Lighting equipment.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-70
in effectSec. 54-70. - Lighting equipment.
(a) When lighted lamps are required.
(1) Every vehicle upon a roadway within this city, between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as required by this section for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles.
(2) Whenever a requirement is declared by this section as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, such provisions shall apply during the times stated in subsection (a)(1) of this section in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.
(3) Whenever a requirement is declared by this section as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.
(b) Head lamps on motor vehicles.
(1) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle shall be equipped with at least two (2) head lamps with at least one (1) on each side of the front of the motor vehicle, which head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this article.
(2) Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one (1) and not more than two (2) head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this article where applicable thereto.
(3) Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than fifty-four (54) inches nor less than twenty-four (24) inches, to be measured as set forth in subsection (a)(3).
(4) A low-power scooter when in use at the times specified in the Colorado Revised Statutes, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front that shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front.
(c) Multiple-beam road lights.
(1) Except as provided in this article, the head lamps or the auxiliary driving lamp or the auxiliary passing lamp or combination thereof on motor vehicles, other than motorcycles or low-power scooters, shall be so arranged that the driver may select at will between distributions of light projected to different elevations, and such lamps may, in addition, be so arranged that such selection can be made automatically, subject to the following limitations:
a. There shall be an uppermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of such intensity as to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least three hundred fifty (350) feet ahead for all conditions of loading.
b. There shall be a lowermost distribution of light or composite beam so aimed and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet ahead; and on a straight level road under any condition of loading, none of the high-intensity portion of the beam shall be directed to strike the eyes of an approaching driver.
(2) A new motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle or low-power scooter, that has multiple-beam road-lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the head lamps is in use and shall not otherwise be lighted. Such indicator shall be so designed and located that when lighted it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle so equipped.
(3) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in subsection (a), the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations:
a. Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred (500) feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light or composite beam so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light or composite beam specified in subsection (c)(1)b. shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading.
b. Whenever the driver of a vehicle follows another vehicle within two hundred (200) feet to the rear, except when engaged in the act of overtaking and passing, such driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under this chapter other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in subsection (c)(1)a.
(4) Head lamps arranged to provide a single distribution of light not supplemented by auxiliary driving lamps shall be permitted for neighborhood electric vehicles or low-speed electric vehicles in lieu of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment specified in this subsection (c) if the single distribution of light complies with the requirements of paragraph (1)b. of this subsection (c).
(d) Tail lamps and reflectors.
(1) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer and pole trailer and any other vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one (1) tail lamp mounted on the rear, which, when lighted as required in subsection (a), shall emit a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear; but, in the case of a train of vehicles, only the tail lamp on the rear-most vehicle need actually be seen from the distance specified. Furthermore, every such vehicle, other than a truck tractor, registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958, shall be equipped with at least two (2) tail lamps mounted on the rear, on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which, when lighted as required in subsection (a), shall comply with the provisions of this subsection.
(2) Every tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than seventy-two (72) inches nor less than twenty (20) inches.
(3) Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.
(4) Every motor vehicle operated on and after January 1, 1958, upon a roadway in the city, shall carry on the rear, either as part of the tail lamps or separately, two (2) red reflectors; except that every motorcycle shall carry at least one reflector meeting the requirements of this section; and vehicles having either a width at any part in excess of eighty (80) inches, an overall length, including the combination of all towed vehicles, in excess of thirty (30) feet, or both such width and length, shall be equipped with reflectors as required by the clearance and identification section of the current version of the Colorado "Uniform Safety Code of 1935," as amended.
(5) Every new motor vehicle sold and operated on and after January 1, 1958, upon a highway, other than a truck tractor, shall carry on the rear, whether as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two (2) red reflectors; except that every motorcycle shall carry at least one (1) reflector meeting the requirements of this section; and except that vehicles having either a width at any part in excess of eighty (80) inches, an overall length, including the combination of all towed vehicles, in excess of thirty (30) feet, or both such width and length, shall be equipped with reflectors as required by the clearance and identification section of the current version of the Colorado "Uniform Safety Code of 1935," as amended.
(6) Every new motor vehicle sold and operated on and after January 1, 1958, upon a highway, other than a truck tractor, shall carry on the rear, whether as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two (2) red reflectors; except that every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall carry at least one (1) reflector meeting the requirements of this section, and vehicles of the type mentioned in C.R.S. 1973, 42-4-206, shall be equipped with reflectors as required in those sections applicable thereto.
(7) Every such reflector shall be mounted on the vehicle at a height not less than twenty (20) inches nor more than sixty (60) inches, measured as set forth in subsection (a)(3) and shall be of such size and characteristics and so mounted as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred fifty (350) feet to one hundred (100) feet from such vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams and head lamps; except that visibility from a greater distance is required by law of reflectors on certain types of vehicles.
(8) Paragraph (3) of this subsection 54-70(d) shall not apply to neighborhood electric vehicles.
(9) A low-power scooter shall be equipped with a red reflector on the rear, of a type approved by the State of Colorado that shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light may be used in addition to the rear reflector.
(e) Stop lamps and turn signals.
(1) Every motor vehicle or motor-drawn vehicle shall be equipped with a stop light in good working order at all times and shall meet the requirements of subsection (f)(1).
(2) No person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways any motor vehicle registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958, unless it is equipped with at least two (2) stop lamps meeting the requirements of subsection (f)(1); except that a motorcycle manufactured or assembled after such date shall be equipped with at least one (1) stop lamp meeting the requirements of subsection (f)(1).
(3) No person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1958, and no person shall operate any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer on the highways when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty-four (24) inches, unless it is equipped with electrical turn signals meeting the requirements of subsection (f)(2). This subsection (3) shall not apply to any motorcycle or low-power scooter, nor to any trailer or semitrailer where the turn signals on the towing vehicle are clearly visible to the extent required of such turn signals by subsection (f)(2).
(f) Signal lamps and devices; additional lighting equipment.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this chapter, shall be equipped with a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet to the rear in normal sunlight, and which shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake, and which may but need not be incorporated with one (1) or more other rear lamps. Such stop lamp or lamps may also be automatically actuated by a mechanical device when the vehicle is reducing speed or stopping. If two (2) or more stop lamps are installed on any motor vehicle, any device actuating such lamps shall be so designed and installed that all stop lamps are actuated by such device.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped, and when required under this chapter, shall be equipped with lamps showing to the front and rear for the purpose of indicating an intention to turn either to the right or to the left. Such lamps showing to the front shall be located on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and when in use shall display a white or amber light, or any shade of color between white and amber, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet to the front in normal sunlight, and the lamps showing to the rear shall be located at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and when in use shall display a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber, visible from a distance of not less than one hundred (100) feet to the rear in normal sunlight. When actuated, such lamps shall indicate the intended direction of turning by flashing the light showing to the front and rear on the side toward which the turn is made.
(3) No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light.
(4) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two (2) side cowl or fender lamps which shall emit an amber or white light without glare.
(5) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one (1) runningboard courtesy lamp on each side thereof, which shall emit a white or amber light without glare.
(6) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two (2) back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but no such back-up lamp shall be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion.
(7) Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing and, when so equipped and when the vehicle is not in motion and at no other time, may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this chapter. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than five hundred (500) feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
(8) Any commercial vehicle eighty (80) inches or more in overall width may be equipped with not more than three (3) identification lamps showing to the front which shall emit an amber light without glare and not more than three (3) identification lamps showing to the rear which shall emit a red light without glare. Such lamps shall be placed in a row and may be mounted either horizontally or vertically.
(g) Flashing lights prohibited. Flashing lights are prohibited on vehicles except as a means of signaling right or left turns, and any motor vehicle may be equipped with such automatic directional signaling devices, but the same shall not be required; provided, that emergency vehicles as provided for in this chapter, are excepted from the provisions of this subsection.
(h) Lamp or flag on projecting load. Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four (4) feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the time specified in subsection (a), a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required under this subsection shall be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than twelve (12) inches square and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear.
(i) Lamps on parked vehicles.
(1) Whenever a vehicle is lawfully parked upon a roadway during the hours between sunset and sunrise and in the event there is sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet upon such highway, no lights need be displayed upon such parked vehicle.
(2) Whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the hours between sunset and sunrise and there is not sufficient light to reveal any person or object within a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet upon such highway, such vehicle so parked or stopped shall be equipped with one (1) or more operating lamps meeting the following requirements: At least one (1) lamp shall display a white or amber light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the front of the vehicle, and the same lamp or at least one (1) other lamp shall display a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the vehicle, and the location of the lamp or lamps shall always be such that at least one (1) lamp or combination of lamps meeting the requirements of this section is installed as near as practicable to the side of the vehicle that is closer to passing traffic. The foregoing provisions shall not apply to a low power scooter.
(3) Any lighted head lamps upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed.
(j) Spot lamps and auxiliary lamps.
(1) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two (2) spot lamps, and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than one hundred (100) feet ahead of the vehicle.
(2) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two (2) fog lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twelve (12) inches nor more than thirty (30) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands and so aimed that, when the vehicle is not loaded, none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle shall, at a distance of twenty-five (25) feet ahead, project higher than a level of four (4) inches below the level of the center of the lamp from which it comes. Lighted fog lamps meeting the requirements of this subsection (2) may be used with lower head-lamp beams as specified in subsection (c)(1)b.
(3) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two (2) auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than twenty (20) inches nor more than forty-two (42) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of subsection (c) shall apply to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary passing lamps.
(4) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two (2) auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than sixteen (16) inches nor more than forty-two (42) inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. The provisions of subsection (c) shall apply to any combination of head lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
(Code 1950, §§ 507.3, 517.22; Ord. No. 629-98, §§ 3, 4, 9-8-98; Ord. No. 755-98, §§ 1, 2, 11-2-98; Ord. No. 686-09, § 2, 11-23-09)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH54TRRE_ARTIVEQVE_S54-70LIEQFetched: 10/27/2026