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Are side-by-sides street legal in Colorado?

Colorado's law on side-by-sides and ATVs on public roads, quoted from its own page, with the conditions, equipment and plate rule.

The law in Colorado

Side-by-side (UTV): Only where it is allowed locally. In Colorado, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(1) It is unlawful to operate an off-highway vehicle on the public streets, roads, or highways of this state, regardless of the state or other jurisdiction in which the off-highway vehicle is registered or titled, except in the following cases: ... (f) When local political subdivisions have authorized by ordinance or resolution the establishment of off-highway vehicle routes to permit the operation of off-highway vehicles on city streets or county roads, but no street or road which is part of the state highway system may be so designated;"
ATV (quad): Only where it is allowed locally. In Colorado, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.
"(1) It is unlawful to operate an off-highway vehicle on the public streets, roads, or highways of this state, regardless of the state or other jurisdiction in which the off-highway vehicle is registered or titled, except in the following cases: ... (f) When local political subdivisions have authorized by ordinance or resolution the establishment of off-highway vehicle routes to permit the operation of off-highway vehicles on city streets or county roads, but no street or road which is part of the state highway system may be so designated;"
Dirt bike: Yes, with a plate. Colorado lets you register a dirt bike for public roads if it meets the state's rules.
"This form is to be used when a two-wheel off-road motorcycle has been converted to a motorcycle eligible for highway use."

Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 33 (33-14.5-108. Off-highway vehicle operation prohibited on streets, roads, and highways.), checked November 2026.

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Side-by-side (UTV) · Colorado

Where locally allowed

Only where it is allowed locally. In Colorado, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it.

"(1) It is unlawful to operate an off-highway vehicle on the public streets, roads, or highways of this state, regardless of the state or other jurisdiction in which the off-highway vehicle is registered or titled, except in the following cases: ... (f) When local political subdivisions have authorized by ordinance or resolution the establishment of off-highway vehicle routes to permit the operation of off-highway vehicles on city streets or county roads, but no street or road which is part of the state highway system may be so designated;"

Conditions

"(a) When a street, road, or highway is designated open by the state or any agency of the state;"
"(b) When crossing streets or when crossing roads, highways, or railroad tracks in accordance with section 33-14.5-108.5;"
"(g) When using an off-highway vehicle for agricultural purposes;"
"The driver of an off-highway vehicle may directly cross a roadway, including a state highway, at an at-grade crossing to continue using the off-highway vehicle on the other side."
"A driver of an off-highway vehicle must cross a divided highway at an intersection of the highway with another road or highway."

Required equipment (2)

At least one lighted head lamp and one lighted tail lamp, each having the minimum candlepower prescribed by regulation of the division while being operated between the hours of sunset and sunrise;
Brakes and a muffler and spark arrester which conform to the standards prescribed by regulation of the division

Riding in Colorado

79 off-road parks listed in Colorado. National forest roads open to your vehicle today.

See Colorado off-road parks

Other states

Side-by-side and ATV road laws in other states

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Common questions

Street legal UTV questions

Only where it is allowed locally. In Colorado, a side-by-side may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 33 (33-14.5-108. Off-highway vehicle operation prohibited on streets, roads, and highways.).

Only where it is allowed locally. In Colorado, an ATV may use a public road only where a city, county or road authority opens it. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 33 (33-14.5-108. Off-highway vehicle operation prohibited on streets, roads, and highways.).

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