Verified
Colorado Trailer Brake Laws 2026: Required Over 3,000 lb
Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-223 requires every trailer or semitrailer of 3,000 lb or more gross weight to have brakes on all wheels. Colorado State Patrol regulations separately address surge-brake use.
- Brake threshold
- 3,000lbgross weight
- Breakaway switch
- Required
- Safety chains
- Required
- Towing speed
- Posted limits
- Double towing
- Not recorded
On this page8 sections
Quick answer: 3,000 lb gross weight
In Colorado, trailer brakes are currently listed at 3,000 lb (gross weight). Colorado measures gross weight, so weigh the trailer as you actually tow it.
Colorado trailer equipment rules
Breakaway switch
Every trailer or semitrailer of 3,000 lb gross weight or more must have brakes applied by the towing driver from the cab, designed so that on an accidental breakaway the brakes are automatically applied. Certain farm and fertilizer trailers are exempt.
- Applies when
- Trailer type and weight may matter
- Source
- C.R.S. 42-4-223(1)(c)
- Last checked
- 2026-08-21
Safety chains
In addition to the drawbar, safety chains or cables must be arranged so it is impossible for the towed vehicle to break loose if the drawbar breaks, loosens or is damaged. Semitrailers connected by a proper fifth wheel are exempt.
- Applies when
- Conventional trailer couplings
- Source
- C.R.S. 42-4-506(3)
- Last checked
- 2026-08-21
Speed / lane rule
No towing-specific speed limit; follow posted limits. Limits are set by road type with no trailer category, subject to the statewide 75 mph maximum.
- Applies when
- Posted roads and vehicle combinations
- Source
- C.R.S. 42-4-1101
- Last checked
- 2026-08-21
Double towing
Needs verification with Colorado Revised Statutes.
- Applies when
- Multiple-trailer combinations
- Source
- Verified
- Last checked
- 2026-07-13
Read against the linked sources on . Statutes change and enforcement varies by trailer type — confirm before you tow.
Check your setup
How the 3,000 lb threshold applies to three trailers
Colorado measures gross weight, so the weight of the trailer as loaded is what counts.
| Example trailer | Weight checked | Against 3,000 lb |
|---|---|---|
| Small utility trailer | 1,650 lb | Under the Colorado threshold by 1,350 lb |
| Loaded just under the line | 2,900 lb | Inside the Colorado limit, but one heavy load away from crossing it |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 4,800 lb | Over the Colorado threshold by 1,800 lb — brakes required |
How Colorado compares with neighbouring states
None of the 7 states bordering Colorado set a stricter numeric brake threshold in this dataset, but bases and equipment rules still differ — check each state page before a trip.
| Bordering state | Brake threshold | Compared with Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3,000 lb gross weight | Same threshold |
| Kansas | verified stopping-distance performance rule | Different rule type — compare directly |
| Nebraska | 3,000 lb gross weight | Same threshold |
| New Mexico | 3,000 lb gross weight | Same threshold |
| Oklahoma | 3,000 lb gross weight | Same threshold |
| Utah | verified stopping-distance performance rule | Different rule type — compare directly |
| Wyoming | verified stopping-distance performance rule | Different rule type — compare directly |
Planning a multi-state trip? The route brake law checker compares every state on a route at once.
Official source links
- Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42 PDF statute
- Colorado State Patrol surge brake regulations public-safety
- Colorado DOT dot
Colorado towing law FAQ
Are trailer brakes required in Colorado?
Colorado currently lists a trailer brake threshold at 3,000 lb gross weight. Always verify the official state source before towing.
What weight requires trailer brakes in Colorado?
The current data lists 3,000 lb gross weight as the brake threshold.
Is a breakaway switch required in Colorado?
Every trailer or semitrailer of 3,000 lb gross weight or more must have brakes applied by the towing driver from the cab, designed so that on an accidental breakaway the brakes are automatically applied. Certain farm and fertilizer trailers are exempt. (C.R.S. 42-4-223(1)(c))
Are safety chains required in Colorado?
In addition to the drawbar, safety chains or cables must be arranged so it is impossible for the towed vehicle to break loose if the drawbar breaks, loosens or is damaged. Semitrailers connected by a proper fifth wheel are exempt. (C.R.S. 42-4-506(3))
Can I tow two trailers in Colorado?
Needs verification with Colorado Revised Statutes.
Is there a towing speed limit in Colorado?
No towing-specific speed limit; follow posted limits. Limits are set by road type with no trailer category, subject to the statewide 75 mph maximum. (C.R.S. 42-4-1101)
Does Colorado measure trailer weight as GVWR or actual weight?
Colorado uses gross weight, so weigh the trailer as you actually tow it rather than reading the data plate.
Where can I verify Colorado towing laws?
Start with the 3 official sources linked on this page, beginning with Colorado Revised Statutes Title 42 PDF. Prefer state DOT, DMV, legislature, or public-safety pages over summaries from private websites. This page was last checked on 2026-07-13.
Disclaimer: educational summary, not legal advice. Statutes and enforcement practice change — verify the Colorado sources linked above before towing.