MISCELLANEOUS RULES OF THE ROAD

Colorado Springs City Code ch. 10, art. 23

in effect

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.101 OBSTRUCTION OF VIEW OR DRIVING MECHANISM

10.23.101: OBSTRUCTION OF VIEW OR DRIVING MECHANISM: A. No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat a number of persons, exceeding three (3), as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle, or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle. B. No person shall knowingly drive a vehicle while any passenger is riding in any manner which endangers the safety of such passenger or others. C. No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with a video display visible to the driver while the motor vehicle is in motion. This subsection does not prohibit the usage of a computer, data terminal, or safety equipment in a motor vehicle so long as the computer, data terminal, or safety equipment is not used to display visual entertainment, including internet browsing, social media, and e-mail, to the driver while the motor vehicle is in motion. D. No vehicle shall be operated upon any highway unless the driver's vision through any required glass equipment is normal and unobstructed. E. No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in a position as to create a hazard for the passenger or others, or to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle; nor shall the driver of a vehicle permit any passenger to ride in such a manner. (1968 Code §6-23-1; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 14-70)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.102 UNLAWFUL RIDING

10.23.102: UNLAWFUL RIDING: No person shall hang on or otherwise attach their person to the outside, top, hood, or fenders of any vehicle, or to any other portion thereof, other than the specific enclosed portion of the vehicle intended for passengers or while in a sitting position in the cargo area of a vehicle if the area is fully or partially enclosed on all four (4) sides, while the same is in motion; nor shall the operator knowingly permit any person to hang on, or otherwise attach their person to the outside, top, hood, or fenders of any vehicle, or any other portion thereof, other than the specific enclosed portion of the vehicle intended for passengers or while in a sitting position in the cargo area of a vehicle if the area is fully or partially enclosed on all four (4) sides, while the same is in motion. This section shall not apply to parades, caravans or exhibitions which are officially authorized or otherwise permitted by law. The above provisions shall not apply to a vehicle owned by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or to a vehicle owned by the State of Colorado or any of its political subdivisions, or to a privately owned vehicle when operating in a governmental capacity under contract with or permit from any governmental subdivision or under permit issued by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Colorado when, in the performance of their duties, persons are required to stand or sit on the exterior of the vehicle and the vehicle is equipped with adequate handrails and safeguards. (1968 Code §6-23-2; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.103 BOARDING OR ALIGHTING FROM VEHICLES

10.23.103: BOARDING OR ALIGHTING FROM VEHICLES: No person shall board or alight from any vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. (1968 Code §6-23-3; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.104 RIDING IN TRAILERS

10.23.104: RIDING IN TRAILERS: No person or persons shall occupy a trailer while it is being moved upon a street or highway. (1968 Code §6-23-4; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.105 OPENING AND CLOSING VEHICLE DOORS

10.23.105: OPENING AND CLOSING VEHICLE DOORS: No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the right side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. (1968 Code §6-23-5; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.106 LIMITATIONS ON BACKING

10.23.106: LIMITATIONS ON BACKING: The driver of a vehicle may back the same on any street or highway or elsewhere in the City, other than a controlled access roadway, only when the movement is made with safety and without interfering with other traffic. Evidence that a backing vehicle collided with any person or object shall create a rebuttable presumption that the backing movement was unsafe. (1968 Code §6-23-6; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.107 COASTING PROHIBITED

10.23.107: COASTING PROHIBITED: A. The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a downgrade of a street or highway shall not coast with the gears of the vehicle in neutral. B. The driver of a commercial motor vehicle when traveling upon a downgrade of a street or highway shall not coast with the clutch disengaged. (1968 Code §6-23-7; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.108 FOLLOWING FIRE APPARATUS

10.23.108: FOLLOWING FIRE APPARATUS: The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet (500'), or drive into or park a vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. (1968 Code §6-23-8; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.109 CROSSING FIRE HOSE

10.23.109: CROSSING FIRE HOSE: No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a Fire Department used at any fire, alarm of fire or practice run laid down on any street, private driveway or highway except at the direction of a firefighter or a police officer. (1968 Code §6-23-9; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.110 FOREIGN MATTER ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS

10.23.110: FOREIGN MATTER ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS: A. No person shall throw or deposit upon any street or highway within this City any glass bottle, glass, stones, nails, tacks, wire, cans, or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal or vehicle; nor shall any person dump, deposit, throw or leave any litter on any public or private property in this City, except in a receptacle or container provided for this purpose. B. Any person who drops or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any street or highway or structure within this City any destructive or injurious material or lighted or burning substance, shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed. C. Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a street or highway within this City shall remove any glass or injurious substance dropped upon the street or highway from the vehicle. (1968 Code §6-23-10; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.111 PARADES OR PROCESSIONS; PERMITS

10.23.111: PARADES OR PROCESSIONS; PERMITS: No funeral procession or parade, except the forces of the United States armed services, the military forces of this State, and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments, shall occupy, march or proceed along any street in this City except in accord with a permit issued by the Chief of Police and in compliance with other regulations as are set forth in this Code. (1968 Code §6-23-11; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.112 FUNERAL PROCESSIONS AND ESCORT OFFICERS

10.23.112: FUNERAL PROCESSIONS AND ESCORT OFFICERS: A. Powers And Authority Of Funeral Escort Officers: Funeral escort officers are empowered to escort funeral processions from funeral homes, mortuaries, residences or other places where the last services are held, to the place of interment, and to redirect traffic at intersections during escorts in the City of Colorado Springs. B. Escort Vehicles: Each funeral procession shall be accompanied by escorts, and the escorts shall be considered emergency vehicles within the meaning of this chapter, subject however to the provisions under State law as to qualification of emergency vehicles. The number of escort vehicles accompanying any procession shall be not less than three (3). C. Use Of Flashing Lights Required: All funeral escort vehicles shall display flashing lights while in a funeral procession. D. Notification Required: A minimum of two (2) hours prior to conducting a funeral escort in the City of Colorado Springs, a funeral escort agency shall notify the Colorado Springs Police Department Communications Center via facsimile of any funeral procession escorts. The notification shall include: the time and date of the funeral escort, the beginning location, the destination, the approximate number of vehicles being escorted and the proposed route if known at the time of notification. E. Right Of Way Generally: 1. Each vehicle of a funeral procession, when identified with lighted headlamps, and each escort vehicle, when identified by the operation of red overhead emergency lights, may proceed regardless of official traffic control devices, and shall have the right of way over any other vehicle, and the operator of any other vehicle shall yield the right of way regardless of traffic directions displayed on an official traffic control device. This provision shall not apply at an intersection controlled by a police officer. 2. At no time will a procession proceed through a red light or operate contrary to any traffic control device unless by the direction of a funeral escort officer or police officer. 3. Every procession shall proceed at speeds within the existing speed limits governing and presently in force, consistent with traffic conditions, and the funeral escort officer may, if in the officer's best judgment, reduce this speed or bring the procession to a complete stop. 4. Each driver in a funeral or other authorized procession shall maintain lighted headlamps and shall follow the vehicle ahead as close as practicable for safe operation. 5. Funeral processions shall yield to other authorized emergency vehicles. 6. Each driver in a funeral procession shall drive as near to the right hand edge of the roadway as practicable and shall follow the vehicle ahead as closely as is practicable and safe. 7. No driver of a vehicle shall drive between or join the vehicles comprising a funeral procession while the vehicles are in motion and when the vehicles are conspicuously designated as required in this section. This provision shall not apply at intersections where traffic is controlled by police officers. (Ord. 88-244; Ord. 92-27; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 11-19; Ord. 11-23; Ord. 14-32)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.113 MOTORCYCLE RULES

10.23.113: MOTORCYCLE RULES: A. No person shall operate any motorcycle on any street or highway within this City unless the person and any passenger is wearing eye goggles or eyeglasses made of safety glass or plastic lens. B. Any motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall be equipped with footrests for the passengers. C. Every person operating a motorcycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as to special regulations and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application. D. A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular attached seat, and the operator shall not carry any other person, nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator. E. A person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing forward, with one leg on either side of the motorcycle. F. No person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying packages, bundles or other articles which prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars. G. No person shall carry any person, nor shall any person ride, in a position that will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of the operator. H. All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a traffic lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a traffic lane. This subsection shall not apply to motorcycles operated two (2) abreast in a single lane. I. The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake or pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. J. No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. K. Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two (2) abreast in a single lane. L. Subsections I and J of this section shall not apply to police officers in the performance of their official duties. M. No person riding upon a motorcycle shall attach the person or the motorcycle to any other vehicle on the roadway. (1968 Code §6-23-13; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 77-111; Ord. 88-151; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 21-23)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.114 RAILROAD TRAINS NOT TO BLOCK STREETS, INTERSECTIONS

10.23.114: RAILROAD TRAINS NOT TO BLOCK STREETS, INTERSECTIONS: It shall be unlawful for any person to direct, order or permit the operation or operate any railroad train in a manner as to prevent the use of the street or roadway for purposes of vehicular or foot travel by blocking or otherwise preventing the movement of traffic for any period of time longer than five (5) consecutive minutes in duration, and if a street or roadway is blocked for a period of five (5) minutes, it shall be left clear for a period of at least five (5) minutes before it is again blocked. The provisions of this section shall not apply to trains traveling continuously in the same direction through the intersection or crossing. (1968 Code §6-23-14; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.115 INTERFERE WITH MOTOR VEHICLE OF ANOTHER

10.23.115: INTERFERE WITH MOTOR VEHICLE OF ANOTHER: It shall be unlawful for any person who is not the owner or operator to tamper, meddle or interfere with any motor vehicle or to start the machinery while the same is standing still, or to puncture or otherwise mutilate the tires or to scratch, mark or otherwise deface the body or apparatus, or to take or remove from the motor vehicle any part or portion of the machinery, equipment or other portion, or to throw, cast or hurl any stones, rock, glass or other missile at any automobile or motorcycle or the occupant or occupants. (1968 Code §6-23-15; Ord. 75-86; Ord. 01-42)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.116 SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS; MANDATORY USE

10.23.116: SAFETY BELT SYSTEMS; MANDATORY USE: A. Required: Unless exempted pursuant to subsection B of this section, every driver of and every front seat passenger in a motor vehicle equipped with a safety belt system shall wear a fastened safety belt while the motor vehicle is being operated on any street or highway within the City. Drivers and any front seat passenger traveling in a motor vehicle or an autocycle equipped with a lap and a shoulder belt, or any other belt or combination of belts installed in the motor vehicle, must wear all belts designed to restrain the driver and any front seat passenger in order to comply with this subsection. B. Exempt: The requirement of subsection A of this section shall not apply to the following: 1. A child required by Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-4-236 or any other applicable law to be restrained by a child restraint system; 2. A member of an ambulance team, other than the driver, while involved in patient care; 3. A peace officer, as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 18-1-901(3)(l)(I), while performing official duties so long as the performance of the duties is in accord with rules and regulations applicable to the officer which are at least as restrictive as subsection A of this section and which only provide exceptions necessary to protect the officer; 4. A person with a physically or psychologically disabling condition whose physical or psychological disability prevents appropriate restraint by a safety belt system if the person possesses a written statement by a physician certifying the condition and stating the reason why the restraint is inappropriate; 5. A person driving or riding in a motor vehicle not equipped with a safety belt system due to the fact that Federal law does not require the vehicle to be so equipped; 6. A rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing duties as a rural letter carrier; and 7. A person operating a motor vehicle for commercial or residential delivery or pick up service; provided, however, that the person shall be required to wear a fastened safety belt during the time period prior to the first delivery or pick up of the day and during the time period following the last delivery or pick up of the day. C. Violation: No driver in a motor vehicle or autocycle shall be cited for a violation of subsection A of this section unless the driver was stopped by a law enforcement officer for an alleged violation of this chapter other than a violation of this section, or unless the driver was stopped by a law enforcement officer for an alleged violation of articles 1 to 4 of title 42 Colorado Revised Statutes other than a violation of section 42-4-237, "Safety belt systems - mandatory use - exemptions - penalty". Probable cause must have existed for the stop, although an officer need not cite the driver for the alleged violation constituting an independent basis for the stop. D. Definitions: MOTOR VEHICLE: A self-propelled vehicle intended primarily for use and operation on the public highways and includes passenger cars, station wagons, vans, taxicabs, ambulances, motor homes, and pickups. The term does not include motorcycles, low-power scooters, bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles, electric scooters, EPAMD, passenger buses, school buses, and farm tractors and implements of husbandry designed primarily or exclusively for use in agricultural operations. SAFETY BELT SYSTEM: A system utilizing a lap belt, a shoulder belt, or any other belt or combination of belts installed in a motor vehicle or an autocycle to restrain drivers and passengers, which system conforms to Federal motor vehicle safety standards. (Ord. 87-130; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 10-83; Ord. 21-23)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.117 CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS; MANDATORY USE

10.23.117: CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS; MANDATORY USE: A. Definitions: As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM: A specific seating system that is designed to protect, hold, or restrain a child in a motor vehicle so as to prevent or minimize injury to the child in the event of a motor vehicle accident that is either permanently affixed to a motor vehicle or is affixed to the vehicle by a safety belt or universal attachment system, and that conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. CHILDCARE CENTER: A facility required to be licensed under the "Child Care Licensing Act", article 6 of title 26, Colorado Revised Statutes. MOTOR VEHICLE: A passenger car, a pickup truck, or a van, minivan, or sport utility vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand (10,000) pounds. For purposes of this section "motor vehicle" does not include motorcycles that are not autocycles, low power scooters, bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles, electric scooters, EPAMD, and farm tractors and implements of husbandry designed primarily or exclusively for use in agricultural operations. SAFETY BELT: A lap belt, a shoulder belt, or any other belt or combination of belts installed in a motor vehicle to restrain drivers and passengers, except any belt which is physically a part of a child restraint system. "Safety belt" includes the anchorages, the buckles, and all other equipment directly related to the operation of safety belts. Proper use of a safety belt means the shoulder belt, if present, crosses the shoulder and chest and the lap belt crosses the hips, touching the thighs. SEATING POSITION: Any motor vehicle interior space intended by the motor vehicle manufacturer to provide seating accommodation while the motor vehicle is in motion. B. Restraint Required: 1. Unless exempted pursuant to subsection C of this section, and except as otherwise provided in subsections B1a and B1b of this section, every child, who is under eight (8) years of age and who is being transported in this City in a motor vehicle or in a vehicle operated by a childcare center, shall be properly restrained in a child restraint system, according to the manufacturer's instructions: a. If the child is less than one year of age and weighs less than twenty (20) pounds, the child shall be properly restrained in a rear facing child restraint system in a rear seat of the vehicle. b. If the child is one year of age or older, but less than four (4) years of age, and weighs less than forty (40) pounds, but at least twenty (20) pounds, the child shall be properly restrained in a rear facing or forward facing child restraint system. 2. Unless excepted pursuant to subsection C of this section, every child, who is at least eight (8) years of age, but who is less than sixteen (16) years of age, who is being transported in this City in a motor vehicle or in a vehicle operated by a childcare center shall be properly restrained in a safety belt or child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions. 3. If a parent is in the motor vehicle, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that his or her child or children are provided with, and that they properly use, a child restraint system or safety belt system. If a parent is not in the motor vehicle, it is the responsibility of the driver transporting a child or children, subject to the requirements of this section, to ensure that the children are provided with and that they properly use a child restraint system or safety belt system. C. Exceptions: Except as provided in Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-2-105.5(4), the requirements of subsection B of this section do not apply to a child who: 1. Is less than eight (8) years of age and is being transported in a motor vehicle as a result of a medical or other life threatening emergency and a child restraint system is not available; 2. Is being transported in a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-2-402(4)(a), that is operated by a childcare center; 3. Is the driver of a motor vehicle and is subject to the safety belt requirements provided in section 10.23.116 of this article; or 4. Is being transported in a motor vehicle that is operated in the business of transporting persons for compensation or hire by or on behalf of a motor vehicle carrier as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 40-10-101(4)(a), a contract carrier by motor vehicle as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 40-10-101(3), or an operator of a luxury limousine service as defined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 40-16-101(3.3). D. Conformance Required: No person shall use a safety belt or a child restraint system, whichever is applicable under the provisions of this section, for children under sixteen (16) years of age in a motor vehicle unless it conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. E. Waiver Of Fine: Any fine may be waived if the defendant presents the court with satisfactory evidence of proof of the acquisition, purchase, or rental of a child restraint system by the time of the court appearance. (Ord. 92-51; Ord. 01-42; Ord. 04-196; Ord. 06-44; Ord. 11-56; Ord. 21-23)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.118 RESTRICTIONS FOR MINORS

10.23.118: RESTRICTIONS FOR MINORS: A. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, a minor driver shall not operate a motor vehicle containing a passenger who is under twenty one (21) years of age and who is not a member of the driver's immediate family until the minor driver has held a valid driver's license for at least six (6) months. B. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, a minor driver shall not operate a motor vehicle containing more than one passenger who is under twenty one (21) years of age and who is not a member of the driver's immediate family until the minor driver has held a valid driver's license for at least one year. C. Subsections A and B of this section shall not apply if: 1. The motor vehicle contains the minor driver's parent or legal guardian or other responsible adult described in Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-2-108; 2. The motor vehicle contains an adult twenty one (21) years of age or older who currently holds a valid driver's license and has held a license for at least one year; 3. The passenger who is under twenty one (21) years of age is in the vehicle due to a medical emergency; 4. All passengers who are under twenty one (21) years of age are members of the minor driver's immediate family and all passengers are wearing a seat belt. D. Except as provided, a minor driver shall not operate a motor vehicle between twelve o'clock (12:00) midnight and five o'clock (5:00) A.M. until the minor driver has held a driver's license for at least one year. This subsection shall not apply if: 1. The motor vehicle contains the minor's parent or legal guardian or other responsible adult described in Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-2-108; 2. The motor vehicle contains an adult twenty one (21) years of age or older who currently holds a valid driver's license and has held a license for at least one year; 3. The minor is driving to school or a school authorized activity when the school does not provide adequate transportation, so long as the minor driver possesses a signed statement from the school official containing the date the activity will occur; 4. The minor is driving on account of employment when necessary, so long as the minor driver possesses a signed statement from the employer verifying employment; 5. The minor is driving on account of a medical emergency; or 6. The minor driver is an emancipated minor. E. For the purposes of this section: EMANCIPATED MINOR: An individual under eighteen (18) years of age whose parents or guardian has surrendered parental responsibilities, custody and the right to the care and earnings of the person, and is no longer under a duty to support the person. MINOR DRIVER: A person who is operating a motor vehicle and who is under eighteen (18) years of age. F. No minor driver in a motor vehicle shall be cited for a violation of this section unless the minor driver was stopped by a law enforcement officer for an alleged violation of this chapter other than a violation of this section. (Ord. 07-88)

Colorado Springs City Code § 10.23.119 RESTRICTIONS ON MINOR DRIVERS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE

10.23.119: RESTRICTIONS ON MINOR DRIVERS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE: A. Occupants in motor vehicles driven by persons under eighteen (18) years of age shall be properly restrained or wear seat belts as required in sections 10.23.116 and 10.23.117 of this article. B. No more than one passenger shall occupy the front seat of a motor vehicle driven by a person under eighteen (18) years of age, and the number of passengers in the back seat of the vehicle shall not exceed the number of seat belts. (Ord. 07-88)

Source: City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, City Code and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coloradospringsco/latest/coloradosprings_co/0-0-0-18610Fetched: 11/1/2026