Colorado Electric Bike Laws

Three-class law · State parks: Class 1-2 on trails open to bikes

House Bill 17-1151 adopted the three-class system in 2017. An electrical assisted bicycle has operable pedals and a motor of 750 W or less and is regulated like a bicycle, with no license or registration. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older, and Class 3 riders and passengers under 18 must wear a helmet. HB25-1197 (2025) bars selling or advertising out-of-class vehicles as e-bikes, and HB26-1079 (2026), aimed at e-motos, requires a parent's written consent before a minor gets a motorcycle instruction permit.

E-bike classes
Three
E-bike license
No
Class 3 minimum age
16
E-bike helmet
No state rule
State parks
Class 1-2 on trails open to bikes
Moped registration
Yes

By vehicle

Rules for E-Bikes, Stand-Up E-Scooters and Mopeds in Colorado

Colorado rules by vehicle
VehicleDefinitionMinimum ageLicenseRegistrationInsuranceHelmetSidewalksTrails
E-bike, Class 1 and 2Class 1, 2NoneNoNoNoNo state ruleYes, unless locally barredPaths open to bicycles, unless locally barred
E-bike, Class 3Class 316NoNoNoUnder 18Yes, unless locally barredNo, unless path is within a street or locally allowed
Stand-up e-scooterElectric scooter: under 100 lb, 20 mph maxNo state ruleNoNoNoNo state ruleYes, unless locally barredSame as e-bikes
Seated e-scooter (moped)Low-power scooter: 50 cc or 4,476 W max, 3 wheels max16 (driver's license)YesYesYesUnder 18NoNo

Where to ride

Where Each Vehicle May Ride

  • E-bike, Class 1 and 2. Roads, bike lanes and paths
  • E-bike, Class 3. Speedometer required; under 16 as passenger only
  • Stand-up e-scooter. Rights and duties of e-bike riders; locals may regulate, no stricter than e-bikes
  • Seated e-scooter (moped). Roads and bike lanes; no interstates or limited-access highways

Equipment

Equipment Rules for E-Bikes

Permanent label showing class, top assisted speed and motor wattage; speedometer on Class 3; motor cutoff when pedaling stops on Class 1 and 3; from Jan. 1, 2027, multiple-mode e-bikes must be labeled with each class or the highest class (HB25-1197); e-bike lithium-ion batteries must be certified by an accredited testing laboratory.

City rules

What Cities and Counties Can Change

Local authorities may ban Class 1 and 2 e-bikes from bike and pedestrian paths, may open paths to Class 3, and may ban bicycles, e-bikes and electric scooters from sidewalks. Jefferson County Open Space allows Class 1 e-bikes on natural-surface trails and keeps Class 3 to roads and parking lots.

Parks and trails

State Parks, Federal Lands and Rail Trails in Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes in state parks on roads, bike lanes and multi-use trails open to non-motorized biking; Class 3 is limited to roads and bike lanes. In state wildlife areas, e-bikes are limited to roads, camping and parking areas open to motor vehicles.

Record

Sources

E-bike, Class 1 and 2
C.R.S. 42-1-102(28.5); 42-4-1412; HB17-1151
E-bike, Class 3
C.R.S. 42-4-1412(14)-(15); HB17-1151
Stand-up e-scooter
C.R.S. 42-1-102(28.8); HB19-1221 (2019)
Seated e-scooter (moped)
C.R.S. 42-1-102(48.5)
Status
Verified
Open items
Low-power scooter 40 mph top speed and highway limits confirmed only from a 2018 news column and the DMV registration form; HB26-1079 signing date not shown on the bill page
Last verified
Q4 2026