Colorado State Moped & Scooter Laws
Cruising through Denver on a moped or scooter can be a fun way to get around town, but do you understand the rules of the road? Understanding Colorado moped and scooter laws is crucial for your safety.
Mopeds
The word “moped” combines the words “motor” and “pedal.” As you might expect, a moped is partly self-propelled and partly engine-propelled. Moped laws in Colorado, as well as other states, apply special restrictions designed to ensure rider safety.
Gas-Powered vs. Electric Mopeds
The first mopeds were gas-powered, but now, many of them are electric. Colorado law will not allow a gas-powered moped to exceed an engine size of 50cc, and it will not allow an electric moped to operate with more than 4,476 watts. Colorado strictly enforces these restrictions. It’s not that you can’t operate a moped that exceeds these restrictions. It’s just that if you do, Colorado will regulate your vehicle as a motorcycle, not a moped.
Moped Licensing and Helmet Requirements
You can drive a moped on the road with qualifications. Colorado does not issue a special moped license–all you need is an ordinary Colorado driver’s license. Accordingly, you cannot operate a moped (other than on a learner’s permit) unless you are at least 16 years old. If you are under 18, you must wear a DOT-approved helmet while operating a moped.
Insurance
Colorado requires you to purchase the following mandatory minimum insurance, called “25/50/15,” to operate a moped on public roads:
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance; and
- $15,000 in property damage liability insurance.
These insurance requirements are the same requirements you need to drive a car. Colorado strongly encourages motorists, including moped and motorcycle accidents, to purchase optional insurance such as:
- Collision coverage for traffic accident damage to your vehicle and
- Comprehensive coverage to protect your vehicle against vandalism, theft, fire, or flood.
You can also purchase other optional insurance, such as uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance.
The Rules of the Road for Mopeds
In Colorado, traffic laws distinguish between automobiles, bicycles, and mopeds. While cars must generally stay out of bicycle lanes and bicycles must avoid automobile lanes, mopeds may be permitted in both, depending on local regulations. Always check specific city or county laws to ensure compliance.
Mopeds are strictly prohibited on highways, particularly interstate highways, due to their low speeds, which can disrupt traffic and increase accident risks. Additionally, mopeds are not allowed on:
- Sidewalks
- Pedestrian walkways
- Limited-access highways or turnpikes
- Any area where bicycles are prohibited
Violating these restrictions can endanger both moped riders and others on the road.
Colorado’s DUI laws apply equally to mopeds and automobiles. Operating a moped while intoxicated carries the same legal consequences as driving a car under the influence, including potential jail time.
Scooter Laws in Colorado
What is the difference between a motorcycle and a scooter? Many people use these terms interchangeably. Nevertheless, when most people make a distinction, it comes down to the fact that you stand up on a moped and drive it using handlebars. A moped’s platform is lower than the platform of a motorcycle. You operate a scooter, by contrast, in a sitting position, like a motorcycle.
The size of the engine matters most. 150cc motor scooters, for example, are legal to operate in Colorado, but Colorado classifies them as motorcycles. To operate one of these, you’ll need a motorcycle license, and you must obey motorcycle regulations to avoid a motorcycle accident.
Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you were injured in a moped or scooter accident in Denver, you may be facing significant medical expenses, property damage, and challenges dealing with insurance companies. Head injuries, in particular, can lead to costly medical bills, and in cases of wrongful death or catastrophic injury, legal representation is often essential.
Attorney’s fees should not be a barrier to seeking justice. Under a contingency fee arrangement, which more personal injury lawyers use, legal fees are a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation—meaning you pay nothing unless your case is successful. Ultimately, the defendant, not you, covers the cost of legal representation.
Contact our Denver Personal Injury Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver personal injury lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, and proudly serve all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
Find us with our Geocoordinates: 39.75208145814397, -105.00017355026108
About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
