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Colorado reckless-driving law · statutory facts · Statutory and agency facts

Reckless Driving in Colorado

Colorado reckless-driving law uses a wanton-or-willful-disregard standard that differs from careless driving and ordinary traffic infractions.

By Ike Lucero, Jr., Attorney at Law Sources checked August 22, 2026 Attorney reviewed August 22, 2026
Information, not instructions. Speed, a collision, or a citation label does not by itself determine whether the statutory reckless-driving standard is established.

Statutory standard and classification

Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-1401 generally addresses driving alleged to indicate wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property and classifies the offense as a misdemeanor traffic offense.

Scheduled DMV points

Colorado’s current statewide schedule assigns eight points to a reckless-driving conviction. The final reported conviction, age, and existing record determine the separate point-suspension analysis.

Federal CDL category

Federal CDL regulations identify certain reckless-driving convictions, as defined by state or local law, as serious traffic violations. Repeated qualifying convictions from separate incidents can produce commercial disqualification under the federal table.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How is reckless driving classified in Colorado?

Colorado classifies reckless driving as a misdemeanor traffic offense rather than an ordinary traffic infraction.

How many points are scheduled for reckless driving?

Colorado’s statewide schedule currently lists eight points for a reckless-driving conviction.

Does high speed automatically establish reckless driving?

No. Speed may be part of an allegation, but the statutory standard concerns wanton or willful disregard under the complete circumstances.

Is reckless driving a federal CDL serious traffic violation?

Federal rules list qualifying reckless-driving convictions, as defined by state or local law, as serious traffic violations.

Can reckless driving contribute to a point suspension without a DUI?

Yes. A reported reckless-driving conviction carries scheduled points independently of any DUI allegation.

Official Colorado and federal sources

These official government sources support the factual copy above. Source availability, laws, and agency information can change.

Sources checked August 22, 2026. Attorney reviewed August 22, 2026.

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