, no manual clutch, and
either of the following:
(I) A cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters if powered by internal combustion;
or
(II) A wattage not exceeding four thousand four hundred seventy-six if powered by electricity.
(b) "Low-power scooter" shall not include a toy vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle,
wheelchair, or any device designed to assist mobility-impaired people who use pedestrian rights-
of-way.
(48.6) "Low-speed electric vehicle" means a vehicle that:
(a) Is self-propelled utilizing electricity as its primary propulsion method;
(b) Has at least three wheels in contact with the ground;
(c) Does not use handlebars to steer; and
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(d) Exhibits the manufacturer's compliance with 49 CFR 565 or displays a seventeen-character
vehicle identification number as provided in 49 CFR 565.
(49) "Manufacturer" means any person, firm, association, corporation, or trust, whether
resident or nonresident, who manufactures or assembles new and unused motor vehicles of a
type required to be registered under articles 1 to 4 of this title.
(50) "Manufacturer's suggested retail price" means the retail price of such motor vehicle
suggested by the manufacturer plus the retail price suggested by the manufacturer for each
accessory or item of optional equipment physically attached to such vehicle prior to the sale to
the retail purchaser.
(51) "Markings" means all lines, patterns, words, colors, or other devices, except signs, set into
the surface of, applied upon, or attached to the pavement or curbing or to objects within or
adjacent to the roadway, conforming to the state traffic control manual and officially placed for
the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
(52) "Metal tires" means all tires the surface of which in contact with the highway is wholly or
partly of metal or other hard, nonresilient material.
(52.5) "Military vehicle" means a vehicle of any size or weight that is valued for historical
purposes, that was manufactured for use by any nation's armed forces, and that is maintained in a
condition that represents its military design and markings.
(53) "Minor driver's license" means the license issued to a person who is at least sixteen years
of age but who has not yet attained the age of twenty-one years.
(54) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2010, (HB 10-1172), ch. 320, p. 1486, § 1, effective October 1,
2010.)
(55) "Motorcycle" means an autocycle or a motor vehicle that uses handlebars or any other
device connected to the front wheel to steer and that is designed to travel on not more than three
wheels in contact with the ground, except that the term does not include a farm tractor, low-
speed electric vehicle, or low-power scooter.
(56) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (HB 09-1026), ch.281, p. 1260, § 22, effective October 1,
2009).
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(57) "Motor home" means a vehicle designed to provide temporary living quarters and which is
built into, as an integral part of or a permanent attachment to, a motor vehicle chassis or van.
(58) "Motor vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle that is designed primarily for travel on
the public highways and that is generally and commonly used to transport persons and property
over the public highways or a low-speed electric vehicle; except that the term does not include
electrical assisted bicycles, low-power scooters, wheelchairs, or vehicles moved solely by human
power. For the purposes of the offenses described in sections 42-2-128, 42-4-1301, 42-4-1301.1,
and 42-4-1401, C.R.S., for farm tractors and off-highway vehicles, as defined in section 33-14.5-
101 (3), C.R.S., operated on streets and highways, "motor vehicle" includes a farm tractor or an
off-highway vehicle that is not otherwise classified as a motor vehicle. For the purposes of
sections 42-2-127, 42-2-127.7, 42-2-128, 42-2-138, 42-2-206, 42-4-1301, and 42-4-1301.1,
C.R.S., "motor vehicle" includes a low-power scooter..
(59) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (HB 09-1026), ch. 281, p. 1260, § 22, effective October
1, 2009.)
(60) "Mounted equipment" means any item weighing more than five hundred pounds that is
permanently mounted on a vehicle, including mounting by means such as welding or bolting the
equipment to a vehicle.
(60.3) "Multipurpose trailer" means a wheeled vehicle, without motive power, that is designed
to be drawn by a motor vehicle over the public highways. A "multipurpose trailer" is generally
and commonly used for temporary living or sleeping accommodation and transporting property
wholly upon its own structure and is registered as a vehicle.
(60.5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2009, (SB 09-075), ch. 418, p. 2320, § 4, effective August 5,
2009.)
(61) "Noncommercial or recreational vehicle" means a truck, or unladen truck tractor,
operated singly or in combination with a trailer or utility trailer or a motor home, which truck, or
unladen truck tractor, or motor home is used exclusively for personal pleasure, enjoyment, other
recreational purposes, or personal or family transportation of the owner, lessee, or occupant and
is not used to transport cargo or passengers for profit, hire, or otherwise to further the purposes
of a business or commercial enterprise.
(62) "Nonresident" means every person who is not a resident of this state.
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(63) "Off-highway vehicle" shall have the same meaning as set forth in section 33-14.5-101 (3),
C.R.S.
(64) "Official traffic control devices" means all signs, signals, markings, and devices, not
inconsistent with this title, placed or displayed by authority of a public body or official having
jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
(65) "Official traffic control signal" means any device, whether manually, electrically, or
mechanically operated, by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and to proceed.
(66) "Owner" means a person who holds the legal title of a vehicle; or, if a vehicle is the subject
of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon
performance of the conditions stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession
vested in the conditional vendee or lessee or if a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession,
then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose
of articles 1 to 4 of title 42, C.R.S. The term also includes parties otherwise having lawful use or
control or the right to use or control a vehicle for a period of thirty days or more.
(67) "Park" or "parking" means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than
very briefly for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or
passengers.
(68) "Pedestrian" means any person afoot or any person using a wheelchair.
(68.5) (a) "Persistent drunk driver" means any person who:
(I) Has been convicted of or had his or her driver's license revoked for two or more alcohol-
related driving violations;
(II) Continues to drive after a driver's license or driving privilege restraint has been imposed for
one or more alcohol-related driving offenses;
(III) Drives a motor vehicle while the amount of alcohol in such person's blood, as shown by
analysis of the person's blood or breath, was 0.15 or more grams of alcohol per one hundred
milliliters of blood or 0.15 or more grams of alcohol per two hundred ten liters of breath at the
time of driving or within two hours after driving; or
(IV) Refuses to take or complete, or to cooperate in the completing of, a test of his or her blood,
breath, saliva, or urine as required by section 18-3-106(4) or 18-3-205(4), C.R.S., or section 42-
4-1301.1(2), C.R.S.
(b) Nothing in this subsection (68.5) shall be interpreted to affect the penalties imposed under
this title for multiple alcohol- or drug-related driving offenses, including, but not limited to,
penalties imposed for violations under sections 42-2-125(1)(g) and (1) (i) and 42-2-202(2),
C.R.S.
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(69) "Person" means a natural person, estate, trust, firm, copartnership, association, corporation,
or business entity.
(70) "Pneumatic tires" means all tires inflated with compressed air.
(71) "Pole," "pipe trailer," or "dolly" means every vehicle of the trailer type having one or
more axles not more than forty-eight inches apart and two or more wheels used in connection
with a motor vehicle solely for the purpose of transporting poles or pipes and connected with the
towing vehicle both by chain, rope, or cable and by the load without any part of the weight of
said dolly resting upon the towing vehicle. All the registration provisions of articles 1 to 4 of title
42, C.R.S., shall apply to every pole, pipe trailer, or dolly.
(72) "Police officer" means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make
arrests for violations of traffic regulations.
(72.2) "Power takeoff equipment" means equipment that is attached to a motor vehicle and is
powered by the motor that powers the locomotion of the motor vehicle.
(72.5) "Primary user" means an organization that collects bulk data for the purpose of in-house
business use.
(72.7) "Principal office" means the office in this state designated by a fleet owner as its
principal place of business.
(73) "Private road" or "driveway" means every road or driveway not open to the use of the
public for purposes of vehicular travel.
(74) Repealed.
(75) "Railroad sign or signal" means any sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a public
body or official or by a railroad and intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or
the approach of a railroad train.
(76) "Reciprocal agreement" or "reciprocity" means an agreement among two or more states,
provinces, or other jurisdictions for coordinated, shared, or mutual enforcement or administration
of laws relating to the registration, operation, or taxation of vehicles and other personal property
in interstate commerce. The term includes without limitation the "international registration plan"
and any successor agreement providing for the apportionment, among participating jurisdictions,
of vehicle registration fees or taxes.
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(77) "Reconstructed vehicle" means any vehicle which has been assembled or constructed
largely by means of essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of
vehicles of various names, models, and types or which, if originally otherwise constructed, has
been materially altered by the removal of essential parts or by the addition or substitution of
essential parts, new or used, derived from other vehicles or makes of vehicles.
(78) "Registration period" or "registration year" means any consecutive twelve-month
period.
(79) "Registration period certificate" means the document issued by the department to a fleet
owner, upon application of a fleet owner, which states the month in which registration is required
for all motor vehicles owned by the fleet owner.
(80) "Residence district" means the territory contiguous to and including a highway not
comprising a business district when the frontage on such highway for a distance of three hundred
feet or more is mainly occupied by dwellings or by dwellings and buildings in use for business.
(81) "Resident" means any person who owns or operates any business in this state or any person
who has resided within this state continuously for a period of ninety days or has obtained gainful
employment within this state, whichever shall occur first.
(82) "Right-of-way" means the right of one vehicle operator or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful
manner in preference to another vehicle operator or pedestrian approaching under such
circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one
grants precedence to the other.
(83) "Road" means any highway.
(84) "Road tractor" means every motor vehicle designed and used for drawing other vehicles
and not so constructed as to carry any load thereon independently or any part of the weight of a
vehicle or load so drawn.
(85) "Roadway" means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for
vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk, berm, or shoulder even though such sidewalk, berm,
or shoulder is used by persons riding bicycles or other human-powered vehicles and exclusive of
that portion of a highway designated for exclusive use as a bicycle path or reserved for the
exclusive use of bicycles, human-powered vehicles, or pedestrians. In the event that a highway
includes two or more separate roadways, "roadway" refers to any such roadway separately but
not to all such roadways collectively.
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(86) "Saddlemount combination" means a combination of vehicles in which a truck or laden or
unladen truck tractor tows one or more additional trucks or laden or unladen truck tractors and in
which each such towed truck or laden or unladen truck tractor is connected by a saddle to the
frame or fifth wheel of the vehicle immediately in front of such truck or laden or unladen truck
tractor. For the purposes of this subsection (86), "saddle" means a mechanism which connects
the front axle of a towed vehicle to the frame or fifth wheel of a vehicle immediately in front of
such towed vehicle and which functions like a fifth wheel kingpin connection. A saddlemount
combination may include one fullmount.
(87) "Safety zone" means the area or space officially set aside within a highway for the
exclusive use of pedestrians and which is so plainly marked or indicated by proper signs as to be
plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
(88) "School bus" means a motor vehicle that is designed and used specifically for the
transportation of school children to or from a public or private school or a school-related activity,
whether the activity occurs within or without the territorial limits of any district and whether or
not the activity occurs during school hours. “School bus” does not include informal or
intermittent arrangements, such as sharing of actual gasoline expense or participation in a car
pool, for the transportation of school children to or from a public or private school or a school-
related activity.
(88.5) (a) "School vehicle" means a motor vehicle, including but not limited to a school bus,
that is owned by or under contract to a public or private school and operated for the
transportation of school children to or from school or a school-related activity.
(b) "School vehicle" does not include:
(I) Informal or intermittent arrangements, such as sharing of actual gasoline expense or
participation in a car pool, for the transportation of school children to or from a public or private
school or a school-related activity; or
(II) A motor vehicle that is owned by or under contract to a child care center, as defined in
section 26-6-102 (5), C.R.S., and that is used for the transportation of children who are served by
the child care center.
(89) "Semitrailer" means any wheeled vehicle, without motor power, designed to be used in
conjunction with a laden or unladen truck tractor so that some part of its own weight and that of
its cargo load rests upon or is carried by such laden or unladen truck tractor and that is generally
and commonly used to carry and transport property over the public highways.
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(90) "Sidewalk" means that portion of a street between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a
roadway and the adjacent property lines intended for the use of pedestrians.
(91) "Snowplow" means any vehicle originally designed for highway snow and ice removal or
control or subsequently adapted for such purposes which is operated by or for the state of
Colorado or any political subdivision thereof.
(92) "Solid rubber tires" means every tire made of rubber other than a pneumatic tire.
(93) "Specially constructed vehicle" means any vehicle which has not been originally
constructed under a distinctive name, make, model, or type by a generally recognized
manufacturer of vehicles.
(93.5) (a) "Special mobile machinery" means machinery that is pulled, hauled, or driven over a
highway and is either:
(I) A vehicle or equipment that is not designed primarily for the transportation of persons or
cargo over the public highways; or
(II) A motor vehicle that may have been originally designed for the transportation of persons or
cargo over the public highways, and has been redesigned or modified by the addition of mounted
equipment or machinery, and is only incidentally operated or moved over the public highways.
(b) "Special mobile machinery" includes vehicles commonly used in the construction,
maintenance, and repair of roadways, the drilling of wells, and the digging of ditches.
(94) "Stand" or "standing" means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than
momentarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging
passengers.
(95) "State" means a state, territory, organized or unorganized, or district of the United States.
(96) "State motor vehicle licensing agency" means the department of revenue.
(97) "State traffic control manual" means the most recent edition of the "Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways", including any supplement thereto, as adopted
by the transportation commission.
(98) "Steam and electric trains" includes:
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(a) "Railroad", which means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than street cars,
operated upon stationary rails;
(b) "Railroad train", which means a steam engine, electric, or other motor, with or without cars
coupled thereto, operated upon rails, except streetcars;
(c) "Streetcar", which means a car other than a railroad train for transporting persons or
property upon rails principally within a municipality.
(99) "Stinger-steered" means a semitrailer combination configuration wherein the fifth wheel is
located on a drop frame located behind and below the rearmost axle of the power unit.
(100) "Stop" or "stopping" means, when prohibited, any halting, even momentarily, of a
vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in
compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device.
(101) "Stop line" or "limit line" means a line which indicates where drivers shall stop when
directed by an official traffic control device or a police officer.
(101.5) "Street rod vehicle" means a vehicle manufactured in 1948 or earlier with a body
design that has been modified for safe road use.
(102) "Supervisor" means the executive director of the department of revenue or head of a
group, division, or subordinate department appointed by the executive director in accordance
with article 35 of title 24, C.R.S.
(102.5) "Surge brakes" means a system whereby the brakes of a trailer are actuated as a result
of the forward pressure of the trailer against the tow vehicle during deceleration.
(102.7) "Temporary special event license plate" means a special license plate valid for a
limited time period that is issued to a person or group of people in connection with a special
event. "Temporary special event license plate" does not mean a special plate for the purposes of
section 42-3-207, C.R.S.
(103) "Through highway" means every highway or portion thereof on which vehicular traffic is
given preferential right-of-way and at the entrances to which other vehicular traffic from
intersecting highways is required by law to yield the right-of-way to vehicles on such through
highway in obedience to a stop sign, yield sign, or other official traffic control device when such
signs or devices are erected as provided by law.
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(103.5) (a) "Toy vehicle" means any vehicle, that has wheels and is not designed for use on
public highways or for off-road use.
(b) "Toy vehicle" includes, but is not limited to, gas-powered or electric-powered vehicles
commonly known as mini bikes, "pocket" bikes, kamikaze boards, go-peds, and stand-up
scooters.
(c) “Toy vehicle” does not include off-highway vehicles or snowmobiles.
(104) "Traffic" means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, and vehicles, streetcars, and other
conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for the purposes of travel.
(104.5) “Traffic Investigation or Survey” means a documented, data driven, comprehensive
analysis using methods consistent with an Engineering Study as defined in the latest edition of
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(105) "Trailer" means any wheeled vehicle, without motive power, which is designed to be
drawn by a motor vehicle and to carry its cargo load wholly upon its own structure and that is
generally and commonly used to carry and transport property over the public highways. The
term includes, but is not limited to, multipurpose trailers as defined in subsection (60.3) of this
section.
(106) (a) "Trailer coach" means a wheeled vehicle having an overall length, excluding towing
gear and bumpers, of not less than twenty-six feet, without motive power, that is designed and
generally and commonly used for occupancy by persons for residential purposes, in temporary
locations, and that may occasionally be drawn over the public highways by a motor vehicle and
is licensed as a vehicle.
(b) "Manufactured home" means any preconstructed building unit or combination of
preconstructed building units, without motive power, where such unit or units are manufactured
in a factory or at a location other than the residential site of the completed home, which is
designed and commonly used for occupancy by persons for residential purposes, in either
temporary or permanent locations, and which unit or units are not licensed as a vehicle.
(107) "Transporter" means every person engaged in the business of delivering vehicles of a
type required to be registered under articles 1 to 4 of this title from a manufacturing, assembling,
or distributing plant to dealers or sales agents of a manufacturer.
(108) "Truck" means any motor vehicle equipped with a body designed to carry property and
which is generally and commonly used to carry and transport property over the public highways.
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(109) "Truck tractor - laden" or "laden truck tractor" means any motor vehicle carrying
cargo that is generally and commonly designed and used to draw, and is drawing a semitrailer or
trailer and its cargo load over the public highways.
(109.5) "Truck tractor - unladen" or "unladen truck tractor" means any motor vehicle not
carrying cargo that is generally used to draw a semitrailer or trailer and its cargo load over the
public highways.
(109.7) “UDD” means underage drinking and driving, and use of the term shall incorporate by
reference the offense described in section 42-4-1301(2)(d), C.R.S.
(110) "Used vehicle" means every motor vehicle which has been sold, bargained for,
exchanged, or given away, or has had the title transferred from the person who first acquired it
from the manufacturer or importer, and has been so used as to have become what is commonly
known as "secondhand" within the ordinary meaning thereof.
(111) "Utility trailer" means any wheeled vehicle weighing two thousand pounds or less,
without motive power, which is designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and which is generally
and commonly used to carry and transport personal effects, articles of household furniture, loads
of trash and rubbish, or not to exceed two horses over the public highways.
(112) "Vehicle" means a device that is capable of moving itself, or of being moved, from place
to place upon wheels or endless tracks. "Vehicle" includes, without limitation, a bicycle,
electrical assisted bicycle, or EPAMD, but does not include a wheelchair, off-highway vehicle,
snowmobile, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry designed primarily or exclusively for use
and used in agricultural operations or any device moved exclusively over stationary rails or
tracks or designed to move primarily through the air.
(112.5) "Vendor" means an organization that collects bulk data for the purpose of reselling the
data.
(113) "Wheelchair" means a motorized or nonmotorized wheeled device designed for use by a
person with a physical disability.
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APPENDIX
PART A.
I N S T R U C T I O N S
FOR ADOPTING
THE MODEL TRAFFIC CODE BY REFERENCE
(Based on parts 1 and 2 of article 16 of title 31 and part 4 of article 15 of title 30 Colorado
Revised Statutes; and on section 43-2-135(1)(g), C.R.S.)
1. Adopting Ordinance (see specimen)
(a) Form and Content. The form and content of the adopting ordinance should be
patterned as closely as possible after the specimen.
(b) Exceptions. Any and all sections of the Code that are inapplicable to the municipality
or county and are thereby to be deleted must be enumerated in the adopting ordinance.
(c) Penalties. Any penalties shall be subject to sections 31-16-204 or 30-35-404, C.R.S.
2. Introduction:
The Board of Trustees, City Council or Board of County Commissioners shall meet and
introduce the adopting ordinance.
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3. Notice of Hearing: (see specimen)
After introduction of the adopting ordinance the Board of Trustees, City or Town
Council, Board of County Commissioners must schedule a public hearing and give notice
of such hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be published twice in a newspaper published
or having a general circulation in the municipality, once at least eight days preceding the
hearing, and once at least fifteen days preceding the hearing. If there is no such
newspaper the notice shall be posted in the same manner as provided for the posting of a
proposed ordinance.
4. Content of Notice:
The notice of public hearing shall state the time and place of the hearing and shall also
state that copies of the Code, being considered for adoption, are on file at the office of the
City(Town) Clerk or County Clerk and are open to public inspection during regular
business hours. The notice shall also contain brief explanation of the purpose of the
Code, the subject matter, the name and address of the agency by which it has been
developed, and the date of publication of the Code. See sections 30-35-403 or
31-16-203, C.R.S.
5. Copies of Code:
Not fewer than three copies of the Code, all certified to be true copies by the City (Town)
Clerk or County Clerk, shall be filed in the Clerk’s office fifteen days preceding the
public hearing. The Code will be available online, without charge, at the following
Colorado Department of Transportation website address:
https://www.codot.gov/programs/operations/traffic-safety/operations#traffic-code...please
6. Deletions or Additions:
After the hearing, the governing body may amend, adopt or reject the adopting ordinance.
If any deletions or additions are made in the Code by the Board of Trustees, City or Town
Council, or Board of County Commissioners they must be duly noted in the adopting
ordinance.
7. Colorado Department of Transportation Approval:
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Approval by the Colorado Department of Transportation is required by law for all
regulations pertaining to streets which are state highways. This approval will take the
form of a written certification signed by the Chief Engineer or designee. Approval
should be sought following the public hearing and before the actual publication of the
adopting ordinance so that the Department will have time to certify its approval of the
regulations and schedules prior to the date the ordinance is calendared to become
effective.
8. Requirements for Department Approval:
For purposes of review and approval the Colorado Department of Transportation requires
an authenticated copy of the adopting ordinance. A draft copy of the adopting ordinance
may be submitted for review by CDOT prior to authentication.
9. Publication or Posting of Ordinance:
After passage by the City or Town Council, or Board of County Commissioners the
adopting ordinance shall be published in full in some newspaper published within the
corporate limits, or if there be none, then in some newspaper or online news publication
of general circulation in the municipality or county. If there is no such newspaper or
online news publication, the notice shall be posted in the same manner as provided for the
posting of a proposed ordinance.
10. Effective Date:
The ordinance shall neither take effect nor be in force until the expiration of thirty days
after it has been published or posted, except when the ordinance contains a special clause
declaring that an emergency exists and that the ordinance is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public health and safety. The excepted ordinance shall take effect
upon adoption and compliance with requirements for the mayor's approval as provided by
section 31-16-104, C.R.S., provided it has been passed by an affirmative vote of two-
thirds of the members of the governing body of the City or Town. However, in no case
shall regulations pertaining to state highways become effective until approval has been
obtained from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
11. Public Record:
After adoption of the Code by reference, the City, Town or County Clerk shall keep on
file at least three copies for public inspection while the ordinance is in force, except that
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one of these copies may be placed in the office of the chief enforcement officer instead of
in the office of the Clerk.
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APPENDIX
PART B.
SPECIMEN ORDINANCE
FOR ADOPTING MODEL TRAFFIC CODE
BY REFERENCE
ORDINANCE NO. _______________
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE FOR THE REGULATION OF TRAFFIC BY THE
(CITY TOWN COUNTY) OF _________________ COLORADO; ADOPTING BY
REFERENCE THE 2020 EDITION OF THE "MODEL TRAFFIC CODE” REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATION THEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE (CITY TOWN COUNTY) OF ____________
COLORADO:
Section 1. Adoption.
Pursuant to parts 1 and 2 of article 16 of title 31 and part 4 of article 15 of title 30, C.R.S., there
is hereby adopted by reference the 2020 edition of the "Model Traffic Code” promulgated and
published as such by the Colorado Department of Transportation, Traffic Safety and Engineering
Services, 2829 W Howard Place, Denver, CO 80204. The subject matter of the Model Traffic
Code relates primarily to comprehensive traffic control regulations for the City, Town, County.
The purpose of this Ordinance and the Code adopted herein is to provide a system of traffic
regulations consistent with state law and generally conforming to similar regulations throughout
the state and the nation. Three (3) copies of the Model Traffic Code adopted herein are now filed
in the office of the Clerk of the (City Town County) of ______________ Colorado, and may be
inspected during regular business hours.
Section 2. Deletions.
The 2020 edition of the Model Traffic Code is adopted as if set out at length save and
except the following articles and/or sections which are declared to be inapplicable to this
municipality and are therefore expressly deleted:
(The adopting municipality or county should list and cross reference to affected sections
any deletions. If none, in the above statement write "none".)
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Section 3. Additions or Modifications.
The said adopted Code is subject to the following additions or modifications:
(The adopting municipality or county should set forth in full any additions to or
modifications of the adopted Code. If none, so indicate by inserting the word "None.")
Section 4. Penalties.
The following penalties, herewith set forth in full, shall apply to this ordinance:
(a) It is unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions adopted in this
ordinance.
(b) Every person convicted of a violation of any provision adopted in this ordinance shall
be punished by a surcharge in accordance with 42-4-1701(4)(e)(II), C.R.S.
{For use by Home Rule Towns and Cities}
(c) In addition to Section 4. Penalties.(b), every person convicted of a violation of any
provision adopted in this ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ________
dollars ($_______), or by imprisonment not exceeding ______ (00) days, or by both such
fine and imprisonment.
{For use by Counties}
(c) Every person convicted of a violation of any provision adopted in this ordinance shall
be punished by a minimum fine in accordance with Section 1701, not exceeding _______
($______), or by both such fine and imprisonment not exceeding ________(00) days.
(d)
Section 5. Application.
This ordinance shall apply to every street, alley, sidewalk area, driveway, park, and to
every other public way or public place or public parking area, either within or outside the
corporate limits of this municipality or county, the use of which this municipality or
county has jurisdiction and authority to regulate.
Section 6. Validity.
If any part or parts of this ordinance are for any reason held to be invalid such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The (City Town
Council) (Board of County Commissioners) hereby declares that it would have passed
this ordinance and each part or parts thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one part or
parts be declared invalid.
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Section 7. Repeal.
Existing or parts of ordinances (identifying ordinance number may be cited) covering the
same matters as embraced in this ordinance are hereby repealed and all ordinances or
parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed,
except that this repeal shall not affect or prevent the prosecution or punishment of any
person for any act done or committed in violation of any ordinance hereby repealed prior
to the taking effect of this ordinance.
Section 8. Interpretation.
This ordinance shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to
conform with the State's uniform system for the regulation of vehicles and traffic. Article
and section headings of the ordinance and adopted Model Traffic Code shall not be
deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or extent of
the provisions of any article or section thereof.
Section 9. Certification.
The City, Town, County Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and make not
less than three copies of the adopted Code available for inspection by the public during
regular business hours.
PASSED BY THE (CITY COUNCIL - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS)
AFTER A PUBLIC HEARING AND SIGNED THIS ______ DAY OF _________ ,
20___ .
______________________________
Mayor or Chairman
(SEAL) (CITY TOWN COUNTY) OF _____________________
ATTEST:
__________________________
(City Town County) Clerk
APPENDIX
200
PART C.
SPECIMEN NOTICE OF HEARING
NOTICE is hereby given of a public hearing before the (City Town Council
Board of County Commissioners) of ___________ Colorado, at ______(time) of the
_____ day of _______, 20____, at _________(location)for the purpose of considering the
adoption by reference of the "Model Traffic Code" 2020 edition, as the traffic ordinance
of the (City, Town, County) of _____________, Colorado.
Copies of the Model Traffic Code are on file at the office of the (City, Town,
County) Clerk and may be inspected during regular business hours. If enacted as an
ordinance of this City or County the Model Traffic Code will not be published in full, but
in accordance with state law, copies will be kept on file.
The "Model Traffic Code" 2020 edition is published by the Colorado Department
of Transportation, Traffic Engineering and Safety Branch, 2829 West Howard Place,
Denver, CO 80204. The subject matter of the Model Traffic Code relates primarily to
comprehensive traffic control regulations for the (City Town County). The purpose of the
Ordinance and the Code adopted therein is to provide a system of traffic regulations
consistent with state law and generally conforming to similar regulations throughout the
state and the nation.
At its next regular meeting following this hearing, the (City Town Council)
(Board of County Commissioners) will consider passage of the adopting Ordinance.
This notice given and published by the order of the (City Town Council) (Board
of County Commissioners).
Dated this ____________ day of _______, 20___.
(CITY TOWN COUNTY) OF _________________, COLORADO
__________________ (City Town County) Clerk
First notice of hearing __________________ 20__
Second notice of hearing _________________ 20__
APPENDIX
201
PART D.
SPECIMEN CERTIFICATION - POSTING OF ORDINANCE
STATE OF COLORADO
COUNTY OF ______________________
TOWN OF ______________________
The undersigned Clerk of the Town of ____________ Colorado, hereby certifies,
upon resolution of the Board of Trustees, that there is no newspaper published within or
which has a general circulation within the municipality; that upon the authorization and
direction of the Board of Trustees the undersigned has caused to be posted in three (3)
public places namely:
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. _________________________________
An ordinance entitled: "ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2020 EDITION OF THE
'MODEL TRAFFIC CODE FOR COLORADO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS';
REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT THEREWITH AND PROVIDING
FOR PENALTIES THEREOF."
The same being Ordinance No. ____________
Dated this ___ day of _____________ 20___.
The undersigned further attests that each of the copies of said Ordinance remained
posted continuously and uninterruptedly for the period required by law.
WITNESS the hand and seal of the undersigned on this ______ day of ___________
20___
____________________________
202
Town Clerk (SEAL)
203
APPENDIX
PART E.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR AMENDING MODEL TRAFFIC CODE
PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED BY REFERENCE
(Based on parts 1 and 2 of article 16 of title 31, as amended, and section 43-2-135 (1)(g), C.R.S.)
1. Amending Ordinance:
Colorado law provides that whenever a Code is amended by the agency which originally
promulgated or adopted it, any municipality which has previously adopted the Code by reference
may also adopt the amendments by reference through the same procedure as required for the
adoption of the original Code; or an ordinance may be enacted in regular manner, setting forth
the entire text of the amendments. The instructions which follow apply to the latter method.
2. Form and Content:
The form and content of the amending ordinance should conform to the requirements set
forth in part 1 of article 16 of title 31, Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended.
Amendments pertaining to sections of the Code which are inapplicable to the
municipality should be deleted in the amending ordinance.
3. Public Hearing:
No hearing is required if an ordinance is enacted setting forth the entire text of the
amendments.
4. Publication or Posting:
Publication or posting requirements for the amending ordinance are the same as for any
other ordinance adopted by a City or Town. Publication or posting procedures are described in
Part D of this Appendix.
5. Colorado Department of Transportation Approval:
Colorado Department of Transportation approval of the amended regulations is required
before any regulations pertaining to streets which are state highways become effective. This
approval will take the form of a written certification signed by the Chief Engineer or designee.
204
6. Effective Date:
The amending ordinance will take effect upon adoption and compliance with
requirements for the mayor's approval or thirty days after publication as provided by law. The
procedure in each case is described in item no. 10 Part A of this Appendix.
7. Public Record:
After passage of the amending ordinance the City or Town Clerk should continue to keep
on file at least three copies of the adopted code, for public inspection in the manner shown in
item no. 11 in Part A of this Appendix.
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APPENDIX
PART F.
LISTING OF AMENDMENTS FOR UPDATING PREVIOUS EDITION
OF MODEL TRAFFIC CODE ADOPTED BY REFERENCE
Colorado statutes grant municipalities the option of enacting an ordinance in the regular
manner for the purpose of amending a code previously adopted by reference. To accomplish
this, however, the entire text of the amendments must be set forth in such an ordinance. Local
Governments that desire to follow this procedure instead of adopting the current edition of the
Code by reference may obtain a listing and description of all pertinent changes from the
Colorado Department of Transportation. The procedure for amending a code directly rather than
by reference is set forth in Part E of this Appendix.
Whenever possible, municipalities are urged to adopt the latest edition of the Code by reference
instead of resorting to an amending ordinance. This procedure has several important advantages:
(1) It avoids the problem of relating the various revisions and additions in an amending
ordinance to the adopted edition of the Code;
(2) It enables a city or town to have on record the latest references to applicable State
statutes and national recommendations as well as informative and current editorial notes relating
to the various traffic regulations; and
(3) It facilitates the task of drafting the municipal ordinance pertaining to the Code.
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APPENDIX
PART G.
SPECIMEN CERTIFICATION OF MODEL TRAFFIC CODE
*(Form to be affixed to inside front or back cover of each Code provided for public inspection.)
STATE OF COLORADO
CERTIFICATION
COUNTY OF ______________________
CITY (TOWN) OF _________________
We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that this Model Traffic Code is a true and accurate
copy of the Code adopted by reference by the (City Town County) of _____________, Colorado
under Ordinance No. _______ pursuant to and as provided by parts 1 and 2 of article 16 of title
31 or part 4 of article 15 title 30, C.R.S.
Dated this _____ day of ___________, 20_____ .
By___________________________
Mayor or Chairman
ATTEST: (CITY TOWN COUNTY) OF ___________________
________________________________
Clerk
(SEAL)
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WHY A MODEL TRAFFIC CODE
FOR COLORADO?
1. Uniformity of basic road rules.
2. Uniformity of local traffic regulations.
3. Standardization of traffic regulation and control on streets that are state highways.
4. Compatibility of traffic ordinances with State and national vehicle codes.
ALL CONTRIBUTING TO
GREATER TRAFFIC SAFETY
AND OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
IN MOVING PEOPLE AND GOODS
THROUGH AND WITHIN
OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS!
(See Forward to Code for details)