Laws by state / Colorado
Colorado
What Colorado's statutes say about riding each kind of personal electric vehicle. Local rules can be stricter.
E-bikes
How the law defines it: Three-class system: two or three wheels, working pedals, motor of 750 W or less. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) stop assisting at 20 mph; Class 3 (pedal assist) at 28 mph. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed
Same rights and duties as other vehicle drivers; ride in the right-hand lane when slower than traffic. Cities may regulate e-bikes on their streets.
Bike lane
Allowed
Riders may ride two abreast on paths or road sections set aside for bicycles and scooters.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Allowed unless banned by signs or local ordinance. Must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Class 1/2 allowed on bike and pedestrian paths where bicycles may go, unless the local authority bans them. Class 3 only on paths within a street or highway, or where the local authority allows.
- Helmet
- Class 3: required for operators and passengers under 18. Not addressed for Class 1/2.
- Minimum age
- Class 3: 16 (younger riders may be passengers on a Class 3 built for passengers). None for Class 1/2.
- Speed limit or cap
- Motor assist stops at 20 mph (Class 1/2) or 28 mph (Class 3).
- Motor power cap
- 750 W
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license, registration or insurance provisions apply.
- Also worth knowing
- Manufacturers must label class, top assisted speed and motor wattage (since Jan. 1, 2018). Class 3 must have a speedometer. Text from the official Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 printout (uncertified PDF from the Colorado General Assembly). Amendments after the 2024 session were not checked.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: C.R.S. § 42-1-102(28.5); C.R.S. § 42-1-102(58); C.R.S. § 42-4-1412; C.R.S. § 42-4-221
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 42 (PDF, Colorado General Assembly)
- Colorado Legislative Council: Electric bicycles
E-scooters
How the law defines it: "Electric scooter": under 100 lb, handlebars, powered by an electric motor, top motor speed of 20 mph on level pavement. Excludes e-bikes, EPAMDs, motorcycles and low-power scooters. Not a motor vehicle.
Road
Allowed
Same rights and duties as other vehicle drivers; ride in the right-hand lane when slower than traffic. Cities may regulate scooters on their streets.
Bike lane
Allowed
Riders may ride two abreast on paths or road sections set aside for bicycles and scooters.
Sidewalk
Local rules decide
Allowed unless banned by signs or local ordinance. Must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing.
Paths and trails
Local rules decide
Pathway riding allowed unless banned by signs or local ordinance; riders have pedestrian rights and duties there.
- Helmet
- Not addressed in statute.
- Minimum age
- None in statute.
- Speed limit or cap
- Defined as 20 mph max on motor power.
- Motor power cap
- None in statute.
- License, registration, insurance
- Not a motor vehicle; no license, registration or insurance provisions apply.
- Also worth knowing
- Local rules for scooters may be no more restrictive than local rules for Class 1 e-bikes. Heavier moped-style "low-power scooters" (up to 4,476 W) are a separate class with license and registration rules. Text from the 2024 CRS printout; later amendments not checked.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: C.R.S. § 42-1-102(28.8); C.R.S. § 42-1-102(58); C.R.S. § 42-4-1412; C.R.S. § 42-4-221(8.5)
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 42 (PDF, Colorado General Assembly)
- Colorado Legislative Council: Electric bicycles and scooters
Electric boards (incl. Onewheel-style)
Not addressed in statute. We found no Colorado statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category.
Checked October 26, 2026
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.Electric unicycles
Not addressed in statute. We found no Colorado statute that covers this vehicle by name or by a definition that clearly fits it. That isn't permission: police and cities may treat it under another category. Colorado's EPAMD rules (roads allowed, no bike/pedestrian paths, 12.5 mph max) apply only to self-balancing devices with two side-by-side wheels, so they do not cover electric unicycles or one-wheel boards.
Checked October 26, 2026
Statutes: C.R.S. § 42-1-102(28.7); C.R.S. § 42-4-117
Something wrong in this section? Tell us.