Colorado Auxiliary Lights: Two of Each, Four Lit, No Red or Blue

Section 42-4-212 is written as four permissions rather than a general allowance, and each one comes with a number. Subsection (1) allows not more than two spot lamps, and requires that a lighted spot lamp be aimed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam is directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle, nor more than one hundred feet ahead, when approaching another vehicle. Subsection (2) allows not more than two fog lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less than twelve inches nor more than thirty inches above the level surface the vehicle stands on, aimed so that, unloaded, none of the high-intensity portion of the light to the left of the vehicle centerline projects higher than four inches below the level of the lamp center at twenty-five feet ahead. Fog lamps meeting that test may be used together with the lower head-lamp beams.

Subsections (3) and (4) split the driving-light category in two. Auxiliary passing lamps are limited to two, mounted on the front between twenty and forty-two inches above the road surface; auxiliary driving lamps are also limited to two, mounted between sixteen and forty-two inches. Both subsections make § 42-4-216 apply to any combination of head lamps with those lamps, so the combined high beam must reveal persons and vehicles at three hundred fifty feet and the combined low beam at one hundred feet without directing the high-intensity portion into an approaching driver’s eyes.

The forty-two inch ceiling is the figure that decides most aftermarket questions in Colorado. Every mounting range in § 42-4-212 stops at or below it, so a light bar mounted on a roof or a high bumper hoop is outside all four categories the section authorizes. Section 42-4-219 then adds a separate operating limit: where a vehicle with the required head lamps also carries auxiliary lamps, a spot lamp, or any other front lamp projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred candlepower, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front may be lighted at any one time upon a highway.

Colored and rear-facing extras are governed elsewhere. Section 42-4-215 permits not more than two side cowl or fender lamps in amber or white without glare, one runningboard courtesy lamp on each side, two back-up lamps that may not be lighted while the vehicle moves forward, and, on a vehicle eighty inches or more in overall width, three amber identification lamps to the front and three red to the rear. Its subsection (3) states that no stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light, and subsection (7) confines hazard flashers to a vehicle that is stopped or traveling at twenty-five miles per hour or less.

The hard prohibition is § 42-4-238. A person may not be in actual physical control of a vehicle the person knows contains a lamp or device designed to display, or capable of displaying if affixed to the vehicle, a red or blue light visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle. Possession of the capability is the offense; the lamp need not be switched on or even attached. The affirmative defenses are listed and narrow: a peace officer, a vehicle expressly authorized by a chief of police or sheriff, a volunteer firefighter or ambulance member holding a permit under § 42-4-222 (1)(b), a vendor selling such a lamp, and a collector of historic fire engines or ambulances. Two narrow Colorado allowances run the other way: § 42-4-214 (1) lets a state, county or local government snowplow use up to two flashing, oscillating or rotating blue lights, and § 42-12-204 lets a street-rod or custom motor vehicle use blue dot tail lights, a red lamp with a blue or purple insert not more than one inch in diameter, for its stop lamps, rear turn indicators, rear hazard lamps and rear reflectors.

Title 42 says nothing at all about underbody, accent or decorative lighting: the words neon, underglow and underbody do not appear anywhere in the title. So the limits on that equipment are the color and glare rules above rather than a dedicated ban, and the one that bites is § 42-4-238, since a forward-facing red or blue accent lamp is a misdemeanor regardless of how it is marketed.

Violating § 42-4-212, § 42-4-215, § 42-4-219 or § 42-4-231 is a class B traffic infraction, and the penalty and surcharge schedule at C.R.S. § 42-4-1701 (4)(a)(I)(D) sets the assessment for each of those sections at a $15 penalty plus a $6 surcharge. On entry of judgment, § 42-4-1701 (3)(a)(I) allows $15 to $100. Section 42-4-238 is different in kind: it is a class 2 misdemeanor, which for conduct on or after March 1, 2022 carries a maximum of 120 days imprisonment, a fine of not more than $750, or both, under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 (1)(a.5).

Because Colorado has no periodic safety inspection, lighting is checked at the roadside. Section 42-4-203 (1) lets a uniformed police officer, on reasonable cause, require a driver to stop and submit the vehicle and its equipment to inspection, and issue a written notice and summons specifying what must be repaired. Under § 42-4-203 (4)(a)(I) the owner then faces a $100 fine, which (4)(a)(II) drops to $5 if the owner corrects the condition within thirty days and files a law enforcement certification that the equipment has been put in proper repair and adjustment. Subsection (4)(c) lets the court extend the thirty days for good cause.