Driving barefoot in Colorado is not illegal. There are no state laws or regulations that prohibit operating a motor vehicle without shoes.
Whether you’re driving through Denver, the mountains, or anywhere else in Colorado, you will not be ticketed or fined simply for being barefoot behind the wheel. This is a common misconception, but Colorado law does not require drivers to wear footwear.
Safety Considerations
While legal, driving barefoot is generally not recommended by safety experts. Here’s why:
- Reduced Pedal Control: Bare feet can slip off pedals, especially if they are wet or sweaty, making it harder to brake or accelerate safely.
- Delayed Reaction Times: Lack of proper footwear can cause discomfort, potentially slowing your response in emergencies.
- Injury Risk: In a crash or if you need to exit your vehicle quickly, bare feet are more vulnerable to injury from debris, glass, or hot pavement.
- Potential Legal and Insurance Issues: If being barefoot is determined to have contributed to an accident (for example, if your foot slipped off a pedal), it could be considered negligent driving. This might affect how fault is assigned in an accident and could be noted in police and insurance reports.
Accident and Liability Implications
Although being barefoot alone is not a traffic violation, it can become relevant if you are involved in an accident:
- Contributing Factor: If law enforcement or insurance adjusters believe that driving barefoot impaired your control and contributed to a crash, this can be recorded in the official accident report and may influence fault and insurance claims.
- Comparative Negligence: Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If being barefoot is found to be a factor in the accident, you could be assigned a percentage of fault, potentially reducing any compensation you receive.
Common Myths
- Myth: Driving barefoot is illegal.
Fact: There are no laws against it in Colorado. - Myth: You will get a ticket for driving barefoot.
Fact: You cannot be ticketed solely for not wearing shoes; only unsafe driving or other violations can result in a citation. - Myth: Insurance won’t cover barefoot drivers in accidents.
Fact: Insurance coverage is not dependent on footwear, but lack of shoes may be considered if it contributed to the accident.
Summary Table
| Action | Legal in Colorado? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving barefoot | Yes | No law prohibits it, but safety concerns exist |
| Ticket for being barefoot | No | Only if unsafe driving or other violations occur |
| Insurance coverage | Yes | Unless barefoot driving contributed to the accident; could affect fault determination |
You are legally allowed to drive barefoot in Colorado. However, if your lack of footwear is found to have contributed to an accident, it could impact your liability and insurance claim. For optimal safety and to avoid complications, it’s best to wear secure, comfortable shoes while driving.
Sources:
- https://mydenveraccidentlawfirm.com/news-resources/is-it-legal-to-drive-without-shoes/
- https://www.codot.gov/safety/distracteddriving/colorado-hands-free-law
- https://personalinjuryco.com/can-you-drive-barefoot-in-colorado/
- https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/criminal-defense/driving-barefoot-is-it-legal/