Colorado

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Colorado. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Colorado
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.

Colorado
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

10 years

Colorado
Provisions for Mature Drivers

80 and older: electronic renewal requires passage of vision exam within the prior 6 months

Colorado
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Permissible inference law >0 for THC

Colorado
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use

Colorado
Marijuana Impaired Driving

Permissible inference for THC (5 ng)

Colorado
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

Colorado
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

Colorado
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

Colorado
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

75

Colorado
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

75

Colorado
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

Colorado
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

Colorado
Administrative license suspension on first offense

3 months

Colorado
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

Colorado
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 and above) and repeat convictions, highly incentivized for first convictions

Colorado
Open container laws

Yes

Colorado
Repeat Offender Laws

No

Colorado
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yr and under 40 lbs in rear-facing child restraint
More than 40 lbs may ride forward-facing; 2-3 years and at least 20 pounds may ride in either a rear or forward-facing child restraint
4-8 years and at least 40 lbs in child restraint or booster (effective 01/01/25)
8 and younger must be in the rear seat if available (effective 01/01/25)

Colorado
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

9-17 yrs (effective 01/01/25)

Colorado
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

12

Colorado
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (10)

Colorado
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Colorado
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

Colorado
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 6 months: no passengers Second 6 months: no more than one passenger (secondary enforcement)

Colorado
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years

Colorado
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 with driver's ed 15 / 6 with driver awareness program 16 without driver's ed. or program

Colorado
Type of Law

Secondary

Colorado
Who is Covered?

16 and over (primary law for under 18)

Colorado
In What Seat?

Front

Colorado
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes (effective January 1, 2025)

Colorado
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

No

Colorado
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

Colorado
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Colorado
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

Colorado
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

School zones, residential neighborhoods, construction zones (only when construction is occurring), and streets that border a municipal park; police officer or government employee must be present at time of violation

Colorado
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Colorado
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide

Hundreds of Signs Go Up on Rows of Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Tribute to Victims of Speed-related Crashes in Colorado

One of our Colorado's most popular summer spots turned into a memorial on Monday. Crews from the Colorado Department of Transportation placed hundreds of signs that pay tribute to victims of speed-related crashes on some of the rows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Hundreds of Signs Go Up on Rows of Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Tribute to Victims of Speed-related Crashes in Colorado

Story by Jesse Sarles
August 20, 2024

GHSA, Responsibility.org, NASID Provide $86,000 to Combat Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2024

CONTACT: Adam Snider (GHSA), 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (cell)
                 Katie Beaumont (Responsibility.org), (202) 355-1915

As summer driving season kicks off, three states receive funding to help law enforcement identify and remove impaired drivers from the road

GHSA, Responsibility.org, NASID Provide $86,000 to Combat Drunk and Drug-Impaired Driving

GHSA, Responsibility.org and the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID) have awarded more than $86,000 to three states for initiatives to combat alcohol, cannabis and multiple-substance impaired driving. Now in its tenth year, this long-running grant program has provided more than $1.1 million to State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) across the country to help address this growing roadway safety threat.

Youth Active Transportation Safety Grant Results: Colorado

The Colorado Office of Transportation Safety partnered with Adelante Community Development, a non-profit organization focused on serving Latino families and entrepreneurs, to recruit and train teens as part of the Traffic Safety Youth Advisory Board. These teens were trained to be ambassadors and educated their peers in Commerce City about pedestrian, bicycle and other safe mobility practices. 

Why Do We Have Right-on-Red, and is it Time to Get Rid of It?

Atlanta, Denver, Indianapolis, Washington, DC, Raleigh, North Carolina, and other major cities have recently proposed or passed laws banning it in parts of their busy downtowns or citywide. They believe it will protect people walking and biking amid the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in more than 40 years. Right turns on red “introduce extra movements into the intersection,” said Eric Dumbaugh, a professor in the department of urban and regional planning at Florida Atlantic University who studies traffic safety.

GHSA and National Road Safety Foundation Provide Grants for Safe Youth Mobility in Underserved Areas

GHSA has awarded grants totaling $75,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to State Highway Safety Offices in CO, KY and MN to work with community-based groups representing underserved populations to provide safe youth mobility options like walking, biking or riding a scooter.

GHSA and National Road Safety Foundation Provide Grants for Safe Youth Mobility in Underserved Areas

GHSA has awarded grants totaling $75,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to State Highway Safety Offices in CO, KY and MN to work with community-based groups representing underserved populations to provide safe youth mobility options like walking, biking or riding a scooter.

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