Drive Motorcycle Written Permission

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REREVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the Second House
LLS NO. 26-0601.01 Jery Payne x2157 HOUSE BILL 26-1079
House Committees Senate Committees
Transportation, Housing & Local Government Transportation & Energy
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING A REQUIREMENT THAT A MINOR HAVE WRITTEN101
PERMISSION TO OBTAIN AN INSTRUCTION PERMIT TO DRIVE A102
MOTORCYCLE.103
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill requires a minor to have written permission of the minor's
parent or legal guardian to obtain an instruction permit to drive a
motorcycle. The bill does not apply to foster children or emancipated
minors.
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 7, 2026
SENATE
2nd Reading Unamended
April 6, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 3rd Reading
March 13, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 12, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Bradley and Boesenecker, Bacon, Barron, Bottoms, Bradfield, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell,
Camacho, Carter, Clifford, De Graaf, Duran, English, Espenoza, Feret, Flanell, Froelich,
Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Goldstei n, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson,
Johnson, Joseph, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Luck, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Martinez, Mauro,
McCluskie, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Richardson, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota,
Slaugh, Smith, Soper, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Suckla, Taggart, Titone, Valdez,
Velasco, Weinberg, Willford, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog, Zokaie
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Bright, Coleman, Cutter, Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Marchman, Roberts
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Short title. The short title of this act is the "Cole2
Bradley Act".3
SECTION 2. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly4
finds and declares that:5
(a) Motorcycles inherently provide significantly less occupant6
protection than passenger motor vehicles, leaving operators and7
passengers fully exposed to impact forces in the event of a crash, loss of8
control, or roadway hazard;9
(b) In 2024, th e state of Colorado recorded 165 motorcycle10
fatalities, which is the highest number of motorcycle deaths in state11
history and represents a 57% increase since 2015;12
(c) In 2024, motorcycle fatalities accounted for approximately13
24% of all traffic fatalities in Colorado, despite motorcycles comprising14
only approximately 3% of registered vehicles statewide, demonstrating15
a disproportionate risk of death associated with motorcycle operation;16
(d) State crash data for 2024 indicate that approximately 80% of17
motorcycle crashes resulted in injury, with injuries frequently involving18
traumatic brain injury, spinal trauma, or permanent disability;19
(e) Minors are particularly vulnerable to motorcycle-related20
injuries and fatalities due to ongoing physical, neurological, and cognitive21
development, including limitations in hazard recognition, risk assessment,22
judgment, and reaction time;23
(f) Colorado law currently recognizes the heightened vulnerability24
of minors by requiring helmet use for motorcycle operators and25
passengers under 18 years old; however, protective equipment alone does26
1079-2-
not sufficiently mitigate the inherent risks of motorcycle operation by1
minors;2
(g) A substantial number of motorcycle fatalities in Colorado3
involve riders not wearing helmets, and, even when helmets are worn,4
minors remain at elevated risk due to the absence of structural protections5
on motorcycles;6
(h) Colorado's high-speed roadways, mountainous terrain, variable7
weather conditions, and increasing traffic congestion further increase the8
dangers associated with motorcycle operation, particularly for young and9
inexperienced riders;10
(i) Permitting minors to obtain motorcycle endorsements or11
operate motorcycles based solely on consent from any individual over 2112
years old does not adequately ensure responsible oversight, informed13
decision-making, or appropriate evaluation of a minor's readiness to14
safely operate a motorcycle;15
(j) Requiring parental or legal guardian consent:16
(I) Provides a higher level of accountability;17
(II) Aligns motorcycle endorsement requirements with Colorado's18
existing youth safety frameworks; and19
(III) Helps ensure that minors receive appropriate training,20
supervision, and assessment prior to operating motorcycles on public21
roadways;22
(k) Motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities involving minors23
impose significant emotional and financial burdens on families and24
substantial costs to the state through emergency medical response,25
long-term medical care, rehabilitation, and disability support services; and26
(l) The state of Colorado has a compelling interest in protecting27
1079-3-
the health, safety, and welfare of minors and, in high-risk activities, has1
long exercised its authority to impose age-based safety requirements,2
including graduated driver licensing systems and child passenger safety3
laws.4
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is necessary5
and appropriate to enact legislation regulating motorcycle operation and6
endorsement eligibility involving minors, including consent and training7
requirements, in order to protect Colorado's youth.8
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-2-106 as it will9
become effective April 1, 2026, add (1)(f) as follows:10
42-2-106. Instruction permits and temporary licenses -11
penalty.12
(1) (f) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS SECTION,13
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT ISSUE AN INSTRUCTION PERMIT TO A MINOR14
WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD TO DRIVE A MOTORCYCLE UNLESS15
THE MINOR HAS WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE MINOR'S PARENT OR LEGAL16
GUARDIAN TO DRIVE A MOTORCYCLE . THE WRITTEN PERMISSION17
REQUIREMENT IN THIS SUBSECTION (1)(f) DOES NOT APPLY TO AN18
EMANCIPATED MINOR.19
SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date -20
applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following21
the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the22
general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13,23
2026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 124
(3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section,25
or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part26
will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election27
1079-4-
to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the1
date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.2
(2) This act applies to applications for instruction permits3
submitted on or after the applicable effective date of this act.4
1079-5-