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 Universal helmet law repealed 1977.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
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
Urban Interstates: Trucks (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 1 yr and under 20 lbs in rear-facing seat in rear seat
1-3 yrs and 20-40 lbs in rear or forward-facing child safety seat 
4-8 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat or booster

Colorado
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-15 yrs

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
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

12

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?

No

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

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.

GHSA, Lyft & Responsibility.org Team Up to Provide Grants to Help States Curb Impaired Driving this Holiday Season

GHSA, in partnership with Lyft and Responsibility.org, has awarded the Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Texas State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) a total of $80,000 in grant funds to support initiatives that promote the use of ride-hailing rather than driving this holiday season.

GHSA, Lyft & Responsibility.org Team Up to Provide Grants to Help States Curb Impaired Driving this Holiday Season

GHSA, in partnership with Lyft and Responsibility.org, has awarded the Colorado, Maryland, Missouri and Texas State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) a total of $80,000 in grant funds to support initiatives that promote the use of ride-hailing rather than driving this holiday season.

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