Denver, CO Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- DRMC Sec. 54-540
- Where it applies
- Any point other than a crosswalk
- Right-of-way
- Pedestrian must yield to vehicles
- Also covers
- Skipping a pedestrian tunnel/overpass
Summary
Denver pedestrians who cross outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway, shifting legal responsibility onto the walker.
Every pedestrian crossing the roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided, but not using such facility, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Denver Revised Municipal Code Sec. 54-540 governs crossings made anywhere other than a crosswalk. A pedestrian who steps into the roadway mid-block, or who bypasses a provided pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing, must yield to every vehicle already on the roadway rather than the other way around. This flips the right-of-way rule that applies inside a marked crosswalk under Sec. 54-538, where drivers must yield to pedestrians.
Violations & Fines
A noncriminal traffic offense; officers can cite pedestrians who fail to yield when crossing outside a crosswalk, and the driver owes no yield duty at that location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaywalking illegal in Denver?
Does the driver have to stop for a jaywalker?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
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