Colorado E-Bike Laws
Colorado uses the three-class system (C.R.S. 42-1-102(28.5)): Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph. Class 1 and 2 may be ridden on bike and pedestrian paths where bicycles are allowed unless the local authority prohibits them; Class 3 may not be ridden on a bike or pedestrian path unless the path is within a street or highway or the local authority permits it (42-4-1412(14)). No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 e-bike, and everyone under 18 on a Class 3 e-bike, operator or passenger, must wear a helmet (42-4-1412(15)). Electric scooters are a separate defined category, expressly excluded from 'toy vehicle' (42-1-102(28.8), (103.5)(c)), and carry the same rights and duties as bicycles under 42-4-1412.
Colorado adopted the 3-class e-bike system in 2017 (HB 17-1151), defined at C.R.S. 42-1-102(28.5): Class 1 pedal-assist to 20 mph, Class 2 throttle-assist to 20 mph, Class 3 pedal-assist to 28 mph, all with motors not exceeding 750 watts. E-bikes are treated as bicycles. Class 1 & 2: may be ridden on bike and pedestrian paths where bicycles are authorized to travel, unless the local authority prohibits them (C.R.S. 42-4-1412(14)(a)). Class 3: not allowed on bike or pedestrian paths unless the path is within a street or highway or the local authority permits it (42-4-1412(14)(b)). No one under 16 may operate a Class 3 e-bike, though a person under 16 may ride as a passenger on one designed to accommodate passengers, and every operator or passenger under 18 on a Class 3 e-bike must wear a properly secured bicycle helmet (42-4-1412(15)). Electric scooters are their own defined category under Colorado law (C.R.S. 42-1-102(28.8)), expressly excluded from 'toy vehicles' (42-1-102(103.5)(c)), and have bicycle-like rights and duties (42-4-1412(1)); check local ordinances for sidewalk and road-speed restrictions. Denver and other cities have scooter-share programs with specific regulations.