Underglow Laws in Colorado (2026): Colors and Rules

Most drivers don’t realize underglow lights are actually legal in Colorado. Seriously. You can install them on your car and drive around without breaking the law. But here’s the catch: there are strict rules about which colors you can use. Get it wrong and you could face fines or even a misdemeanor charge.

Let’s break down exactly what you need to know about underglow laws in Colorado.

What Is Underglow Lighting?

Underglow refers to neon or LED lights installed underneath a vehicle. These lights create a glowing effect on the ground beneath your car. You’ve probably seen them at night. Some cars have a cool blue glow underneath them, while others might have purple or white.

The purpose? Honestly, it’s mostly for looks. People install underglow to make their cars stand out. But in Colorado, you need to follow specific rules about color and placement.

Basic Underglow Rules in Colorado

Here’s the good news. Colorado doesn’t have specific laws that ban underglow lights completely. The state’s vehicle lighting laws don’t specifically mention neon or LED underglow as illegal modifications.

This means underglow is generally legal to use while driving. Pretty straightforward, right?

But hold on. There are major restrictions on colors. Break these rules and you’re looking at serious trouble.

Color Restrictions You Must Follow

Green Lights Are Completely Illegal

Green underglow is explicitly forbidden in Colorado. The law is crystal clear about this one. Green lights on vehicles are reserved exclusively for emergency command posts at incident scenes.

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-213 states that only authorized emergency vehicles can use green flashing lights. These lights can only be displayed at the single designated command post at any emergency location.

Using green lights on your personal vehicle is a Class A traffic infraction. You’ll face a fine and get points on your license. Don’t mess with green.

Red and Blue Lights Are Prohibited From the Front

This rule is probably the most important one. You cannot have red or blue lights visible from the front of your vehicle. Period.

Colorado law 42-4-238 makes this a serious offense. The statute says no person can operate a vehicle that contains a lamp or device capable of displaying a red or blue light visible directly in front of the center of the vehicle.

Red and blue are reserved for emergency vehicles. Police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances use these colors. If you’re driving around with red or blue underglow visible from the front, officers might think you’re impersonating emergency personnel.

Wondering if this applies to you? If your underglow setup shows red or blue when someone looks at your car from the front, you’re breaking the law. It doesn’t matter if the lights are underneath. If they’re visible from the front, that’s a violation.

The Penalties for Red or Blue Lights

Here’s where it gets serious. Violating the red and blue light law is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Not a traffic infraction. An actual misdemeanor.

A Class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado carries these penalties:

Up to 120 days in county jail. You could face between 10 and 120 days behind bars. Most people don’t expect jail time for car lights, but it’s possible.

Fines up to $750. The court can impose a fine of up to $750 for this offense. That’s on top of court costs and surcharges.

This law was updated in 2021. Senate Bill 21-271 changed the penalties, and these new rules took effect on March 1, 2022.

The law treats this seriously because red and blue lights create confusion. Other drivers might think you’re an emergency vehicle and react incorrectly. That creates dangerous situations on the road.

Safe Color Choices for Underglow

So what colors can you actually use? Amber and white are your safest bets. These colors are commonly permitted on vehicles in Colorado.

Some drivers also use purple, pink, or other colors that aren’t green, red, or blue. These aren’t specifically forbidden by state law. But you need to be careful. Stay away from anything that could be confused with emergency vehicle colors.

Honestly, this is the part most people miss. They think purple or pink is safe because it’s not red or blue. And technically, that’s true. But if your purple lights look too similar to blue in certain lighting conditions, you could still get pulled over.

What About Flashing or Rotating Lights?

The law doesn’t specifically ban flashing or rotating underglow. But here’s my advice: avoid them anyway.

Colorado law prohibits flashing lights that could distract other drivers. If your underglow flashes, rotates, or oscillates, a police officer could cite you for creating a hazard.

Keep your underglow steady and non-flashing. It’s just safer that way.

How Underglow Enforcement Actually Works

In practice, most police officers in Colorado won’t pull you over just for having underglow. They’re looking for the specific violations: green, red, or blue colors.

But here’s the thing. If you get stopped for another reason and the officer notices your underglow, they might add a citation for illegal lighting.

I looked this up recently. Many drivers have gotten tickets for underglow they thought was legal. They assumed their lights were fine because they bought them at a store. Big mistake. Just because a store sells colored lights doesn’t mean you can legally use them on Colorado roads.

Local Laws Can Be Stricter

Okay, pause. This part is important. Colorado state law sets the baseline for underglow regulations. But individual cities and counties can create stricter rules.

Some Colorado cities might ban underglow completely. Others might have additional color restrictions or brightness limits. Before you install underglow, check your local city or county ordinances.

Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and other major cities may have their own vehicle lighting rules. You need to follow both state and local laws.

Not sure where to find local rules? Call your city’s traffic enforcement office. They can tell you if underglow is restricted in your area.

License Plate and Required Lights

Your underglow can’t interfere with required vehicle lighting. This includes your headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals.

The license plate must remain clearly visible and properly illuminated. If your underglow blocks the license plate light or makes the plate hard to read, that’s a separate violation.

Colorado requires a white light to illuminate the rear license plate. The plate must be legible from 50 feet away. Don’t let your underglow mess with this requirement.

When to Turn Off Your Underglow

You’re probably wondering if there are times you need to turn off your underglow. The law doesn’t specifically require this. But use common sense.

If you’re driving through a construction zone, turn them off. If emergency vehicles are nearby, definitely turn them off. You don’t want to create confusion or distraction in situations where safety is critical.

Some drivers turn off their underglow when they get pulled over. This shows the officer you’re cooperating and aware of potential issues.

How to Install Underglow Legally

Want to stay on the right side of the law? Follow these steps:

Choose amber or white lights. These are the safest colors in Colorado. You won’t have any issues with these choices.

Make sure lights point downward. Underglow should illuminate the ground, not shine forward or upward. Lights that shine outward could violate glare restrictions.

Keep lights steady, not flashing. Avoid any pulsing, rotating, or oscillating effects. Steady lights are less likely to be considered a distraction.

Test from the front of your car. After installation, walk to the front of your vehicle. Can you see red or blue light from that angle? If yes, you need to adjust or remove those lights.

Check local ordinances. Visit your city or county website to see if there are additional restrictions in your area.

What Happens If You Get Pulled Over

If a police officer stops you for underglow violations, stay calm. Be polite and cooperative. Don’t argue about the law on the side of the road.

For green lights, you’ll likely get a Class A traffic infraction. That means a fine and points on your license. You might be able to pay the fine and avoid court.

For red or blue lights visible from the front, it’s more serious. You’ll get a court summons for a Class 2 misdemeanor. You cannot just pay a fine and move on. You have to appear in court.

Many people assume this is legal. They find out the hard way. Don’t be one of them.

Can You Fight an Underglow Ticket?

Yes, you can contest an underglow citation in court. But you need a valid defense.

Some drivers have successfully argued that their lights weren’t actually visible from the front. If you can prove the officer’s viewing angle was wrong, you might win.

Others have argued that their lights were amber, not red or blue. Color can sometimes be subjective, especially in certain lighting conditions.

If you plan to fight the ticket, take photos of your setup from multiple angles. Document exactly what colors your lights display and from which directions they’re visible. This evidence can help your case.

Why These Laws Exist

You might be wondering why Colorado has these specific color restrictions. It’s all about safety and emergency vehicle identification.

When drivers see red and blue lights, they expect an emergency vehicle. They pull over, slow down, or make room. If regular cars have red and blue lights, it creates confusion and could delay emergency responders.

Green lights serve a specific purpose at emergency scenes. They mark the command post where incident commanders coordinate response efforts. Allowing civilians to use green lights would undermine this system.

The laws protect everyone on the road. They keep emergency vehicles clearly identifiable.

Recent Updates to Colorado Light Laws

The last major change to Colorado’s vehicle lighting laws came in 2021. Senate Bill 21-271 updated several traffic offense classifications and penalties.

The changes took effect on March 1, 2022. Before this update, Class 2 misdemeanors carried different penalties. Now the maximum penalty is 120 days in jail and $750 in fines.

Colorado continues to enforce these laws strictly. Police officers receive training on vehicle lighting violations and how to identify illegal setups.

Underglow on Parked Vehicles

Here’s an interesting question many people ask. Can you use underglow when your car is parked?

The law focuses on vehicles being operated on public roads. If your car is parked on private property, underglow restrictions are less clear. But once you’re on a public highway or street, all the color rules apply.

Some car shows and events allow vehicles with any color underglow because they’re on private property. Just remember: you can’t drive there with illegal colors on public roads.

Motorcycle Underglow Rules

Do motorcycles follow the same underglow rules as cars? Yes, they do. Colorado’s vehicle lighting laws apply to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles.

Motorcycle riders need to be especially careful. Since motorcycles are smaller, underglow lights are often more visible. A color that barely shows on a car might be highly visible on a bike.

Motorcycles in Colorado must have their headlights on at all times while riding. Make sure your underglow doesn’t interfere with or overpower your required lights.

Underglow and Vehicle Inspections

Colorado doesn’t require regular safety inspections for most passenger vehicles. So underglow won’t typically come up during an inspection.

However, if you need an inspection for other reasons, the inspector might note illegal lighting. This could affect whether your vehicle passes.

Some insurance companies also care about modifications. If you have underglow installed, check with your insurance agent. Some policies might require you to disclose aftermarket lighting modifications.

Where to Find Official Colorado Laws

Want to read the actual statutes? All Colorado vehicle lighting laws are in Title 42 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. You can find them online for free.

The key sections to review are:

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-213 covers emergency vehicle lights, including the green light restriction.

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-215 discusses signal lamps and additional lighting equipment.

Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-238 specifically addresses the red and blue light prohibition.

These statutes are publicly available on the Colorado state legislature’s website. You can search for them by statute number.

Tips for Staying Legal

Let me give you some practical advice. If you want underglow on your car in Colorado, follow these tips:

Stick with amber or white. You won’t have any problems with these colors. They’re legal statewide and unlikely to cause issues in any Colorado city.

Install the lights yourself or use a reputable shop. Make sure they’re positioned correctly and point downward toward the ground.

Test your setup thoroughly. Walk around your car from every angle. Check what’s visible from the front, sides, and rear.

Keep your original receipt and product information. If you ever get questioned about your lights, you can show they’re advertised as legal underglow products.

When in doubt, turn them off. If you’re entering an area where you’re not sure about local rules, just switch off your underglow until you know it’s safe.

Trust me, this works. A little caution saves you from expensive tickets and potential misdemeanor charges.

The Bottom Line on Colorado Underglow

Colorado allows underglow lighting on vehicles. You can legally drive with these lights in most situations. But you must follow the color restrictions.

Never use green underglow. It’s illegal statewide and reserved for emergency command posts.

Never have red or blue lights visible from the front of your vehicle. This is a misdemeanor offense with serious penalties.

Stick with amber, white, or other non-emergency colors. These keep you legal and safe.

Check your local city or county rules. State law is just the baseline. Your city might have stricter requirements.

The key is knowing the rules before you install underglow. Don’t assume something is legal just because a store sells it. Take responsibility for understanding what’s allowed on Colorado roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is underglow illegal in Colorado? No, underglow is not illegal in Colorado. The state allows aftermarket vehicle lighting, including underglow. However, certain colors like green, red, and blue have strict restrictions.

What colors of underglow are legal in Colorado? Amber and white are the safest legal choices. Colors other than green, red, and blue are generally permitted, though you should check local ordinances. Avoid any color that could be confused with emergency vehicle lighting.

Can I go to jail for having red or blue underglow? Yes, it’s possible. Having red or blue lights visible from the front of your vehicle is a Class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado. This offense carries up to 120 days in jail and fines up to $750.

Are purple or pink underglow lights legal in Colorado? These colors aren’t specifically prohibited by state law. However, if they appear too similar to red or blue in certain lighting conditions, you could still face problems. Amber and white are safer choices.

Can I use underglow on private property in Colorado? Vehicle lighting laws primarily apply to vehicles operated on public roads. Using underglow on private property is generally less restricted, but you cannot drive on public roads with illegal color combinations.

Final Thoughts

Now you know the basics about underglow laws in Colorado. The rules aren’t complicated, but they’re important to follow.

Choose your colors wisely. Install your lights correctly. Check both state and local regulations. These simple steps keep you legal and avoid problems with law enforcement.

Underglow can make your car look amazing. Just make sure you’re doing it the right way. Stay informed, stay safe, and when in doubt, skip the red, blue, and green colors completely.

References

1. Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 42, Article 4, Part 2 – Equipment (https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-42.pdf)
2. Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-213 – Audible and visual signals on emergency vehicles (https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-42/regulation-of-vehicles-and-traffic/article-4/part-2/)
3. Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-238 – Blue and red lights – illegal use or possession (https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-42/regulation-of-vehicles-and-traffic/article-4/part-2/section-42-4-238/)
4. Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-215 – Signal lamps and devices – additional lighting equipment (https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-42-vehicles-and-traffic/co-rev-st-sect-42-4-215/)
5. Colorado Legislative Council – Class 2 Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses (https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2022A/bills/fn/2021a_sb271_f1.pdf)
6. NeonLaws.com – Colorado Underglow Laws (https://www.neonlaws.com/colorado/)