• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Caves
      • Colorado Brands
      • Escape Rooms
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Lakes
      • Landmarks
      • Mine Tours
      • Mountains
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Parks
      • Rivers
      • Scenic Drives
      • Sightseeing Tours
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Winery Tours
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Jeep Rentals
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowbiking
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Boutique Hotels
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos w/ Lodging
    • Hot Spring w/ Lodging
    • Wineries w/ Lodging
    • Best Hotels
    • Dude Ranches
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Colorado Driving Laws Mountain Road
Driving Colorado. Photo: Mitchell Joyce

Rules of the Road and Traffic Laws in Colorado

June 20, 2022 By //  by Tim Landers

FacebookTwitter

If you plan on taking a trip to Colorado that involves driving, it’s a good idea to do some research on the traffic laws in The Centennial State. Doing so can go a long way in better ensuring you don’t take home a traffic ticket as a souvenir.

By learning these you’ll save time wondering and be safer. Here are a few rules of the road and traffic laws to keep in mind.

Colorado Driving Laws
Colorado Boulevard, Denver, Colorado. Photo: Ken Lund

Pay Attention to the Stop Lines

Cities like Denver have white stop lines at intersections. Make sure you come to a stop behind the line; they’re not there for decoration. Major metropolitan areas have a lot of pedestrians, and they deserve to have every inch of the crosswalk to safely and lawfully cross the street.

Another reason to make sure you come to a stop behind the white line is that there could be a camera waiting to capture your infraction.

One-Way Left Turn on Red

Depending on the driving laws in your state, you may not be permitted to make a left turn on red onto a one-way street. Making a right turn on red is pretty standard, but know that you’re permitted to make a left turn on a red light in Colorado as long as you’re turning from a one-way road onto another one-way road.

That said, look for signage that may indicate otherwise. Again, you don’t want to have a camera take a snapshot of your misdeeds.

Narrow Mountain Roadways

Perhaps you plan on traveling up to the beautiful mountains while in Colorado. If you come to a narrow, steep mountain roadway, you need to know what to do if you encounter a vehicle driving in the opposite direction. The vehicle that’s traveling down the roadway has to yield to the vehicle going uphill.

No Cell Phones for Young Drivers

If you’re traveling with your teenage son or daughter who doesn’t mind driving during the trip, bear in mind the fact that anyone under 18 driving in Colorado cannot use a cell phone while behind the wheel, no matter if it’s talking or texting.

While this should go for every driver no matter her or his age, it’s especially important to keep in mind for those under the age of 18.

Don’t Merge If It Means the Flow of Traffic Has To Slow Down

When it comes to merging on the highway, all oncoming vehicles have the right of way. Only merge when you can do so without slowing down the flow of traffic. This is another instance where you can easily cause an accident or road rage.

Using the Left Lane

You’ve likely heard of this one, but it most certainly bears repeating, no matter which state you’re visiting. While driving on the highway, it’s best to stick to the right lane and the right lane only if you aren’t passing the car in front of you.

Use the left lane to pass, but otherwise, pretend it’s not even there as you make your way to your destination.

What is the left lane law? We found out from the Colorado State Patrol above.

Road rage and accidents are almost inevitable when motorists linger longer in the left lane than absolutely necessary. Safely pass the car (or cars) in front of you and dip back into the right lane as soon as you can.

Hopefully, knowing these laws help make your trip to Colorado safer and more enjoyable. There’s a lot to see and do, just make sure you drive the right way to do and see everything you desire without incident.

Tim Landers

About Tim Landers

Tim is an outdoorsman and bookworm from the Western Slope. He enjoys traveling to all corners of Colorado and camping under the stars.

FacebookTwitter

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Previous Post: «Autumn Afternoon Lake Dillon Frisco CO Camping Summit County Camping near Breck, Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne, all around Summit County
Next Post: Things to do in July in Colorado ice lake basin wildflowers»

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • 7 Best Breweries in Colorado Springs
  • The Top Wine Shops around Denver
  • 9 Best Motorcycle Rides in Colorado
  • 2022-23 Colorado Ski Resort Season Opening & Closing Dates
  • 12 Marvelous Hiking Trails near Montrose

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 · Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise