Colorado E-Bike Laws
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The three e-bike classes
Class 1 helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 2 helps whether or not you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. Class 3 helps only while you pedal, stops helping at 28 mph, and must have a speedometer.
Every e-bike must carry a label showing its class, top assisted speed and motor wattage.
Source: Colorado Legislative Council (C.R.S. 42-1-102)
Where e-bikes can ride by default
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may ride on bike and pedestrian paths where regular bikes are allowed. A local authority can ban them from paths it runs.
Class 3 e-bikes may not ride on bike or pedestrian paths, unless the path is within a street or highway, or the local authority allows them on its path.
Local authorities use these powers a lot, so the rule changes from trail to trail.
Source: C.R.S. 42-4-1412 · Colorado Legislative Council
Age, helmet and equipment rules
No one under 16 may ride a Class 3 e-bike on a street, highway, or bike or pedestrian path, though they can ride as a passenger on one built for passengers. Anyone under 18 riding or carried on a Class 3 must wear a bicycle helmet.
Class 1 and Class 2 have no statewide age limit or helmet rule. E-bikes don't need motor vehicle registration or a license.
Source: C.R.S. 42-4-1412 · Colorado Legislative Council
State parks
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on roads, bike lanes, and multi-use trails and other areas (such as campgrounds) open to non-motorized biking. No registration or permit is needed.
CPW's current page doesn't mention Class 3, so the state default applies: no Class 3 on paths.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
State wildlife and forest lands
In State Wildlife Areas and on State Trust Lands, e-bikes are allowed only on designated roads and in designated camping or parking areas where motor vehicles are allowed. They're not allowed anywhere else.
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
National forests
The U.S. Forest Service treats all three classes as motor vehicles. They're allowed only on roads and trails open to motor vehicles, as shown on each forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map. The White River National Forest says the same on its own page, and notes that some ski resorts on forest land allow e-bikes inside their permit areas.
Colorado's national forests are Arapaho & Roosevelt, Pike & San Isabel, White River, Grand Mesa-Uncompahgre-Gunnison, Rio Grande, San Juan and Medicine Bow-Routt.
BLM land is separate. BLM's 2020 rule doesn't open any non-motorized trail to e-bikes by itself, so each trail system needs a local decision.
Source: USDA Forest Service · White River NF · BLM
Trails we've checked
Boulder Area
- Betasso Preserve 🔴 NoBoulder County Parks & Open Space
- Boulder County plains & regional trails (Coal Creek, LoBo, Rock Creek) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyBoulder County Parks & Open Space
- Boulder Creek Path 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyCity of Boulder
- City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks (designated e-bike trails) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyCity of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
- Hall Ranch 🔴 NoBoulder County Parks & Open Space
- Heil Valley Ranch 🔴 NoBoulder County Parks & Open Space
- US 36 Bikeway ✅ Yes, all classesBoulder County Parks & Open Space (Boulder County segment)
- Walker Ranch Open Space 🔴 NoBoulder County Parks & Open Space
Colorado Springs & Pikes Peak Region
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyColorado Parks and Wildlife
- Colorado Springs urban & regional trails (e.g., Pikes Peak Greenway) 🟠 Class 1 onlyCity of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
- Red Rock Canyon Open Space 🔴 NoCity of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
Denver Metro
- Apex Park (Jeffco Open Space) 🟠 Class 1 onlyJefferson County Parks & Open Space
- Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area (Pike National Forest) 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service - Pike-San Isabel National Forests (South Platte Ranger District)
- Chatfield State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyColorado Parks and Wildlife
- Cherry Creek State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyColorado Parks and Wildlife
- Cherry Creek Trail (Denver segment) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyDenver Parks & Recreation
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyColorado Parks and Wildlife
- Jefferson County Open Space parks (natural-surface trails) 🟠 Class 1 onlyJefferson County Parks & Open Space
- South Platte River Trail (Denver segment) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyDenver Parks & Recreation
- Staunton State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyColorado Parks and Wildlife
- White Ranch Park (Jeffco Open Space) 🟠 Class 1 onlyJefferson County Parks & Open Space
Fort Collins & Northern Front Range
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space 🔴 NoLarimer County Department of Natural Resources
- Lory State Park 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyColorado Parks and Wildlife
- Poudre River Trail (Fort Collins) ❔ Call firstCity of Fort Collins
Mountains & Western Slope
- 18 Road Trails / North Fruita Desert (BLM) ❔ Call firstBureau of Land Management - Grand Junction Field Office
- Colorado Trail 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service (multiple national forests) with the Colorado Trail Foundation
- Rio Grande Trail (Glenwood Springs to Aspen) 🟢 Class 1 & 2 onlyRoaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA); Pitkin County Open Space & Trails (Basalt-Aspen)
- White River National Forest trails (Vail, Aspen, Summit County, Glenwood) 🟡 Motorized routes onlyUSDA Forest Service - White River National Forest
Common questions
What are the e-bike classes in Colorado?
Colorado has three e-bike classes: Class 1 (pedal-assist to 20 mph), Class 2 (motor helps with or without pedaling, cuts out at 20 mph) and Class 3 (pedal-assist to 28 mph, with a speedometer).
Where can I ride an e-bike in Colorado?
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes may ride on bike and pedestrian paths where regular bikes are allowed. A local authority can ban them from paths it runs. Class 3 e-bikes may not ride on bike or pedestrian paths, unless the path is within a street or highway, or the local authority allows them on its path.
Can I ride an e-bike in Colorado state parks?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) allows Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on roads, bike lanes, and multi-use trails and other areas (such as campgrounds) open to non-motorized biking. No registration or permit is needed.
Is there an age limit or helmet law for e-bikes in Colorado?
No one under 16 may ride a Class 3 e-bike on a street, highway, or bike or pedestrian path, though they can ride as a passenger on one built for passengers. Anyone under 18 riding or carried on a Class 3 must wear a bicycle helmet.
Are e-bikes allowed in national forests in Colorado?
The U.S. Forest Service treats all three classes as motor vehicles. They're allowed only on roads and trails open to motor vehicles, as shown on each forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map. The White River National Forest says the same on its own page, and notes that some ski resorts on forest land allow e-bikes inside their permit areas.