The Legal Window Tint Laws in Colorado

How Colorado Tinting Laws Work

Colorado Bill, S.B. 16-026, specifically refers to window tinting laws as "tinting materials." In fact it is the "tinting material" that is prohibited in the State of Colorado. The law also includes prohibitions on "tinting materials" on the windshield. The only windshield tinting that is permissible in Colorado is "non-reflective" tint. Even so, only the top three inches are allowed on the tinted windshield (if super dark shades are not your thing). Colorado law permits any darkness on the first two rows of windows only, provided that the tinting is not more than 70% darkness. Colorado mandates that the tinting placed on the front two rows of windows must have a minimum of 30% VLT (Visible Light Transmission). The tinting may be no more than 70%. Super dark tinting is permissible. Manufacturers and installers of window tinting can sell a variety of darkness levels, as long as you don’t go over 70% tinting on your front two windows . If you use window or other car glazing tints, then you must be sure to remove them in Colorado before you go to renew your registration. It seems that that is generally the rule in most states. Nevertheless, there is variance in the tint levels that are permitted, so it is well worth checking with your local Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you get pulled over, the officers no doubt will use the tint-meter to measure the darkness of your window tint. This is a great way to find your tint level—without getting a ticket. In Colorado, if rear-side windows do not have to be tinted at all. The same goes for the rear windows. Keep in mind, though, that if you don’t remove the tint from your windshield, you most likely will get a fix-it ticket. That means you will have to spend time and money to go to court, get the tint removed and have it re-inspected there, in order to avoid fines and points on your driver’s license. Unless of course, you get lucky (or smart) and take it off before you go back to the DMV for your next renewal.

Percent Of Tint That Is Allowed

Certain tint percentage limitations apply in Colorado for vehicles. Colorado tint laws stipulate the different visible light transmission (VLT) percentages required on the side windows and back windows of vehicles. For passenger and multipurpose vehicles of van or truck type, the VLT of the window tint must be 27% or higher on the front windshield, side windows and rear window area. The tint for vans and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 1,600 pounds must have a visible light transmission (VLT) of 70% or higher. For vans and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 1,600 to 3,500 pounds, tint of 45% or higher is required.
Other tint percentage requirements include the tint of the side windows of station wagons, hatchbacks and open top pickup trucks that must also have a visible light transmission (VLT) of 27% or higher. The tint of the rear driver’s and passenger’s side windows and rear window area of station wagons, hatchbacks and open top pickup trucks must have a visible light transmission (VLT) of 27% or higher.
Tint percentage requirements for buses, SUVs, motorcycles and mopeds are as follows: front windshield tint must have a VLT of 75% or higher; tint of the side windows of motorcycles and mopeds must have a VLT of 27% or higher while the tint of the windshield and other windows areas must have a VLT of 70% or higher; tint of the side and rear windows of buses must have a VLT of 27% or higher.
Additional tint percentage requirements for taxis, limousines and vans includes the requirements that the tint of the window areas to the left and right of the operator must have a VLT of 27% or higher. The tint of the rearmost window of a stretch limousine must have a VLT of 27% or higher while the tint of the reevaluated windows of a stretch limousine must have a VLT of 70% or higher.

Penalties For Violating Tint Laws

Like a traffic signal, window tint laws are in place to protect the public, as well as those who are subjected to them. Therefore, if you’re flying through a red light, you’ll get pulled over and given a ticket. The same goes for window tint laws in Colorado. The penalties are both immediate and long-term.
The immediate penalties usually come in the form of fines or citations. A police officer is charged with protecting those on the roadways, and enforcing the rules of the road are part of that mission. Unfortunately, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to be cited for having illegal tint; make sure your tint meets the legal requirements.
In the state of Colorado, window tint violations fall under the "unlawful vehicle equipment" law, which carries a hefty fine. A first offense will result in a penalty of $50, while a second offense carries a fine of $100. These fines can add up pretty quickly if you opt for darker tint, as frequent tint violation tickets are not fun, nor are they cheap.
The legal penalties become even more severe with a third or continued offense. The third time you’re caught with illegal tint, you’ll be charged with a class B petty offense. Penalties for this offense include a fine of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both. The offense is still considered a petty offense, but the penalty is much more severe.
In addition to these penalties, if you’re pulled over and it’s discovered that your tint doesn’t comply with the law, you’ll be cited and mandated to remove or replace the tint before you can legally drive again. And of course fines collected from these violations goes directly into the state coffers.
Collectively speaking, window tint violations add up, and the fines can be astronomical. You’d be amazed at how quickly window tint fines can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars. By complying with Colorado tint law, not only will you be keeping your community safe, you’ll also be saving yourself a rather large sum of money.

Exemptions To Windshield Laws

Although the prohibitions stated above are, in most cases, absolute, some exceptions do apply. For example, camcorders, news media vehicles and vehicles used by the mass transit consumer are exempt from window tinting prohibitions. Also exempt are trucks, vans, buses and other motor vehicles that are required to display temporary plates, like rental cars or those borrowing from a local auto dealer. The law further states that if window tinting is installed on a passenger car at the time of its manufacture, the tinting need not be replaced with window tinting which complies with the passenger car window tinting prohibitions when the vehicle is sold as a new vehicle, granted the window tinting provided by the manufacturer complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. However, if window tinting is subsequently added to a passenger car, or the rear or side windows of a multi-purpose passenger vehicle, other-than-new tinting of window glazing which complies with the window tinting prohibitions, then the window tinting which was originally installed may remain on the vehicle until the vehicle is either sold or traded by the buyer.

Measuring Tint Level

It is essential to measure the amount of visible tint on your vehicle’s windows before deciding to apply legal tint films. In Colorado, window tint levels are measured in percentages of Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Under Colorado law, passenger and multi-purpose vehicles (SUV, vans and pick-ups) may have window tinting that adheres to the following:
•Front windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line or above the eyebrow line, and a maximum of 27% VLT.
•Front side windows: Window tint must have at least 27% light transmittance (VLT).
•Back side windows: No restrictions on window tint placement or tint darkness.
•Rear window: No restrictions on window tint placement or tint darkness.
Illegal window tint can lead to fines and the removal of tinted windows .
Our toolkit for checking tint levels includes a commercially available tint tester and colorimeter. The tint tester shines a light through the glass to measure the percentage of visible light transmission over the area, with the tinted film applied. The tint tester can be set to measure absorption (that is, how dark the window appears) or reflection (how much light is reflected outward).
The colorimeter measures the transmission, reflection and absorption of any given wavelength of visible light. We typically use it to confirm tint percentages by measuring the edges and center of the windshield and window. These measurements can detect when the tint film fails a tint test by showing a VLT reading that is higher than the specified amount.

Where to Get Your Legal Tint Installed

Not all installers follow the state’s window tint requirements. But it’s becoming more and more common, especially among certain retailers that "moonlight" as window tint installers. It’s important to ask about legal window tinting services when seeking estimates. You want to make sure you’re hiring an expert who is up-to-date on the latest window tinting laws for your state. If you go with some random person who is offering a cheap price without properly documenting your window tint installation, you could end up getting cited, having the curtains drawn on the entire project.

The Advantages Of Legal Tint

Given the potentially severe legal consequences of failing to comply with the regulations set out above, there are many benefits to understanding the legal regulations surrounding tinting. Whether you are tinting for cosmetic or utilitarian reasons, if the tint does not meet certain standards, it could actually detract from your overall experience with your vehicle’s window tint. One of the biggest benefits of compliant window tint is safety. Although many people have cosmetic reasons for tinting their windows, most rely on tinting for additional benefits. As discussed above, people who tint their windows do so for the benefits of reduced suns glare and the preservation of their interior. These benefits are now in jeopardy if the window tinting does not meet certain legal standards. Another benefit of complying with the law is comfort. Since comfort goes hand-in-hand with safety, proper tinting protects your eyesight and reduces sun glare . Compliant tint also protects your interior and preserves its quality. By reducing sun glare, the comfort of driving during bright hours is made easier. Still another benefit of compliant window tint is the peace of mind that comes with compliance. Whether you are pulled over for another reason or simply stopped at a rest area, having tint that meets regulations means that you are fully protected should a police officer try to ticket you. Since ignorance is no excuse, even if you are not aware that the tint does not meet regulations, it does not excuse the fine. Often, officers are not fully trained on the legal standards for window tint, therefore, many people are unjustly cited for their tint not complying with regulations. If the tint had been compliant with regulations, the ticket would not have occurred in the first place. Compliant tint means peace of mind.