Are Colorado Motorcycle Riders Required to Wear a Helmet in 2025?

Motorcycle riders in Colorado enjoy wide-open roads, mountain passes, and a sense of freedom that few other forms of transportation can offer. One of the most common questions riders ask, however, is whether helmets are required under Colorado law. As of 2025, Colorado has a partial helmet law, which means that not all riders are treated the same. Understanding when helmets are required, why they matter, and how helmet use can affect a personal injury claim is critical for every rider in Colorado Springs and beyond.

Colorado’s Helmet Law in 2025

Unlike states that have universal helmet requirements, Colorado gives adult riders more freedom of choice. The rules are straightforward but vary by age:

• Riders under 18: All motorcycle operators and passengers under the age of 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet whenever they are on the road.
• Riders 18 and older: Adults are not legally required to wear a helmet, though they must comply with other safety requirements.
• Eye protection for all ages: Regardless of age, every rider and passenger must wear protective eyewear, such as goggles, glasses, or a helmet visor.

This distinction makes Colorado a partial compliance state. While younger riders are required to wear helmets, adults are allowed to make their own decision about whether or not to use one. Even so, choosing not to wear a helmet can affect more than just safety; it can also influence legal and financial outcomes after a crash.

Why Helmets Are Still Important

Statistics show that helmets save lives. According to studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets reduce the risk of head injury by nearly 70 percent and reduce the risk of death by about 37 percent. Traumatic brain injuries are among the most common and devastating outcomes of motorcycle accidents, and helmets provide essential protection against these life-changing injuries.

For adult riders, wearing a helmet may not be legally required, but it is strongly recommended. Beyond protecting physical health, helmet use can also strengthen an insurance claim by demonstrating that the rider took reasonable steps to protect themselves. Choosing to ride without one, while legal, can complicate injury claims and settlement negotiations.

Comparative Negligence and Colorado Motorcycle Accidents

Colorado uses a modified comparative negligence system for personal injury claims. This means that if you are found partially responsible for your own injuries, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50 percent responsible, you may be barred from recovering any damages at all.

For riders under 18, failing to wear a helmet when required by law can automatically be considered negligent behavior. If that negligence contributed to the severity of injuries, it can reduce the compensation available. For riders 18 and older, the issue is more complicated. Technically, helmet non-use cannot always be introduced in court to prove negligence, but insurance companies may still argue that a lack of helmet use contributed to the seriousness of injuries. This is especially true in head injury cases. These arguments may reduce settlement offers unless they are strongly challenged by an experienced attorney.

How Helmet Use Affects Insurance Claims

After a motorcycle accident, insurance companies carefully examine the circumstances before making settlement offers. While fault for the crash itself may not depend on helmet use, the extent of damages often does. For example, if a rider sustains a head injury while not wearing a helmet, insurers may argue that the injury would have been less severe if the rider had worn one. Even if the law does not require adults to wear helmets, insurers may still use this reasoning to reduce the value of a claim.

By contrast, riders who were wearing helmets at the time of the accident are less vulnerable to these arguments. Their attorneys can point to helmet use as evidence of responsible behavior, making it harder for insurers to shift blame. This difference can significantly impact the size of a settlement or court award.

Other Legal Considerations for Riders

While helmet use is the most discussed issue, riders should also remember that Colorado requires eye protection for everyone on a motorcycle. Failure to comply with this law can result in fines and may also affect liability in an accident claim. In addition, riders should be aware that wearing reflective gear, following speed limits, and avoiding lane-splitting (which is not legal in Colorado) all contribute to stronger safety records and stronger legal positions after a crash.

In wrongful death claims involving motorcycle riders, helmet use can also become a point of contention. Insurance companies often argue that a rider’s choice not to wear a helmet contributed to their death, which can affect how damages are awarded to surviving family members. While this argument does not always succeed in court, it demonstrates why helmet use is not just a safety choice but also a legal one.

Why Legal Help Is Essential After a Motorcycle Accident

Whether or not a rider was wearing a helmet, motorcycle accident claims in Colorado are rarely straightforward. Insurance companies are known for using every available argument to reduce payouts, and helmet use is one of their favorite strategies. Even if you were riding legally, you may find yourself facing unfair blame for your own injuries.

An experienced attorney can make a crucial difference. Lawyers who understand motorcycle accident law in Colorado can challenge weak insurance arguments, highlight the actual cause of the crash, and present compelling evidence to support a full and fair recovery. This includes gathering accident reports, medical records, expert testimony, and eyewitness statements to show that another driver’s negligence, not helmet use, caused the injuries.

At Pribila and Fields, we represent injured riders throughout Colorado Springs and across the state. Our team knows how helmet laws interact with personal injury claims, and we fight to ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve. Whether you were wearing a helmet or not, you should not have to bear the costs of another driver’s negligence alone.

Protecting Your Rights as a Rider

Colorado’s helmet law gives adult riders the freedom to choose, but with that freedom comes responsibility. Helmets save lives and can also help protect the value of your legal claim after a crash. Still, even riders who were not wearing helmets have rights, and those rights deserve protection. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the most important step you can take is to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Colorado Springs, contact us today. We are here to explain your rights, push back against unfair insurance tactics, and fight for the compensation you need to recover. Your safety matters, your rights matter, and we are committed to standing up for both.