Colorado Traffic Signals and Right-of-Way

Obeying a traffic light, signaling a turn and yielding to another vehicle are different subjects under Colorado law. A vehicle signal communicates an intended movement; it does not replace the rules governing that movement. This page compares selected state provisions for ordinary motor-vehicle traffic in effect on September 7, 2026.

Official controls and steady traffic lights

Section 42-4-603 addresses instructions from official traffic-control devices, including official hand-signal devices. It recognizes police direction and statutory emergency-vehicle exceptions. The section also addresses device placement and legibility, with presumptions concerning lawful placement and compliance. These conditions do not establish the validity of a particular citation. C.R.S. § 42-4-603

Section 42-4-604 gives steady intersection lights and arrows distinct meanings. A circular green permits specified movements subject to turn prohibitions and yielding to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk. A green arrow concerns the indicated movement and other movements permitted by simultaneous indications; yielding duties remain. Steady yellow warns that the related green movement is ending or red will immediately follow. C.R.S. § 42-4-604(1)(a)-(b)

The circular-red provision contains a stop-and-wait rule with conditional exceptions for right turns and left turns from one one-way street onto another carrying traffic to the driver's left. Those exceptions require stopping and yielding and remain subject to signed prohibitions. A steady red arrow separately prohibits its indicated movement; another simultaneous indication may permit a different movement. The rules cannot be reduced to a single statement that every red indication permits the same turns. C.R.S. § 42-4-604(1)(c)

This comparison concerns ordinary steady intersection signals. Flashing signals, overhead lane-control signals, railroad crossings and malfunctioning signals are separate subjects.

Stop signs, yield signs and ordinary intersections

Section 42-4-703 distinguishes stopping from yielding. Its stop-sign provision requires a stop unless a police officer directs otherwise, followed by yielding to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching closely enough to present an immediate hazard during the crossing. Its yield-sign provision requires slowing reasonably for conditions and stopping when safety requires, followed by the specified yielding duty. A stop alone does not exhaust the stop-sign provision. C.R.S. § 42-4-703(3)-(4)

Section 42-4-701 addresses vehicles approaching or entering an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time: the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right. The statute expressly modifies that rule at through highways and through other specified right-of-way provisions. It is not an unconditional priority rule for every intersection. C.R.S. § 42-4-701

Section 42-4-702 separately addresses intended left turns within intersections or into alleys, private roads or driveways. It concerns yielding to opposite-direction vehicles already within the intersection or close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. C.R.S. § 42-4-702

Vehicle signals are a separate requirement

Section 42-4-903 addresses reasonable safety and appropriate signals for its described turns and directional movements. It also contains provisions concerning signals before stopping or suddenly decreasing speed, with an opportunity-to-signal condition, and the use of vehicle signals for particular purposes. A signal and a right-of-way obligation answer different questions under these provisions. This overview does not address signal-distance calculations or specialized roadway configurations. C.R.S. § 42-4-903

General questions

Does a green light eliminate yielding duties?

No. Section 604 retains duties concerning other lawful intersection and crosswalk users.

Are a circular red light and a red arrow identical?

No. Their statutory provisions differ, including the treatment of turns and other simultaneous indications.

Are stopping and yielding the same requirement?

No. Section 703 distinguishes them, and its stop-sign provision includes a yielding duty after the stop.

Does a turn signal establish priority over another vehicle?

The signaling provision does not replace the separate right-of-way requirements. Giving a signal does not by itself resolve those requirements.

Does this comparison determine a traffic case or crash outcome?

No. It describes selected statutory subjects, without determining an individual violation, license consequence or civil liability.

Related information

Traffic Violations Index · Traffic Tickets · Move-Over Law

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