Blue Laws in Colorado (2026): The Sunday Shopping Restrictions
Most people have no idea these laws still exist. But in Colorado, certain blue laws remain in effect, and they control what you can and can’t buy on Sundays. Let’s break down exactly what these laws mean for you and how they might affect your weekend plans.
What Are Blue Laws?
Blue laws are old rules that restrict certain activities on Sundays. They got their start hundreds of years ago for religious reasons. The idea was to keep Sunday as a day of rest and worship.
Think of it like this. Back in the day, basically everything had to shut down on Sundays. Stores closed. People stayed home. The whole community observed the Sabbath together.
Today, most blue laws have disappeared across the United States. People shop on Sundays just like any other day. But Colorado still has a few of these restrictions on the books, and they might surprise you.
Colorado’s Current Blue Laws
Hold on, this part is important. Colorado only has one major blue law still enforced in 2026. It’s all about car dealerships.
You Cannot Buy a Car on Sunday
Seriously. It’s been illegal to purchase a vehicle from a dealership on Sundays since 1955. That’s nearly 70 years of Sunday car shopping bans.
The law is pretty specific. No person, business, or employee can operate a car dealership on Sunday. They can’t sell, trade, exchange, or even offer to sell you a vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you really want that truck or if Sunday is your only free day.
The law covers all motor vehicles. Cars, trucks, motorcycles. You name it. If it’s got wheels and an engine, dealerships can’t sell it on Sunday.
Some exceptions exist. Boats and snowmobiles aren’t covered by the ban. RVs also get a pass in some cases. But regular cars and trucks? Nope. Wait until Monday.
Wondering if this applies to you? If you’re shopping at a Colorado dealership, it absolutely does. Every single car dealer in the state must follow this law.
What About Alcohol Sales?
Here’s where it gets better. Colorado used to have strict Sunday alcohol laws. For 75 years, you couldn’t buy liquor, wine, or strong beer on Sundays.
That changed in 2008. Governor Bill Ritter signed the law allowing Sunday alcohol sales. The ban was officially lifted on July 6, 2008.
Now you can buy alcohol seven days a week. Liquor stores can operate on Sundays. Restaurants can serve drinks. Beer, wine, and spirits are all available.
Current hours for alcohol sales are straightforward. Bars and restaurants can sell from 7 AM to 2 AM every day, including Sunday. Liquor stores, grocery stores, and gas stations can sell from 8 AM to midnight, also including Sunday.
So basically, the alcohol blue law is history. That restriction is gone.
Other Sunday Restrictions
Most other blue laws in Colorado have been repealed. You can shop for groceries on Sunday. You can buy clothes. You can go to the mall. You can eat at restaurants.
Retail stores operate normal hours. Construction might have noise restrictions in some cities, but that’s about zoning laws, not blue laws. Hunting and fishing follow wildlife regulations, not Sunday-specific bans.
Why Do These Laws Still Exist?
Not sure what keeps the car dealership law around? Let me break it down.
The original reason was religious. Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest. The law forced businesses to close so employees could attend church and spend time with family.
The Colorado Supreme Court even said the law would help society avoid divorce and juvenile delinquency. Yep, that’s what they actually wrote in 1957.
But today, the reason is different. It’s not about religion anymore.
Dealerships Actually Want to Stay Closed
This might surprise you. Most car dealerships support keeping the Sunday ban. They actively fight to keep it in place.
Here’s why. If one dealership stays open on Sunday, all of them would have to open. Nobody wants to lose customers to the competition. But staying open seven days a week costs more money.
More days open means more staff. More utilities. More operating costs. Those costs get passed to customers through higher car prices.
Closing on Sunday gives everyone a level playing field. All dealers close. Nobody loses business. Employees get a guaranteed day off. Families get time together.
The law also saves money. Banks are closed on Sunday. Processing financing is harder. Administrative work becomes complicated. It’s just easier to close.
Attempts to Change the Law
People have tried to repeal this law. A state agency even recommended getting rid of it. But every attempt has failed.
Dealerships lobby hard to keep it. They argue it helps their employees. They say it keeps car prices lower. They claim customers don’t actually mind.
The law was last reviewed in 2017. Lawmakers decided to keep it. Another review is scheduled for 2027.
Penalties for Breaking the Law
Sound complicated? It’s actually pretty serious if you violate this law.
Selling a car on Sunday is a misdemeanor. The penalties are no joke. You could face up to a $1,000 fine. You could spend up to six months in jail. The dealership could lose its license entirely.
That’s right. One Sunday sale could cost a business everything. Owners, employees, anyone involved could face charges. The state takes this seriously.
These penalties haven’t changed much since 1955. The fines might not seem huge by today’s standards. But losing your dealer license? That’s a business killer.
How This Affects You
Okay, pause. Read this carefully.
If you work Monday through Friday, shopping for a car gets harder. You only have Saturdays to visit dealerships. That’s one day per week to test drive, negotiate, and make decisions.
Many people say this is frustrating. You’re ready to buy. You have time on Sunday. But dealerships are locked up tight.
The good news? Most dealerships let you walk the lot on Sunday. You can look at cars. You can check out models. You can take pictures. You just can’t buy anything or talk to salespeople.
Some folks actually like this. You can browse without pressure. No pushy sales tactics. No one following you around. Just you and the cars.
Planning Your Car Purchase
Here’s what you need to do. Plan your car shopping for Saturdays or weekdays. If you work regular hours, you might need to take time off. Or use your lunch break to visit dealerships.
Many dealers stay open late on weekdays. Some are open until 9 PM. That gives you time after work to shop.
You can also do research online first. Look at inventory on dealer websites. Check prices. Read reviews. Get pre-approved for financing. Then you only need one visit to complete the purchase.
Other States with Similar Laws
Colorado isn’t alone. Twelve other states ban car sales on Sundays. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin all have similar restrictions.
Each state’s law is slightly different. Some allow motorcycle sales. Some permit used car sales. Some make exceptions for dealers who observe Saturday as their Sabbath.
But the basic idea is the same. No car shopping on Sundays.
Most states don’t have these laws anymore. If you drive to Kansas or Nebraska, you can buy a car on Sunday. Wyoming allows Sunday sales. So does New Mexico.
This creates an interesting situation. Border towns see some customers cross state lines to shop on Sundays. But honestly, most people just wait until Monday.
The Future of Blue Laws in Colorado
Will this law change? Maybe. Maybe not.
Support for keeping it remains strong among dealers. The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association actively defends the ban. They have money and influence.
But consumer groups want change. Some lawmakers think the law is outdated. A state agency recommended repealing it.
The next review happens in 2027. That’s when legislators will decide whether to keep, modify, or eliminate the law.
Until then, you’re stuck with Saturday car shopping. Or weekday visits. Or online browsing followed by a quick weekday purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a car online in Colorado on Sunday?
You can browse and research online any day. But you cannot complete the actual purchase transaction on Sunday. Dealerships cannot process sales, even remotely, on Sundays.
What happens if I try to buy a car on Sunday?
The dealership will refuse. They won’t complete the sale. If they did, they would face serious legal consequences including fines and potential license loss.
Can I buy a used car from a private seller on Sunday?
Yes. The law only applies to licensed dealerships. Private party sales between individuals are allowed any day of the week.
Are there any exceptions to the Sunday car sale ban?
Very few. Boats and snowmobiles are excluded from the ban. Some RV sales may be permitted. But cars, trucks, and most motorcycles cannot be sold on Sundays.
Can dealerships show me cars on Sunday?
Many dealerships allow you to walk the lot and look at vehicles on Sunday. You just cannot complete a purchase or work with sales staff on transactions.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the deal with blue laws in Colorado. The car dealership restriction is the big one still on the books. Alcohol sales are totally fine on Sundays now.
Is the law outdated? Some people think so. Others support keeping it. The debate continues.
For now, plan your car shopping accordingly. Saturdays are your best bet. Or grab a weekday evening appointment. The system works if you know the rules.
Stay informed, plan ahead, and happy shopping.
References
- Colorado Revised Statute § 44-20-303, Motor Vehicle Dealer Sunday Closing Law https://leg.colorado.gov/
- Colorado Department of Revenue, Liquor Enforcement Division Laws and Regulations https://sbg.colorado.gov/liquor-enforcement-laws-rules-regulations
- Colorado Automobile Dealers Association Policy Statements (2023-2026) https://www.coloradodealers.org/
- “Why Car Dealerships Are Closed on Sundays in Colorado,” FOX31 Denver (2023) https://kdvr.com/news/local/why-cant-you-buy-a-car-on-sunday-colorado/
- “Blue Laws in the United States,” Wikipedia (Updated January 2026) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_laws_in_the_United_States
