Who must wear a helmet in Colorado, the penalties for not wearing one, and the eye-protection rules every rider should know.
Colorado has a partial motorcycle helmet law. Under Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1502(4.5), a person may not operate or ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or low-power scooter unless each person under 18 years of age is wearing an approved motorcycle helmet (Colorado Handbook §2.1).
There is no helmet requirement for operators or passengers who are 18 or older. Even so, the handbook strongly recommends a helmet for every rider: unhelmeted riders are three times more likely to die of head injuries than helmeted riders.
Every motorcycle operator and every passenger under 18 years of age must wear an approved helmet — there is no exception for young riders.
A rider who is 18 or older may legally ride without a helmet in Colorado. The handbook notes that most riders are going slower than 30 mph when they are hurt, and that at those speeds a helmet can cut both the number and the severity of head injuries by half.
Operating or riding as a passenger under 18 without an approved helmet violates Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1502(4.5) and is a traffic offense. Because the law also covers passengers, an operator can be cited for carrying an unhelmeted passenger who is under 18. Confirm current fine amounts with the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles or the Colorado State Patrol.
Separate from the helmet rule, eye protection for motorcycle operators and passengers is required by Colorado law — Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-232 — at every age (Colorado Handbook §2.1). This applies even to riders who are not required to wear a helmet.
To be effective, eye or face-shield protection must be free of scratches, made of shatterproof material, give a clear view to either side, and fasten securely so it does not blow off. A windshield is not a substitute for a face shield or goggles, and tinted eye protection should never be worn at night.
A legal motorcycle helmet must meet the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) FMVSS 218 standard. Look for the "DOT" certification label on the back. Helmets that meet stricter Snell or ECE standards offer additional protection. Avoid novelty helmets — they are not legal head protection.
Source: Sources differ on this state's test details; the most credible consensus is shown. Confirm with the state agency. The motorcycle knowledge test consists of 25 questions; you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass. The question count is third-party consensus — the official DMV page does not publish it. An approved Basic Rider Course can waive the on-cycle skills test, but every applicant must still pass the written knowledge test.