Safety Laws

Helmet Laws

Motorcycles

Operators or riders under 18 must wear helmets. Otherwise, there are no other helmet restrictions.

Bicyclists

There are no mandatory helmet laws for bicyclists.

Cell Phones

Any driver with a learner's permit, regardless of age, cannot use a cell phone while driving.

Headlight Laws

Vehicles

Colorado law dictates that you must drive with headlights on between dusk and dawn and when visibility, due to weather conditions, is limited to 1,000 feet or less.

Motorcycles

Daytime headlights are not required.

Snowmobiles

When operated between dusk and dawn, your snowmobile must have at least one headlight that illuminates objects 100 feet ahead and at least one red taillight that's visible from 500 feet.

Bicycles

A front white headlight is required when riding at night. Although, enforcement of this law is lax at best.

Child Safety Seats

Rear Facing Seats

Infants who weigh under 20 pounds and are less than one year old must ride in a rear-facing safety seat.

Forward Facing Seat

Kids between the ages of one and four and who weigh between 20-40 pounds must ride in a forward-facing seat.

Booster Seats

Kids weighing over 40 pounds or who are between the ages of four and six must either ride in a booster seat or with a child safety belt-positioning apparatus. Kids who match the aforementioned criteria, but are over 55 inches, are exempt from this law.

Seat Belt Law

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all front seat passengers.

Exceptions to this rule follow:

• Operating a vehicle manufactured before 1968―the year seat belts became federally required.

• Passengers with a physical or psychological disability are exempt from wearing a seat belt. A medical statement explaining the disability and the reason why a seat belt is inappropriate must accompany the passenger.

Not buckling up is considered a secondary violation. You can only be cited if you've been stopped for another reason, such as speeding or zooming through a stop sign.

Reporting Drunken and/or Dangerous Drivers

Dial either 911 or *DUI and you will be connected with the nearest law enforcement agency. When calling be prepared to provide the car's description, license plate number and direction of travel. Don't worry if your call proves wrong. It is better to err on the side or caution.

Unattended Kids in Cars

At this time there are no Colorado laws against leaving unattended kids in cars. If you suspect an unattended child is in danger, dial 911 and remain with the vehicle in question.

Unattended Pets in Cars

If you suspect an unattended pet is in danger, call the local police department or animal control unit.