Signs, signals and markings in Colorado

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify a sign's type from its shape and color.
• You can respond correctly to steady and flashing signals.
• You can read yellow and white pavement lines and know when passing is allowed.
• You can recognize Colorado mountain and wildlife signs.
• You can obey pedestrian signals as a driver.

What you need to know and understand

• Octagon means stop; downward triangle means yield; diamond means warning; pentagon means school area or crossing.
• Red signals stop or prohibition, yellow means warning, orange marks work zones, green gives directions, blue shows services and brown points to recreation.
• A flashing red light means stop, then go when safe, like a stop sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution.
• Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate lanes going the same way.
• A solid yellow line on your side means do not pass; a broken line means you may pass when it is safe.
• During a winter storm, CDOT can put the Traction Law or Chain Law into effect, shown on highway signs and message boards.
• Penalties for moving violations are doubled in posted wildlife crossing zones.

Reading shapes and colors

• Octagon (red): stop sign. Stop fully at the line, crosswalk or point where you can see.
• Triangle pointing down (red and white): yield. Slow and stop if needed.
• Rectangle (white): regulatory, such as speed limits and turn rules.
• Diamond (yellow): warning of curves, hills, merges or animals.
• Pentagon (fluorescent yellow-green or yellow): school zone or school crossing.
• Round (yellow): advance warning of a railroad crossing; the white X crossbuck marks the crossing itself.
• Orange: construction and maintenance zones, where speeding fines are doubled.

Signals and lights

On a steady green, you may go but must still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. A green arrow lets you make only that movement. Steady yellow warns that red is coming; stop if you can do so safely. On steady red, stop and wait, except for the right-on-red and one-way left-on-red rules. A flashing red works like a stop sign and a flashing yellow means go carefully.

Pedestrian signals tell walkers what to do, but they also tell you something: when a walk signal is on, pedestrians crossing in that direction have the right of way.

Lines on the road and Colorado specials

Double solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction. Solid white lines discourage lane changes; broken white lines show lanes you may change between with care. Arrows painted in a lane tell you which way you must go from it.

In the mountains, watch for steep grade warnings, runaway truck ramp signs, and Traction Law or Chain Law notices. When the Traction Law is active, you need suitable tires with enough tread, or chains or an approved traction device. Our Colorado mountain winter driving guide explains the details.

Common mistakes

• Treating a flashing red light as a yield instead of a full stop.
• Passing on a solid yellow line because the road looks clear.
• Ignoring wildlife crossing signs at dawn and dusk, when animals move most.
• Missing a Traction Law message board before climbing a pass.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Colorado

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Colorado 30-Hour Driver Ed vs 4-Hour Driver Awareness Course
• Colorado 50-Hour Driving Log and Affidavit of Liability Checklist
• Colorado Permit Test