Electric Scooter Laws in Colorado – Complete Guide 2025

Summary Colorado Electric Scooter Law

• Classification: Electric personal assistive mobility device (Colorado HB 19-1221)
• Min age: 16+ years statewide (varies by city)
• Helmet required: Under 18 statewide (varies by municipality)
• Max speed: 20 mph
• License required: No
• Registration: Not required
• Title required: Not required
• Insurance required: Not required
• Sidewalk riding: Generally prohibited (check local rules)
• Road access: Allowed on streets and bike lanes
• Bike lane access: Yes, preferred riding location
• Scooter sharing: Active in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins
• Last updated: August 28, 2025

Colorado’s Electric Scooter Evolution From Toys to Vehicle

Like many states Colorado dramatically changed its electric scooter regulation in 2019 with House Bill 19-1221, moving scooters from “toy vehicles” restricted to sidewalks into legitimate street transportation devices. The state requires riders to be 16+, wear helmets if under 18, and limits speeds to 20 mph. But like many western states, Colorado leaves significant regulatory details to municipalities, creating a patchwork of local rules that varies considerably between cities like Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.

But fret not, we’ve done our due diligence in trying to break it all down!

Official Legal Framework

House Bill 19-1221 reclassified electric scooters from toy vehicles to electric personal assistive mobility devices, allowing roadway use for the first time. The bill established statewide minimums: 16 years minimum age, helmets required for riders under 18, and 20 mph maximum speed when powered by motor only.

Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42 covers the vehicle and traffic regulations, while individual municipalities establish specific regulation, parking requirements, and additional safety measures. The state framework provides baseline safety standards while giving cities flexibility to address local infrastructure and population concerns.

Where You Can Ride

Roads and Streets: Allowed on city streets and roads where bicycles are permitted. Must follow all traffic laws applicable to vehicles, including riding as close to the right curb as practicable.

Bike Lanes: Yes, electric scooters are encouraged to use bike lanes when available as the safest riding option.

Sidewalks: Generally prohibited statewide for roadway-capable scooters, though municipalities may create specific exceptions for certain areas.

Trails and Paths: Varies by managing agency and local jurisdiction. Many paved bike paths allow scooters, but mountain bike trails and hiking paths typically prohibit all electric powered vehicles.

Equipment & Vehicle Requirements

Speed Limit: Maximum 20 mph when powered by motor only. This is measured on flat, paved surfaces using motor power alone without human propulsion assistance.

Weight and Size: No specific state restrictions, but must have handlebars and a platform designed for standing while riding.

Lighting: Standard bicycle lighting requirements apply: white front light and red rear reflector for night riding.

Braking: Must have adequate braking system, though no specifics for what determines adequate braking exist in state law.

Rider Requirements

Age: Minimum 16 years old statewide. Cities may set higher age requirements but cannot go below the state minimum.

Licensing: No driver’s license or special permit required at state level.

Helmet Laws: Mandatory for all riders under 18 years old. Must be properly fitted and fastened while riding. Adults 18+ may ride without helmets unless local ordinances require them.

Alcohol Rules: Standard impaired driving laws apply.

Parking, Storage & Riding Etiquette

State law doesn’t establish specific parking rules, leaving this to municipal regulation. General principles include the standard; not blocking sidewalks, ADA access, or creating pedestrian hazards.

Basic traffic understanding and riding etiquette is applied.

Enforcement & Penalties

Enforcement varies significantly by municipality. Cities with active scooter sharing programs typically have more consistent enforcement than areas where most of the scooters are privately owned.

Common violations include underage riding, riding without helmets when required, and speed demons exceeding the set speed limits. Penalties are generally treated like bicycle violations rather than motor vehicle fines.

Insurance & Liability

No state insurance requirements exist. Do note that riders will remain liable for any property damage or injuries they cause. Standard liability rules apply and Colorado follows comparative negligence principles for accident fault determination.

Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may provide some coverage, but at ARJ we always urge you to verify with your provider and don’t make any assumptions.

Local Exceptions and Municipal Rules

Denver (Population 715,000): No additional regulations apart from state statute. Active shared scooter programs with designated parking zones in the downtown area. You can expect that local authorities are more actively monitoring scooter usage in a larger city as Denver.

Boulder (Population 108,000): Follows state law with separate scooter sharing programs that follow specific parking and operational requirements.

Fort Collins (Population 170,000): Specific operating hours for shared scooters, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summer, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. in winter. Helmet requirement follows state law. Active e-scooter pilot programs with university coordination.

Broomfield (Population 75,000): Prohibits scooter riding on sidewalks, bike trails, parks, and fields. Rest they do follow the state regulations.

Special Circumstances

University Areas: Like most campuses they have specific rules that apply to riding around on the campus grounds. University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado State University is no different so make sure to check with campus transportation offices before riding.

Mountain Communities: Aspen, Vail, and other mountain towns may have seasonal restrictions during peak tourism.

Weather and Altitude: Colorado’s weather can quickly turn. Plenty of snow and the occasional summer thunderstorm is something you do need to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my 15-year-old ride an electric scooter? No, Colorado requires 16+ minimum age statewide and has no exceptions for parental supervision. Unless you’re riding on private property.

What about winter riding? Legally allowed but practically challenging. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures make scooters dangerous and reduce battery performance significantly.

Resources & Citations

• Colorado General Assembly HB 19-1221 – Electric scooter reclassification
• Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42 – Vehicle and traffic laws
• City of Denver – Municipal scooter regulations
• City of Boulder – E-mobility regulatory information
• City of Fort Collins – E-scooter program information

Trust & Legal Notes

I’ve deep-dived into the legal landscape that is the Rocky Mountain region’s electric scooter regulation, but I’m not a lawyer. Colorado’s regulatory framework changes as cities adapt to growing scooter usage. This information summarizes current law for educational purposes and shouldn’t replace legal advice. For accidents, violations, or liability questions, consult a Colorado attorney familiar with municipal and traffic law.

Call To Action

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Conclusion on the Colorado Electric Scooter Laws

Colorado’s 2019 transformation of electric scooters from toy vehicle to legitimate transportation shows just how quickly regulation can evolve, and how right it can be. Moving scooters from sidewalks to streets made practical sense as devices became more powerful and popular for actual transportation rather than solely recreational use.

Having a 16+ age requirement strikes a good balance between access and safety. I’m for everyone riding but when teaching young kids to ride, I often find that maturity and traffic awareness go hand in hand.

From a technical perspective, Colorado’s 20 mph limit works and is similar to what most state’s have aimed for. As long as there aren’t any heavy power limitations that could discriminate against larger riders or people riding in hilly suburbs.

The seasonal riding reality in Colorado means scooters work best as spring through fall transportation. Battery performance degrades quickly below freezing, and icy conditions are sketchy for even the most experienced riders. Unless you’ve winterized your ride of course.

The municipal variation approach works well for Colorado’s diverse geography and population density. Even though I personally appreciate a state by state regulation method due to its simplicity to both cover and for riders to follow.