Colorado is a beautiful state with diverse driving terrain. Below is essential information to help you navigate Colorado’s urban, mountain, and rural areas safely.
Bad Weather & Ice: Slow down to appropriate speeds and avoid using cruise control in poor weather conditions. Colorado enforces tire tread and chain laws during snow conditions, so ensure your vehicle complies to avoid penalties.
Dawn, Dusk & Night Driving: Colorado law requires drivers to turn on headlights from sunset to sunrise or when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
Passing Other Cars: Pass only where permitted and never attempt to pass multiple cars at once to reduce the risk of collisions.
Construction Zones: Reduced speed limits in construction zones help protect workers and allow drivers time to react to complex work areas.
Aggressive Drivers: Report aggressive drivers by dialing *CSP (277) on your phone.
Interstate Etiquette: Vehicles traveling below the speed limit must move to the right lane to allow faster traffic to pass. Drivers should also move left or center to allow vehicles to merge onto the interstate.
Entering Freeways: Use on-ramps to build speed before merging into traffic after the solid white line ends. Always use your turn signal and yield to existing traffic.
Leaving Freeways: Use off-ramps to reduce speed safely without disrupting interstate traffic. Signal your intention early, maintain speed until you reach the ramp, and slow down as posted. If you miss your exit, continue to the next one—never make a last-second turnoff.
Down Mountain Passes: Use low gear on steep descents to control speed and prevent brake overheating. Never coast downhill in neutral or with the clutch disengaged. On narrow roads, downhill vehicles must yield to uphill traffic by pulling over when necessary.
Up Mountain Passes: Vehicles struggling on steep inclines should pull off at the first safe opportunity or stay in the right lane to allow others to pass.
Animals & Wildlife: Be vigilant for wildlife such as elk or deer that may leap into the road unexpectedly. Reduce speeds in areas with high wildlife activity.
Rural Driving: Trees, crops, or brush may obstruct views at intersections or driveways. Stay alert for farm equipment, animals, railroad crossings, and narrow or poorly surfaced bridges.
Knowing what to expect and how to drive in all areas of Colorado will help ensure everyone arrives safely at their destinations.
For more information about driving in Colorado, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website.
For real-time road conditions and traffic cameras, check out COTrip.org or call 511.
For questions or assistance, contact the CDOT Customer Hotline at (303) 757-9011.
