Fender Laws in CO

[Paradude54]

I live part time in CO and most of the time in TN, but I'm planning on completing the move sometime not too far down the road. In Tennessee we don't have to have fenders at all. I have a few friends that have dune buggies that are street legal. I have a 4wd Jeep and the tires stick out a fair bit. What are the fender laws in CO?

[USMC88-93]

I would ask in the Colorado Jeep Club section of Jeepforum.com link here at least I think it will take you to the last page in that thread.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f123/.../index783.html

[Colorado Osprey]

I think this covers what you are looking for:

42-4-233. Alteration of suspension system.
(1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under the laws of this state upon a public highway with either the rear or front suspension system altered or changed from the manufacturer's original design except in accordance with specifications permitting such alteration established by the department. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the installation of manufactured heavy duty equipment to include shock absorbers and overload springs, nor shall anything contained in this section prevent a person from operating a motor vehicle on a public highway with normal wear of the suspension system if normal wear shall not affect the control of the vehicle.
(2) This section shall not apply to motor vehicles designed or modified primarily for off-highway racing purposes, and such motor vehicles may be lawfully towed on the highways of this state.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense.
CRS 42-4-233


I can't find anything about fenders covering tires, I do believe that there is a DOT reg that says you must have some type of mud flap if you don't have fenders covering the width of the tires though... can't remember the code.

Maximum overall width from DOT is enforced. Nothing over 102" wide at the widest point.

There is headlight height restrictions as well. Some lifted trucks/jeeps are not in compliance and could be ticketed: 24" to 54" measured in the center of the light is the legal requirement.
CRS 42-4-405


Hope this helps............

[XJ]

pffft, don't worry about it. If you're a troublemaker then they will find plenty of other ticketable things, and if you're not then it will never be noticed.

IIRC the statute mentioned above was thrown out some years ago. Even if it was still on the books, the enforcement is nonexistent.

[newracer]

The statute above was tossed in court several years ago. Denver has a tire coverage law but that's the only one I have heard about and it is not even inforced often. I have never been pulled over anyware.

[Zundfolge]

Based on all the fenderless rock crawlers I see around town I doubt if there is a fender law that its enforced.

[Colorado Osprey]

pffft, don't worry about it. If you're a troublemaker then they will find plenty of other ticketable things, and if you're not then it will never be noticed.

IIRC the statute mentioned above was thrown out some years ago. Even if it was still on the books, the enforcement is nonexistent.

Well kind of....
I agree that if you aren't causing trouble you are unlikely to be hassled.
BUT, the headlight and tail light height is enforced in some areas, like in some smaller communities and areas like Alamosa. Many college towns where some law enforcement love to mess with kids to get the ticket count up and to deter cruising.
The altering of the suspension is in and by itself unenforceable and has been, but coupled with the headlight height, you can and will get ticketed for the suspension as well. The suspension fine will get thrown out as negotiation and you your negotiating room is then gone on the headlight height charge if you go to court to challenge.

Again, are these issues to worry about? Generally no, you will only get trouble if you have some other sort of issue to start with.