Colorado sets school zone boundaries and allows slower school streets

Local governments must list the schools whose zones they will determine. Responsible state or local governments must post signs identifying school zones and doubled penalties. The general rule covers roads within 1,000 feet of school property, with exceptions for existing zones, approved reductions, and state highways. Local governments choose which schools to include. Existing zones extending more than 200 feet remain the zones for those schools, and their existing signs qualify. Local governments may reduce zones after a public hearing, but not below 200 feet. They may also make zones larger than 1,000 feet. State highways require designation by the Colorado Department of Transportation or local designation with its written approval. The law takes effect after the 90-day period following final adjournment: August 12, 2026, if adjournment was May 13. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until November 2026 voter approval and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.

Local governments may designate roads immediately beside school property as school streets and may close them to vehicles. A school street is a designated stretch of road immediately next to a school property boundary. State highways must meet the school zone designation requirements. Roads directly connecting to state highways need written approval from the Colorado Department of Transportation. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of small mobility devices. Bicyclists and mobility-device riders must yield to pedestrians. Responsible state or local governments must post signs identifying school streets and their speed limits. Sections 42-4-801, 42-4-803, and 42-4-805(1) and (2) do not apply. Local governments may suspend other traffic rules that endanger these users and hinder walking or biking. The law takes effect after the 90-day period following final adjournment: August 12, 2026, if adjournment was May 13. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until November 2026 voter approval and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.

Traffic enforcement camera systems may detect moving traffic violations in school zones and along designated routes to school. The provision covers school zones and roads that local governments designate as safe routes to school. A route must be used by people walking and biking to or from a nearby school and designated by a local government for their safety. Camera use must follow applicable authorization rules and state highway requirements. Cameras detecting moving violations along designated routes to school are exempt from subsection 42-4-110.5(2)(g). The law takes effect after the 90-day period following final adjournment: August 12, 2026, if adjournment was May 13. A timely referendum petition delays challenged provisions until November 2026 voter approval and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.