An Overview of Colorado Tint Laws
The application of window tint on vehicles in Colorado generally has no specific state level tint limit across all drivers’ vehicles; however, there are restrictions on the types of tint that can be used as well as at what points on the windows of motor vehicles they can be applied. For instance, all tinted window film products must meet a certain level of Visible Light Transmission and Visible Light Reflectance as described below:
• Sedans and SUVs/Vans
o Windshield: 70% VLT VTR
o Driver’s Side: 27% VLT VTR
o Passenger’s Side: 27% VLT VTR
o Rear Windows: 27% VLT VTR
o Quarter Windows: 27% VLT VTR
o Limos: 27% VLT VTR, 5% VLT VTR (rear window only)
• Pickup Trucks
o Windshield: 70% VLT VTR
o Driver’s Side: 40% VLT VTR
o Passenger’s Side: 40% VLT VTR
o Rear Windows: 27% VLT VTR
o Quarter Windows: 27% VLT VTR
• Multi-Purpose and Passenger Vehicles
o Windshield: 70% VLT VTR
o Driver’s Side: 27% VLT VTR
o Passenger’s Side: 27% VLT VTR
o Rear Windows: 27% VLT VTR
o Quarter Windows: 27% VLT VTR
o Limos: 27% VLT VTR , 5% VLT VTR (rear window only)
These examples are for illustrative purposes only. For an up to date tint dose calculator, please visit [insert latest Tint Dose Calculator]
With respect to the types of tint on a motor vehicle’s windows, any alterations to standard window tint contain two restrictions:
(1) Any tint cannot be more than 1 inch in width; and
(2) The tint must be installed parallel, and close to the top edge of the windshield in order to comply with state regulations.
Similarly, while Colorado allows tinted head lights, the tint also has the aforementioned width restriction and must be installed upon and as close to the lamp itself as is possible.
As it stands, Colorado prohibits any tint that is red, blue, or yellow in color, reflective, and/or a color that would obscure or mimic visual signals and emergency light colors.
What is Visible Light Transmission (VLT)?
One of the most significant factors to consider when understanding and complying with the various laws and regulations related to window tint is that of the Visible Light Transmission, or VLT. VLT refers to the amount of visible light transmission a piece of glass allows through the tint layer into the car or truck interior. VLT is expressed as a percentage, which when referring to the legal tint laws of most states such as Colorado, relates directly to the percentage of VLT that is required to be present on any given piece of glass.
There have long been many debates in the tint community regarding these VLT percentages and the use of the various tint meters, or light meters, that are used to measure this function. While the accuracy of each device in question is very much up for debate, one thing is for certain, the VLT percentage directly affects the functionality or visible appearance of the tint. The percentage VLT typically depends upon the darkness of the film applied, whether or not the film is dyed or coated, as well as whether or not the glass itself is tinted.
Both auto and flat glass are subject to visible light transmission requirements for tinting according to the section 5-3-103 of the Colorado Code of Regulations. Colorado requires that the VLT of any film or coating installed does not allow for less than 27% VLT on a sedan while requiring at least a 70% VLT on the windshield of all passenger vehicles. Keep in mind that this applies to tinted windows at the time of installation and tint may become darker over time due to the natural aging process of the film. In addition to the VLT percentages listed above, tint manufacturers often list an LTV on the film packaging, which refers to the light transmitted through both the film and the adhesive based upon the VLT of the window.
Colorado Tint Law Penalties
Penalties for tint law violations in Colorado range from a slap on the wrist to more serious consequences. The penalties depend on whether this is a first or second tint violation, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, and if someone was injured because of the tint violation.
• It is a class B petty offense to display a tint that violates C.R.S. 42-4-226;
• It is a class A traffic misdemeanor if the tint – although violating C.R.S. 42-4-226 – does not cause an injury, and;
• It is a class 6 felony if the tint – although violating C.R.S. 42-4-226 – caused an injury.
Electrical devices that cause tint to dim automatically, for instance, are a violation of C.R.S. 42-4-226(1)(a)(VI). However, just as with tinted windows, an electrical device that causes tint to dim automatically in response to a bright light does not enhance nighttime driving visibility so it is a violation of C.R.S. 42-4-226.
If the police stop you because they believe you have illegally tinted windows, they can ticket you if you violate any of the following tint laws:
• You can have sunscreen material on your windows but it cannot exceed a total of 25 inches
• There can be no more than one opaque strip on the windshield, and that strip cannot exceed five inches measured from the top of the window glass downward
• The tint on the windshield has to permit 27 percent light transmittance
• The tint on the front window has to permit 27 percent light transmittance
• The tint on the side windows has to permit 27 percent light transmittance or detectable in the rear and side windows by a regardless of position
• The tint on the rear window has to permit 27 percent light transmittance
The penalty for violating any of the tint laws outlined above is a class B petty offense in Colorado. You will get a ticket and have to pay the fine set forth in the ticket. The fine can be $75, however, it is at the discretion of the judge to reduce the amount of the fine. In some cities, such as Longmont, the fine is $100 for violating the window tint law.
If you install illegal tinted windows, in Colorado, you are facing a misdemeanor offense if the tint violation does not cause injury to another person. If someone is injured because of your tinted windows, you may face a Class 6 felony if the police charge you with one of these crimes:
• Assault in the Third Degree
• Reckless Endangerment
• Careless Driving
• Offenses relating to Insurance
• Reckless Driving
Installation of illegal tinted windows is the most prohibited tint law in Colorado. If a person is injured because of illegal tint installation, the penalty can be severe, with fines of $500-$5,000 and 2-3 years in prison.
Colorado Tint Law Exceptions
There are only a couple exemptions allowed regarding tint in Colorado. The first exemption involves a medical necessity. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has on their website that "The Medical Exemption Form certifies the applicant meets medical requirements for tinted windows that exceed the allowable limits." However , the medical exemption form needs to be filled out and in your car while driving with excessive tint, providing the authorities with documentation on your medical necessity of having darker tint. The other exemption is that a person can have a 3 – 5 inch band across the windshield, however, it must not extend below the AS-1 line. It is essential to have the right amount of tint on your car windows to avoid a ticket and fines.
Choosing Tint That is Legal
When it comes to selecting the right window film for your vehicle, clients often find themselves confused about how to select the correct films. Measuring the VLT is one of the best ways to understand the tint of your films on all vehicle windows. Furthermore, choosing a reputable installer that understands the different VLT’s will go far in assisting you in making the right decision. The VLT is the common denominator when determining if the tint on your windows is in compliance with the law and how much light will be allowed to come in your car as well as how much UV and infrared protection your window films will give you. Interested readers can review our legal tint article which dives deep into the subject to find out more.
Legislation and Changes to the Law
Over the past few years, there have been a number of legislative efforts aimed at making significant changes to Colorado’s tint laws. Most of these have been geared toward allowing more lenient regulations on window tint for medical patients or the elderly. However, not all of these proposed changes have been passed. For instance, in 2019, HB 1242 was proposed as "Concerning allowing a disabled driver to obtain a disabled-driver’s identification card, and, in connection therewith, a fee waiver to obtain a disability licenses plates, and flexibility with respect to the placement of disability license plates in certain cases". This bill had a companion bill in the Senate but neither were passed. Another attempt to allow vehicle window tinting due to a medical condition was proposed in 2021 (HB 1253). This bill would amend the definition of "excessive window tint" and expand the list of individuals who are exempt from the prohibition against excessive window tinting to include a person with a medical condition that makes exposure to bright sunlight dangerous. While this bill showed some promise, it did not pass. However, while these bills have not made it through the legislature, there has been a legislative trend over the past few years toward amending some of the restrictions on car window tinting. In 2018, SB 22-50 Modify Definition Of "Excessive Window Tint" was introduced and enacted. This amended the definition of this phrase and the rules regarding tinting windows for people with a disability. This was followed in 2019 by SB 43 Concerning Vehicle Window Tint Requirements for Medical and Disabled Persons which increased the percentage of reflective tinting on vehicles for those who need them. In 2020 , SB 4 Concerning the Further Decriminalization of Excessive Window Tinting ("SB 4") was enacted. This bill prohibited law enforcement officers from stopping, citing, or arresting an individual for violating window tinting laws unless they could visually determine that the front windows were tinted beyond the legal limits. This meant that an officer could not initiate a traffic stop for window tinting while driving down the road if they could not see that the tint was excessive until they stopped, at which point they would not be able to tell without a scientifically calibrated instrument. This recent wave of legislation has opened up the possibility for tint on front windows that still passes safety inspection and is exempt from law enforcement ridicule; however, the modifications to the legal language have not yet succeeded in increasing the number of exemptions available to vehicle owners. While it is possible that more bills will be proposed that could offer greater allowances for medical patients or the elderly, it is unlikely that these will be passed and go into effect for some time, if ever. Nonetheless, if any upcoming tint law changes are deemed too extreme, the legislature can surely be convinced to take even further steps to amendment. For now, the tradeoff between medical patients, the elderly, and overly tinted windows on their vehicles is likely to continue.