Title 42, Vehicles and Traffic
0 chapters · 632 sections in this title.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1008 Following too closely
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(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 anoth…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1008.5 Crowding or threatening bicyclist
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(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 42-4-1402. Source: L…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1009 Coasting prohibited
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(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 …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-101 Short title
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Parts 1 to 3, 5 to 19, and 21 of this article, part 1 of article 2 of this title, and part 5 of article 5 of title 43, C.R.S., shall be known and may be cited as the Uniform Safety Code of 1935. Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2227, � 1, effective January…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1010 Driving on divided or controlled-access highways
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(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 di…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1011 Use of runaway vehicle ramps
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(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. (3) Any person who v…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1013 Passing lane - definitions - penalty
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(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 nonpassing lane or turning left, or unless the volume of traffic does not permit …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1014 No commercial vehicles in the left lane - penalty
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(1) A driver of a commercial vehicle may not enter the furthest left lane when driving in the following areas of interstate 70 unless specifically required or authorized to pass by law: (a) Between milepost 115.5 and milepost 131.0 (Glenwood canyon); (b) Between milepost 169.5 an…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-102 Legislative declaration
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The general assembly recognizes the many conflicts which presently exist between the state's traffic laws and many of the municipal traffic codes, which conflicts lead to uncertainty in the movement of traffic on the state's highways and streets. These conflicts are compounded by…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-103 Scope and effect of article - exceptions to provisions
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(1) This article constitutes the uniform traffic code throughout the state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein. (2) The provisions of this article relating to the operation of vehicles and the movement of pedestrians refer exclusively to the use of street…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-104 Adoption of traffic control manual
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The department of transportation shall adopt a manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices consistent with the provisions of this article for use upon highways within this state. Such uniform system shall correlate with and insofar as possible confor…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-105 Local traffic control devices
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Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions 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 article or local traffic ordinances or to regulate, warn…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-106 Who may restrict right to use highways - definitions - rules
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(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 e…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-107 Obedience to police officers
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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.…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-109.5 Low-speed electric vehicles
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(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…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-109.6 Class B low-speed electric vehicles - effective date - rules
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(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-gra…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-110 Provisions uniform throughout state - legislative declaration
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(1) This article 4 must be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities. Cities and counties, incorporated cities and towns, and counties shall regulate and enforce all traffic and parking restrictions on streets that are state…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1101 Speed limits
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(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, w…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1103 Minimum speed regulation
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(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 depar…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1104 Speed limits on elevated structures
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(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 th…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1106 Minimum speed in left lane - interstate 70
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(1) Where the average grade is six percent or more uphill for at least one mile, no person shall operate a motor vehicle in the far left lane of traffic of interstate 70 at a speed of less than the lower of ten miles per hour below the speed limit or the minimum speed set by the …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-111 Powers of local authorities
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(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, this article 4 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 sto…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-112 Noninterference with the rights of owners of realty
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Subject to the exception provided in section 42-4-103 (2), nothing in this article 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…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-113 Appropriations for administration of article
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The general assembly shall make appropriations from the highway users tax fund for the expenses of the administration of this article. Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2238, � 1, effective January 1, 1995. Editor's note: This section is similar to former �…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-114 Removal of traffic hazards
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(1) The department of transportation and 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 …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-116 Restrictions for minor drivers - definitions
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(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 li…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-117 Personal mobility devices
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(1) A rider of an EPAMD shall have all the same rights and duties as an operator of any other vehicle under this article, except as to those provisions that by their nature have no application. (2) Unless prohibited under section 42-4-111 (1)(cc), an EPAMD may be operated on a ro…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-118 Establishment of wildlife crossing zones - speed limit - definition
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(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 parks and wildlife created pursuant to section 33-9-104, C.R.S., in the department of…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1201 Starting parked vehicle
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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. Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocation…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1202 Parking or abandonment of vehicles
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(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 vehi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1203 Ski areas to install signs
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(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 ins…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1205 Parking at curb or edge of roadway
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(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-…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1206 Unattended motor vehicle - definitions
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(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 gra…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1207 Opening and closing vehicle doors
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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 availab…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1209 Owner liability for parking violations
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(1) In addition to any other liability provided for in this article, 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 furni…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1210 Designated areas on private property for authorized vehicles
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(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…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1211 Limitations on backing
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(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 s…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1212 Pay parking access for persons with disabilities
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(1) A person who owns, operates, or manages a parking space, including a parking space within a parking lot, that requires remuneration paid through a parking device shall not tow, boot, or otherwise take adverse action against an individual or motor vehicle parking in the space …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1213 Parking in electric motor vehicle charging stations - definition
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(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 loca…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1300.3 Definitions. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 2002: Entire section added, p. 1897, � 1, effective July 1. L. 2004: (3) amended, p. 781, � 2, effective July 1. L. 2008: Entire section repealed, p. 255, � 26, effective July 1. 42-4-1301. Driving under the influence - driving while impaired - driving with excessive a…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1301.3 Alcohol and drug driving safety program - definition
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(1) (a) Upon conviction of a violation of section 42-4-1301, the court shall sentence the defendant in accordance with the provisions of this section and other applicable provisions of this part 13. The court shall consider the alcohol and drug evaluation required pursuant to thi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1302 Stopping of suspect
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A law enforcement officer may stop any person who the officer reasonably suspects is committing or has committed a violation of section 42-4-1301 (1) or (2) and may require the person to give such person's name, address, and an explanation of his or her actions. The stopping shal…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1303 Records - prima facie proof
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Official records of the department of public health and environment relating to certification of breath test instruments, certification of operators and operator instructors of breath test instruments, certification of standard solutions, and certification of laboratories shall b…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1305 Open alcoholic beverage container - motor vehicle - prohibited
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(1) Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Alcoholic beverage means a beverage as defined in 23 CFR 1270.3 (a). (b) Motor vehicle means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public highways bu…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1401 Reckless driving - penalty
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(1) A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric scooter, 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 …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1402 Careless driving - penalty
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(1) A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric scooter, 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…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1403 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. An…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1404 Crossing fire hose
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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 provisi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1405 Riding in trailers
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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. Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2393, � 1, effective January 1, 1995. Editor's note…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-1406 Foreign matter on highway prohibited - penalty - definitions
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(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, …