State tint law
Colorado window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Colorado DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Colorado?
Darkness is measured as visible light transmission (VLT): the percentage of light that gets through. A lower number means darker tint.
| Window | Cars | SUVs and vans |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in more than 27% of light. | |
| Back side windows | Must let in more than 27% of light. | Must let in more than 27% of light. |
| Rear window | Must let in more than 27% of light. | Must let in more than 27% of light. |
Picked a legal shade? You can tint it yourself with a precut car tint kit from SnapTint, our DIY kit partner.
How reflective can tint be?
- Front side windows
- No metallic or mirrored appearance.
- Back side windows
- No metallic or mirrored appearance.
Other Colorado tint rules
- Restricted colors
- Red and amber are not allowed on the tint strip at the top of the windshield. The law names no colors for the other windows.
- Side mirrors
- Dual side mirrors are required if the back window is tinted.
- Film certification
- Film manufacturers don't need to certify the film they sell in the state.
- Sticker
- Stickers identifying legal tint are recommended but not required.
- Medical exemption
- The law has no medical exemption for darker tint.
Enforcement and penalties in Colorado
- Enforcement
- Police can stop you for tint alone. Metallic or mirrored film isn't allowed on any window.
- Penalties
- A Class B traffic infraction for drivers; installing film that breaks the limits is a Class A traffic infraction (C.R.S. 42-4-227(3)). Fines come from the state's infraction schedule.
Films of 27% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Colorado. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Colorado tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Colorado. We list all of them rather than picking one, so you can read them yourself and decide. Laws change, so check the current text before you install.
- Statute Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-227 (opens in a new tab) Justia
- Statute Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-227 (opens in a new tab) FindLaw
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