Colorado Revised Statutes

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-204 (2026)

When lighted lamps are required

✓ current as of July 2026

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(1) Every vehicle upon a highway within this state, between sunset and sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead, shall display lighted lamps and illuminating devices as required by this article for different classes of vehicles, subject to exceptions with respect to parked vehicles.

(2) Whenever requirement is declared by this article as to distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, said provisions shall apply during the times stated in subsection (1) of this section in respect to a vehicle without load when upon a straight, level, unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions, unless a different time or condition is expressly stated.

(3) Whenever requirement is declared by this article as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of such lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when such vehicle is without a load.

(4) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.

Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2242, § 1, effective January 1, 1995. Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 42-4-203 as it existed prior to 1994, and the former § 42-4-204 was relocated to § 42-4-205.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1998–2022 · leading case: 20SC717- McBride v. People, 511 P.3d 613 (Colo. 2022).

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20SC717- McBride v. People, 511 P.3d 613 (Colo. 2022). · cites it 5× “” 925 This statute further provides that vehicles registered in this state and manufactured after the start of 1958 “must be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear,.”

v McBride, 2020 COA 111 (Colo. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 5× “Section 42-4-204, C.R.S. 2019, in turn, requires vehicles to display lighted lamps between sunset and sunrise and at other times when conditions are unfavorable.”

People v. Jackson, 39 P.3d 1174 (Colo. 2002). “See § 42-4-204, 11 C.R.S. (2001). Officer Harrold therefore signaled the vehicle to stop by turning on the overhead lights on his patrol car.”

Kramer v. Colorado Dep't of Revenue, Motor Veh. Div., 964 P.2d 629 (Colo. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “Sections 42-4-204, C.R.S.1997; 24-4^106(7) and 24-4-106(ll)(e), C.”

— Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-204(3) — 1 case

20SC717- McBride v. People, 511 P.3d 613 (Colo. 2022). “” 925 This statute further provides that vehicles registered in this state and manufactured after the start of 1958 “must be equipped with at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear,.”

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