Have you ever wondered why tinting the driver's and front passenger side windows is illegal in some states?
It usually comes down to a law enforcement safety issue. In many states, tinting these windows--or applying
dark tint to them--is illegal, because if you get pulled over, the police want to be able to see into your
vehicle. Quite simply, they want to know if you're pulling a gun on them--or trying to hide drugs or alcohol.
The following provides information about Colorado's 2-phase auto window tinting law...
Colorado Tinting Law Overview
- A tint brow on the windshield can go no lower than 4 inches.
- Any tint can be applied to the back and rear side windows.
If less than 27% net light can pass through any of these
windows, NO tint can be applied to the front side windows.
- Front and rear side windows and the back windows can all be
tinted, as long as all windows allow 27% net light to pass through.
- No mirrored tint is allowed in any window.
- The Colorado law went into effect in 1989.
Enforcement Note : The fine for being in violation is $50 and the driver is
not usually required to fix the windows. Tint shops are not allowed to tint
cars beyond state law. State patrol carries light meters along with some local
towns but they don't worry about window tinting unless it is very dark such
as limo tint (5%).
Colorado Statute 42-4-227
Windows unobstructed - certain materials prohibited - windshield
wiper requirements.
(1) (a) Except as provided in this paragraph (a), no person shall operate any
motor vehicle registered in Colorado on which any window, except the
windshield, is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material or
component which presents an opaque, nontransparent, or metallic or mirrored
appearance in such a way that it allows less than twenty-seven percent light
transmittance. The windshield shall allow seventy percent light transmittance.
The provisions of this paragraph (a) shall not apply to the windows to the rear
of the driver, including the rear window, on any motor vehicle; however, if
such windows allow less than twenty-seven percent light transmittance, then the
front side windows and the windshield on such vehicles shall allow seventy
percent light transmittance.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1),
nontransparent material may be applied, installed, or affixed to the topmost
portion of the windshield subject to the following:
(I) The bottom edge of the material extends no more than four inches measured
from the top of the windshield down;
(II) The material is not red or amber in color, nor does it affect perception
of primary colors or otherwise distort vision or contain lettering that
distorts or obstructs vision;
(III) The material does not reflect sunlight or headlight glare into the eyes
of occupants of oncoming or preceding vehicles to any greater extent than the
windshield without the material.
(c) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to prevent the use of any
window which is composed of, covered by, or treated with any material or
component in a manner approved by federal statute or regulation if such window
was included as a component part of a vehicle at the time of the vehicle
manufacture, or the replacement of any such window by such covering which meets
such guidelines.
(d) No material shall be used on any window in the motor vehicle that presents
a metallic or mirrored appearance.
(e) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to deny or prevent the
use of certificates or other papers which do not obstruct the view of the
driver and which may be required by law to be displayed.
(2) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for
cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall
be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle.
(3) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3), any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B
Traffic Infraction.
(b) Any person who installs, covers, or treats a windshield or window so
that the windshield or window does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a)
of subsection (1) of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less
than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars.
(4) This section shall apply to all motor vehicles.
The following chart shows the state laws regarding auto window tinting, across the United States.
