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.
Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
10 years
80 and older: electronic renewal requires passage of vision exam within the prior 6 months
Permissible inference law >0 for THC
Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
Permissible inference for THC (5 ng)
75
75
65
65
65
65
0.15
3 months
Yes
Mandatory for high BAC (0.15 and above) and repeat convictions, highly incentivized for first convictions
Yes
No
9-17 yrs (effective 01/01/25)
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)
17 years
15 with driver's ed 15 / 6 with driver awareness program 16 without driver's ed. or program
12
50 (10)
16
Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
First 6 months: no passengers Second 6 months: no more than one passenger (secondary enforcement)
Secondary
16 and over (primary law for under 18)
Front
Yes (effective January 1, 2025)
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Statewide
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
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
Permitted by state law
As states launch their annual high visibility enforcement period focused on seat belt use, Colorado is sharing GHSA and Uber's Make It Click campaign message to spread the word about buckling up in the back seat.
May 21, 2019
The Colorado DOT's Cannabis Conversation campaign is working to get the message out against driving under the influence of marijuana. CDOT's Sam Cole discusses the importance of the effort.
Story by Paula Haddock
April 25, 2019
In 2014 Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana. That same year Colorado launched its Drive High, Get a DUI campaign to inform the public that the state’s DUI law includes impairment by marijuana.
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for all riders and passengers under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
10 years
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
Permissible inference law >0 for THC.
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
75
