SPEED

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 54, art. VI, div. 2

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-155 Generally.

Sec. 54-155. - Generally. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. (Code 1950, § 511.3)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-156 Posted speed limits.

Sec. 54-156. - Posted speed limits. Where speed limits are posted, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive any vehicle in excess of the posted speed limits. (Code 1950, § 511.3-2)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-157 Unposted speed limits.

Sec. 54-157. - Unposted speed limits. Where speed limits are not posted, and where no special hazard exists, the following speed shall be lawful, but any speed in excess of such limits shall be prima facie evidence that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful: (1) Fifteen (15) miles per hour in alleys; (2) Fifteen (15) miles per hour on park roadways; (3) Twenty (20) miles per hour on streets and highways. (Code 1950, § 511.3-1; Ord. No. 21-1475, § 1, 12-20-21)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-158 Careless driving.

Sec. 54-158. - Careless driving. It shall be unlawful for any person operating a vehicle anywhere in the city to drive: (1) In an unreasonable and imprudent manner, without having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing; or (2) So as to lose control of the vehicle thereby endangering or colliding with any person, structure, thing, vehicle or other conveyance. (Code 1950, § 511.2; Ord. No. 43-93, § 1, 1-25-93)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-159 Drag racing.

Sec. 54-159. - Drag racing. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to engage or participate in a drag race within the city, unless otherwise excepted herein. For the purposes of this section, a drag race shall be and the term shall mean any situation or circumstance where two (2) or more persons operate their vehicles in such a manner as to cause such vehicles to be side by side on the roadway, or one (1) slightly ahead of the other, and either from a stopped position or while moving, to accelerate such vehicles rapidly with the intent to race. The provisions of this section shall not apply to authorized and licensed race courses, or other areas which are specifically set aside and supervised by the police department for such racing. In any prosecution for a violation of this section, the intent to race may be shown from the surrounding circumstances, from admissions of the violators, or in any other manner in which intent may be proved in any civil action in the courts of this state. (Code 1950, § 511.1)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-160 Impeding traffic.

Sec. 54-160. - Impeding traffic. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a vehicle or to stop a vehicle in a traffic lane or roadway so as to impede or block the flow of traffic or create an actual or potential hazard. No person shall operate a vehicle at a speed less than a posted minimum speed limit, except when such speed is necessary to be in compliance with this chapter. Where minimum speed limits are not posted, a speed of twenty (20) miles per hour or more under the unposted or posted speed limit shall be prima facie evidence of being an impediment to the flow of traffic or a potential hazard to others. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of [subsections] 54-160(a) and 54-70(g), taxis may stop for up to ninety (90) seconds in a traffic lane to pick up or drop off a fare, provided the stop is made in the traffic lane nearest the curb from which the fare embarks or disembarks and further provided an amber flashing light is visibly displayed to the rear during the stop. Reasonable accommodations shall be made as to time for the embarkation and disembarkation of persons with disabilities. (Code 1950, § 511.3-3; Ord. No. 326-87, 6-22-87; Ord. No. 325-07, § 1, 7-9-07)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 54-161 Summons charging violation shall designate speed.

Sec. 54-161. - Summons charging violation shall designate speed. In every charge for a violation of any speed limit, the summons to appear shall specify the approximate speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven, the unposted or posted speed limit at such location where the alleged offense occurred, in addition to the other information required on such summons by this Code. (Code 1950, § 511.3-4)

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_DIV2SPFetched: 10/27/2026