Colorado E-Bike Classes and Where You Can Ride
Colorado sorts e-bikes into three classes, and the class decides where you can ride. State law sets the baseline, then each town, county and land agency adds its own rules. Here is what the official sources say for our corner of the Front Range, with a link to each one so you can check the latest.
the most motor power a Colorado e-bike can have. Above that, it is not an e-bike under state law. (HB25-1197, CO Attorney General)
minimum age to ride a Class 3 e-bike. Riders and passengers under 18 need a helmet. (CRS 42-4-1412)
are the classes allowed on the local trails we checked. Class 3 is mostly limited to streets and bike lanes. (Town of Erie, Boulder County, City of Boulder)
The three e-bike classes
To count as an "electrical assisted bicycle" in Colorado, a bike needs two or three wheels, fully operable pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less, and it must fit one of these classes. (HB25-1197)
Pedal assist to 20 mph
The motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph. (HB25-1197)
Throttle or pedal, to 20 mph
The motor can help whether or not you pedal, and stops helping at 20 mph. (HB25-1197)
Pedal assist to 28 mph
The motor helps only while you pedal and stops helping at 28 mph. Class 3 bikes must have a speedometer that shows mph. (HB25-1197, CRS 42-4-221)
Not an e-bike: since the 2025 law, a bike that has been modified so it no longer fits a class, or one designed to be easily switched out of the class limits by a button, a software setting or an app, is not an e-bike under Colorado law. The Attorney General says vehicles like these are treated as motor vehicles, with licensing, registration and insurance rules. (HB25-1197, CO Attorney General)
Class 3 rules: age, helmets and speedometers
These come straight from state statute.
Age
- Riders under 16 may not ride a Class 3 e-bike on any street, highway, or bike or pedestrian path. (CRS 42-4-1412)
- Under-16s may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 bike that is designed to carry passengers. (CRS 42-4-1412)
Helmets and equipment
- Everyone under 18 who is riding or is a passenger on a Class 3 bike must wear a bicycle helmet that meets CPSC or ASTM specifications, with the chin strap fastened. (CRS 42-4-1412)
- Class 3 bikes must have a speedometer that shows mph. (CRS 42-4-221)
The age and helmet rules in this statute apply to Class 3. Whatever you ride, CPSC recommends always wearing a bicycle helmet. (CRS 42-4-1412, CPSC)
Labels and the 2025 law (HB25-1197)
The law was approved May 28, 2025, and the Attorney General says it took effect in August 2025. (HB25-1197, CO Attorney General)
Class label
New e-bikes need a permanent label showing the class number, top assisted speed and motor wattage. Anyone who changes a bike's speed or motor engagement must also update the label. (CRS 42-4-221)
Multi-mode bikes
From January 1, 2027, a bike that can switch between classes must have a label showing its highest class or every class it can run in. (HB25-1197)
What sellers must tell you
The motor wattage, maximum speed and class. For Class 3 bikes, sellers must also tell you it is unlawful for anyone under 16 to ride one in Colorado. (HB25-1197)
The law also requires e-bike batteries to be certified by an accredited lab to a battery standard referenced in UL 2849 or EN 15194, or another standard approved by the state fire division. See our safe e-bike buying guide. (HB25-1197)
State path rules: the starting point
Local rules can be stricter, so treat this as the default.
Class 1 and 2
You may ride on a bike or pedestrian path where bicycles are allowed. A local authority can ban them on paths it manages. (CRS 42-4-1412)
Class 3
Not allowed on a bike or pedestrian path unless the path is within a street or highway, or the local authority allows Class 3 on that path. (CRS 42-4-1412)
On sidewalks and paths, riders must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing. (CRS 42-4-1412)
Local trails and paths
What each agency's own page says as of October 19, 2026. Signs on the trail always win.
Town of Erie trails
Class 1 and 2 are allowed on Town-maintained multi-purpose, natural surface and singletrack trails, at 15 mph or less. Class 3 is not allowed on those trails and should stay on roads and bike lanes. No e-bikes on the pump track, park turf or native grass. (Town of Erie, Erie trails)
Coal Creek Trail
A 14-mile soft-surface regional trail from Superior through Louisville and Lafayette to Erie. Boulder County allows Class 1 and 2 on it; Class 3 is allowed only on the US 36 Bikeway among county trails. Our Erie shop is about 100 yards from the trail. (Coal Creek Trail, Boulder County)
City of Lafayette
Class 1 and 2 are allowed on paths and trails at 15 mph or less, or a lower posted limit. Class 3 is allowed only in bike lanes and on streets. Watch for signs that ban e-bikes on some paths. (Lafayette)
City of Louisville
Class 1 and 2 are allowed on Louisville trails. Class 3 is not allowed on trails or pedestrian paths and may only be ridden on public roads. (Louisville)
Boulder County Open Space
Class 1 and 2 are allowed on designated plains and regional trails, such as Coal Creek, LoBo, Rock Creek and Pella Crossing. All e-bikes are banned on foothills and mountain trails, including Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Betasso and Walker Ranch. (Boulder County)
City of Boulder and OSMP
Class 1 and 2 are allowed on city multi-use paths and on listed OSMP trails only. Class 3 is limited to streets and bike lanes. Multi-use paths have a 15 mph limit. (City of Boulder, Boulder OSMP)
Boulder Creek Path
The Boulder Creek Path is a City of Boulder multi-use path, so city rules apply: Class 1 and 2 at 15 mph or less, no Class 3. (Boulder Creek Path, City of Boulder)
Longmont and the St. Vrain Greenway
Longmont says Class 1 and 2 are allowed in city parks if they stay on sidewalks, trails or greenways. The St. Vrain Greenway is one of the city's greenways. See the note below about Class 3. (City of Longmont, Longmont greenways)
Riders with mobility disabilities
Boulder County allows people with mobility disabilities to use e-bikes as mobility devices on trails open to pedestrians, unless a trail is specifically designated otherwise. Boulder OSMP has its own program. (Boulder County, Boulder OSMP)
State parks and federal land
Each agency is different, and some treat e-bikes as motor vehicles.
Colorado state parks
Class 1 and 2 are allowed on roads, bike lanes, and multi-use trails and other areas open to non-motorized biking. In State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands, e-bikes are limited to designated roads and motorized camping or parking areas. No registration or permit is needed. (CPW)
National forests
The Forest Service treats e-bikes as motor vehicles. Class 1, 2 and 3 are allowed on motorized roads and trails. Check the current Motor Vehicle Use Map, which is reissued each year. (USFS, Arapaho-Roosevelt MVUM)
BLM land
E-bikes may use OHV areas and motorized trails. A non-motorized trail opens to e-bikes only after a local BLM decision. (BLM, BLM, Feb 2026)
Where the rules are unclear or sources differ
We would rather tell you than guess.
- Class 3 in Longmont. Longmont's e-bike page lists Class 1 and 2 for parks and greenways but does not say anything about Class 3. Under state law, Class 3 stays off paths unless the local authority allows it. We found no official Longmont page that allows it, so call the city before riding a Class 3 on a greenway. (City of Longmont, CRS 42-4-1412)
- Class 3 in state parks. CPW's page covers Class 1 and 2 but does not mention Class 3. Ask the park or check posted signs. (CPW)
- Class 3 helmet ages. The Attorney General's advisory says riders aged 16 to 18 must wear a helmet. The statute says everyone under 18 on a Class 3 bike, including passengers, must. We follow the statute. (CO Attorney General, CRS 42-4-1412)
- When labels started. The Attorney General's advisory says class, wattage and speed labels are required as of January 1, 2026, but the statute has required that label on new e-bikes since January 1, 2018. Either way, new bikes should carry one. (CO Attorney General, CRS 42-4-221)
- Motor limit wording. Lafayette's page says "less than 750 watts." State law says "not exceeding" 750 watts, so a 750-watt motor qualifies. (Lafayette, HB25-1197)
- National forests near us. Check the Arapaho and Roosevelt Motor Vehicle Use Map for current e-bike routes. We did not confirm specific routes. (Arapaho-Roosevelt MVUM)
Visit or call us
CyclErie Erie
515 Briggs St, Suite D, Erie, CO 80516
Call or text 720-235-8660
CyclErie Longmont
724 Main St, STE A, Longmont, CO 80501
Call or text 720-712-7666
Not sure which class your bike is?
Bring it by. We can find the class label with you and talk through where it is allowed, whether or not you bought it from us.
Last updated October 19, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked official pages and posted signs before you ride.
