TURNING MOVEMENTS

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 54, art. VI, div. 4

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-200 Required position and method of turning.

Sec. 54-200. - Required position and method of turning. (a) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except as provided in subsection (d). Whenever the driver of a truck or other vehicle larger in size than a passenger car shall require a greater distance from the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway than is necessary for a passenger car to make such turn, it shall be the duty of the driver or operator of such vehicle to determine that there are no other vehicles or conveyances to the right while such driver or operator is making such turn, or no vehicles or conveyances approaching so close to the right from the rear so as to constitute a hazard if such turn is completed, but this shall not relieve any person attempting to pass on the right from the requirements and obligations of having the vehicle under control and to drive in a careful and prudent manner. (b) Left turns from two-way roadways. The driver of a vehicle approaching any intersection on a roadway where traffic is permitted to move in both directions, shall, before making a left turn threat, approach the intersection by moving the vehicle to that portion of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered, except that when the roadway being entered is a one-way roadway such turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in any lane lawfully available to traffic upon the one-way roadway which can be reached in safety by the driver without interfering with, or impeding or endangering other traffic. Whenever practicable, a driver stopping the vehicle to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic before completing a left turn, shall make a stop within the intersection, past the curb line of the intersecting street which the driver is turning into. (c) Left turns off one-way roadway. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d), it shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle on any one-way roadway or street to make or attempt to make a left turn therefrom, unless such driver first moves the vehicle to the lane as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway or street, and occupies such lane for a minimum distance of one hundred (100) feet prior to reaching the point of turning, and thereupon makes the left turn from such lane; such turn shall be completed so as to enter the roadway, driveway, alley or other area being entered, in a lane or portion thereof lawfully available to the driver of the vehicle. For purposes of this section, where the area being entered is another roadway, the lane lawfully available to the driver of the vehicle shall be any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of the vehicle which can be reached in safety by the driver without interfering with, or impeding or endangering other traffic. Whenever the driver of a truck or other vehicle larger in size than a passenger car shall require a greater distance from the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway than is necessary for a passenger car to make such a turn, it shall be the duty of the driver of such vehicle to determine that there are no other vehicles or conveyances to the left when the driver is making such turn, or no vehicles or conveyances approaching so close to the left from the rear so as to constitute a hazard if such turn is completed, but this shall not relieve any person attempting to pass on the left from the requirements and obligations of having the vehicle under control and to drive in a careful and prudent manner. (d) Multiple turns. At any intersection designated and where authorized signs are erected and posted giving notice thereof, turns may be made in the direction indicated by such signs from more than one (1) lane of traffic as indicated by such signs. It shall be unlawful to make or attempt to make any turn from any lane not so designated. When any turn is so made the driver of the vehicle making the turn shall keep sufficient distance between the vehicle and another vehicle turning in the same direction so as to avoid a collision, and no such turn shall be made regardless of the posted signs permitting the same unless it can be made with safety. The driver making or intending to make such turns shall give the appropriate signal as is required under this chapter. (Code 1950, § 513.1)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-201 Left turns.

Sec. 54-201. - Left turns. It shall be unlawful for any person to make or attempt to make a left turn off any street upon which traffic is permitted to travel in both directions into an alley, driveway or other place unless it can be done in safety and without interfering with or impeding, or endangering other traffic. (Code 1950, § 513.2)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-202 Lane assignment.

Sec. 54-202. - Lane assignment. (a) Whenever a lane of traffic on any street or highway is indicated by pavement marking, or by a sign, as being assigned solely for left turns, right turns or through traffic, it shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle in such lane to make any other movement at an intersection, other than that designated by such sign or marking. (b) Whenever a lane of traffic on any street or highway is indicated by pavement marking or by a sign, as being assigned solely as a bicycle lane, it shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to occupy such lane for moving or parking, except that a driver may cross such lane to make a lawful turning movement yielding the right-of-way to bicyclists occupying such lane. Whenever a lane on any street or highway is indicated by pavement marking or by a sign as being assigned as a combined bicycle lane and vehicle parking lane, it shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to occupy such combined lane except for the purpose of entering or leaving a parking space, or to reach traffic lanes on the other side of such lane, or to make lawful turning movements yielding the right-of-way to bicyclists occupying such lane. (c) Whenever a lane of traffic on any street or highway is indicated by pavement marking or by signs as being assigned solely as a bus lane, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle not defined as a bus to occupy such lane, except that (1) drivers of van pool vehicles containing seven (7) or more people may occupy such lane, and (2) drivers of vehicles other than buses may cross such lanes to make lawful turning movements or to reach traffic lanes on the other side of the lane. (d) Whenever a lane of traffic on any street or highway is indicated by pavement marking or by signs as being assigned solely as a carpool lane, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle not defined as a carpool to occupy such lane, except that drivers of vehicles other than carpools may cross such lanes to make lawful turning movements or to reach traffic lanes on the other side of the lane. Any person who is found liable of, who admits liability for, or against whom a judgment is entered for violation of this subsection (d) shall be fined $100.00, and except as provided in section 54-821(e) of this chapter, no part of this fine shall be suspended. (Code 1950, § 513.3; Ord. No. 201-88, 3-21-88; Ord. No. 1082-02, § 4, 12-23-02)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-203 Unlawful to cross islands and gore areas.

Sec. 54-203. - Unlawful to cross islands and gore areas. It shall be unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to cross islands or gore areas constructed or marked on streets or highways. (Ord. No. 143-92, § 3, 3-9-92)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-204 Left turn across median.

Sec. 54-204. - Left turn across median. It shall be unlawful for any person to make or attempt to make a left turn across any median. (Code 1950, § 513.5)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-205 Posted turning prohibitions.

Sec. 54-205. - Posted turning prohibitions. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating turn restrictions, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of any such sign unless directed by a police officer. (Code 1950, § 513.6)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-206 Limitations on turning around.

Sec. 54-206. - Limitations on turning around. (a) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within such distance as is necessary to avoid interfering with or endangering approaching traffic. (b) The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle at an intersection or any other location so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with or endangering other traffic. (c) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction at any intersection or any other location where official traffic-control devices are erected giving notice of prohibition of such turn. (Code 1950, § 513.7; Ord. No. 406-90, § 1, 7-9-90)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-207 Moving parked vehicles.

Sec. 54-207. - Moving parked vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person to move a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked on a public roadway without first giving the visible signal as is provided in section 54-210(4) of the intention to do so, and unless, and until such movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic, and without moving such vehicle into the path of approaching vehicles. (Code 1950, § 513.8)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-208 Turning movements and required signals.

Sec. 54-208. - Turning movements and required signals. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in section 54-200, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 54-209 and 54-210. (b) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the vehicle before turning in urban or metropolitan areas and shall be given continuously for at least two hundred (200) feet on all four-lane highways and other highways where the prima facie or posted speed limit is more than forty (40) miles per hour. Such signals shall be given regardless of existing weather conditions. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in sections 54-209 and 54-210 to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal. (d) The signals provided for in section 54-210 shall be used to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes or start from a parked position and shall not be flashed on one (1) side only on a parked or disabled vehicle, or flashed as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear. (Code 1950, § 513.9)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-209 Signals by hand and arm or signal device.

Sec. 54-209. - Signals by hand and arm or signal device. (a) Any stop or turn signal, when required as provided by section 54-208, shall be given either by means of the hand and arm, as provided by section 54-210, or by signal lamps or signal device of the type approved by the state, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section. (b) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps 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, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen (14) feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles. (Code 1950, § 513.10)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-210 Method of giving hand and arm signals.

Sec. 54-210. - Method of giving hand and arm signals. All signals hereinafter required to be given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side, or driver's side of the vehicle, in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows: (1) Left turn. Hand and arm extended horizontally. (2) Right turn. Hand and arm extended upward. (3) Stop or decrease speed. Hand and arm extended downward. (4) Reentering lane of traffic from parked position. Hand and arm extended horizontally. (Code 1950, § 513.11)

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_ARTVIOPVE_DIV4TUMOFetched: 10/27/2026