Disclaimer

This article was written by a contributing author, and is not meant to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to replace the state statutes. Do your due diligence, cross-check the statutes linked, and communicate with your local municipalities, registrar, or commissioner to ensure that you remain compliant and avoid costly fees.

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State Overview

Just like every other state, Colorado comes with its own set of unique laws and regulations surrounding the use of LED lighting for an emergency vehicle and an authorized emergency vehicle.

Unlike most states, Colorado comes with a relatively relaxed set of laws surrounding emergency vehicle lights, particularly when it comes to which vehicles can use which colored lights. Their regulations and provisions are relatively easy to follow, but as always, make sure to contact your local municipalities and code enforcement for laws surrounding your authorized emergency vehicle lighting needs.

Law Enforcement Statutes 

Police, Marshall, and Sheriff Vehicle

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-213 requires that each police vehicle or law enforcement vehicle come equipped with at least one signal lamp mounted as high as possible. It must be capable of emitting a red light that is flashing, oscillating, rotating to the front and rear of the vehicle. It must also be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. 

In addition to the red light, a police car or law enforcement vehicle may come equipped with a flashing, oscillating, or rotating emergency light that emits blue, white, or a combination of blue and white.

A police vehicle and law enforcement vehicle may also come equipped with a green light that flashes. This warning light must be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight. This emergency light is intended to be used to indicate a stationary emergency command post or center.

Motorists are required to yield to a police vehicle or law enforcement vehicle by either changing lanes to create a safe environment for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or by pulling off the road or highway completely to allow safe passage.

Law enforcement is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and any other traffic law necessary to promptly arrive at an emergency scene. They must do so with due regard for the safety of all motorists on the road or highway to avoid an accident.

Fire and EMS Statues

Fire Trucks and Fire Chief SUVs

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-213 requires that each fire truck or authorized emergency vehicle used by the fire department come equipped with at least one signal lamp mounted as high as possible. It must be capable of emitting a red light that is flashing, oscillating, rotating to the front and rear of the vehicle. It must also be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight.

Vehicles owned and operated by the fire department may also display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating signal light that is blue, white, or a combination of blue and white. 

Motorists are required to yield to a fire truck or other authorized emergency vehicle used by the fire department by either changing lanes to create a safe environment for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or by pulling off the road or highway completely to allow safe passage.

A fire truck or other authorized emergency vehicle used by the fire department is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and any other traffic law necessary to promptly arrive at an emergency scene. They must do so with due regard for the safety of all motorists on the road or highway to avoid an accident.

Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles

Volunteer firefighter vehicles must come equipped with a red light flashing, oscillating, rotating to the front and rear of the vehicle. They must be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight per Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-222.

In addition to the red light, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating white or white and red light may be attached to the vehicle. At least one of the lights must be attached to the highest point of the fire truck or authorized emergency vehicle. 

To display this red, white, or red and white combination, the volunteer must obtain permission from the fire chief or chief executive officer of the ambulance service that they volunteer at.

Motorists are required to yield to a fire truck or other authorized emergency vehicle used by the fire department by either changing lanes to create a safe environment for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or by pulling off the road or highway completely to allow safe passage.

A fire truck or other authorized emergency vehicle used by the fire department is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and any other traffic law necessary to promptly arrive at an emergency scene. They must do so with due regard for the safety of all motorists on the road or highway to avoid an accident.

Ambulance and EMT Vehicles

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-213 requires that an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle used for emergency medical purposes come equipped with at least one signal lamp mounted as high as possible. It must be capable of emitting a red light that is flashing, oscillating, rotating to the front and rear of the vehicle. It must be visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight.

Vehicles owned and operated by the emergency medical company may also display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating signal light that is blue, white, or a combination of blue and white.

Motorists are required to yield to an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle used for emergency medical purposes by either changing lanes to create a safe environment for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or by pulling off the road or highway completely to allow safe passage.

An ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle used for emergency medical purposes is permitted to disregard the posted speed limit and any other traffic law necessary to promptly arrive at an emergency scene. They must do so with due regard for the safety of all motorists on the road or highway to avoid an accident.

Commercial and Amber Statutes

Security Vehicles

When it comes to security vehicles, they are permitted to display an emergency light or warning light that is yellow and flashing, oscillating, or rotating with a visibility distance at 500 feet, according to Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. The must be mounted as high as possible on the vehicle.

Wreckers and Tow Trucks

A tow truck or wrecker is permitted to display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating yellow light visible at a distance of 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight per Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. No other light combinations are permitted.

The lights must only be used when indicating a potential road or safety hazard that traffic needs to be aware of to avoid a car accident.

Tractors

A tractor is permitted to display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating yellow light visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight per Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. No other light combinations are permitted.

The lights must only be used when indicating a potential road or safety hazard that traffic needs to be aware of to avoid a car accident.

Utility Vehicles

A utility vehicle is permitted to display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating yellow light visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight per Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. No other light combinations are permitted.

The lights must only be used when indicating a potential road or safety hazard that traffic needs to be aware of to avoid a car accident.

Pilot and Escort Vehicles

A pilot vehicle is permitted to display an emergency light or warning lights that are yellow and flashing, oscillating, or rotating with a visibility distance at 500 feet according to Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. The must be mounted as high as possible on the vehicle.

Colorado requires pilot vehicle drivers to take a certification class and obtain certification to gain permission to utilize these warning lights. 

Construction Vehicles

A construction vehicle is permitted to display a flashing, oscillating, or rotating yellow light visible at 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions and sunlight per Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. No other light combinations are permitted.

The lights must only be used when indicating a potential road or safety hazard that traffic needs to be aware of to avoid a car accident.

Funeral Procession

As a funeral procession pilot car falls under the same category as a pilot car, the procession is permitted to display an emergency light or warning lights that are yellow and flashing, oscillating, or rotating with a visibility distance at 500 feet according to Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-14. The must be mounted as high as possible on the vehicle.

Colorado requires pilot vehicle drivers to take a certification class and obtain certification to gain permission to utilize these warning lights.

Personal Use 

Emergency Lights On Personal Vehicles

No additional provisions are made for the use of emergency lighting for personal vehicles aside from when necessary for an authorized emergency vehicle as a volunteer for the fire department or as an emergency medical vehicle.

No regulations are cited either, so contact your local municipalities and code enforce to double-check what permissions you may have allowed to you.

Summary

Special Permits

As indicated in the different sections for different vehicle types, special permits must be obtained by your or your company before using emergency or warning lights. 

Takeaway

Colorado uses a blanket LED light rule for many industries. This takes away a lot of confusion and ambiguity from different provisions and regulations from company to company.

As always, please make sure that you contact your local municipalities before operating your authorized emergency vehicle lighting to ensure that you fall are abiding by state regulations. This is not an exhaustive description of all rules and laws, nor is it legal advice. Do your due diligence to avoid costly fines and fees.