Colorado Truck Idling Law
Colorado caps idling at 5 minutes in any 60-minute period (C.R.S. 42-14-105, updated by HB24-1341 in 2024). There is a real cold-weather break: up to 20 minutes per hour when it is below 10F. Sleeper-berth heat or AC is allowed at rest areas, or when parked at least 1,000 feet from homes and schools. Denver runs its own 5-minute rule.
When you can keep idling
- Traffic or law-enforcement direction
- A safety or health emergency
- Repairs and inspections
- PTO work
- Sleeper-berth heat or AC during rest at rest areas, commercial truck stops, and fleet terminals; elsewhere when legally parked 1,000+ feet from homes, schools, daycares, hospitals, senior centers, or medical outpatient facilities
- Cold weather: up to 20 minutes per hour below 10F
APUs and idle-reduction gear
APU or idle-reduction tech earns up to a 550-pound weight allowance (8 CCR 1507-28).
City and county ordinances
- Denver runs its own 5-minutes-per-hour ordinance.
Colorado Idling Law FAQ
Is there a truck idling law in Colorado?
How long can a truck idle in Colorado?
What is the fine for idling in Colorado?
Does an APU count as idling in Colorado?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/laws/IR?state=CO. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
More for Colorado
Check Colorado before you roll
Live weather, closures, and hazards on one map. Free, no account.
Open Live Map →