Snowmobile Laws and Regulations

Become a wise and safe Snowmobile operator by getting to know the rules of the trail in Colorado. Read up on the and legislative statutes for operating snowmobiles in Colorado.

Code of Colorado Regulations
Chapter 4 Snowmobile Regulations

ARTICLE 1 - Pursuant to the authority vested in the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Board by Article 14 of Title 33, C.R.S., the following regulations concerning required equipment and the registration of snowmobiles are hereby adopted.

#400 - Registration Information Required on Application.

a.    Information to be furnished by applicant:
        1.  Snowmobile make
        2.  Snowmobile model
        3.  Snowmobile frame number
        4.  Model year
        5.  Cubic centimeters displacement
        6.  Date purchased
        7.  Proof of ownership or valid transfer registration certificate
        8.  Name and address of applicant
        9.  Date of birth
        10. How machine is used

b.    Additional information set forth on the registration certificate:
        1.  Registration number
        2.  Expiration date of registration
        3.  Notice to owner of procedure to follow when owner changes address
        4.  Notice to owner of procedure to follow when machine is transferred,
             destroyed, abandoned, or permanently removed from the state
        5.  Notice to owner that the operator must carry the certificate of registration
             while operating the snowmobile 

c.    Pending registration of a snowmobile, a temporary registration of possession on 
       the person of a notarized and dated bill of sale permits the operator of the newly
       purchased snowmobile to operate the snowmobile in the State of Colorado for a
       period not to exceed thirty (30) days from date of purchase.

#401 - Display of Validation Decal

a.    The validation decals shall be permanently affixed on each side of the upper half
        of the cowling of the machine.

b.    Dealers and manufacturers may obtain up to 25 sets of validation decals and shall
        permanently affix them on each side of the upper half of the cowling of the
         machine.

#402 - Safety Equipment

a.    Except as provided by law, every snowmobile operating in this state shall be 
       equipped with a muffler in good working order which conforms to the standards
       set forth in C.R.S. 1973, 42-4-222, as amended.

b.    No snowmobile shall be operated between the hours of sunset and sunrise unless
        it is equipped with at least one head lamp having a minimum candlepower of
        sufficient intensity to reveal persons and objects at a distance of at least 100 
        feet ahead under normal atmospheric conditions. Such head lamp shall be so 
        aimed that glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of operators in oncoming
        vehicles.

c.    No snowmobile shall be operated between the hours of sunset and sunrise unless 
        it is equipped with at least one red tail lamp, having a minimum candlepower of
        sufficient intensity to exhibit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet
        to the rear under normal atmospheric conditions.

d.    No snowmobile shall be operated unless it is equipped with brakes adequate to
        control the movement of, to stop, and to hold the snowmobile under any
        conditions of operations.

33-15-102.  Imposition of penalty – procedures.

(1) Any person who violates any of the provisions of articles 10 to 15 or 32 of this title or any rule of the board that does not have a specific penalty listed is guilty of a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of fifty dollars.


Code of Colorado Regulations Registration Fee Schedule for Snowmobiles