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Colorado noise laws: statewide decibel limits, night hours and how to complain
Colorado has statewide decibel limits but no statewide quiet hours. Under C.R.S. 25-12-103, noise in a residential zone above 55 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or 50 dB(A) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured 25 feet or more from the source's property line, is prima facie evidence of a public nuisance. Cities may add quiet hours.
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Colorado has statewide decibel limits
Colorado sets noise limits for the whole state. The Noise Abatement Act of 1971 says "noise is a major source of environmental pollution" and "Noise in excess of the limits provided in this article constitutes a public nuisance" (C.R.S. 25-12-101). Section 25-12-103 sets the limits by zone and time of day. Noise over the limit, measured "at a distance of twenty-five feet or more" from the property line it comes from, "shall constitute prima facie evidence that such noise is a public nuisance": on its face, enough to prove the nuisance unless the other side shows otherwise.
The levels are in dB(A), which the Act defines as "sound levels in decibels measured on the 'A' scale of a standard sound level meter" built to the ANSI S1.4-1971 standard (25-12-102(2)). A residential zone is an area of houses and apartments, and it "includes hospitals, nursing homes, and similar institutional facilities" (25-12-102(6)). Commercial zones include shopping areas, business strips along main streets and downtowns.
| Zone | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. | 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 55 dB(A) | 50 dB(A) |
| Commercial | 60 dB(A) | 55 dB(A) |
| Light industrial | 70 dB(A) | 65 dB(A) |
| Industrial | 80 dB(A) | 75 dB(A) |
By day (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) the limit "may be increased by ten db(A) for a period of not to exceed fifteen minutes in any one-hour period" (25-12-103(2)). "Periodic, impulsive, or shrill noises" count as a nuisance at 5 dB(A) below the table (25-12-103(3)), which means 45 dB(A) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in a residential zone, measured the same way. Any activity must also keep its noise from being "objectionable due to intermittence, beat frequency, or shrillness" (25-12-103(1)).
Meter readings must be taken when the wind "is not more than five miles per hour", and "consideration shall be given to the effect of the ambient noise level" from all other sources (25-12-103(8) and (9)). Construction projects are held to the industrial limits for the period set in their construction permit, or "for a reasonable period of time for completion of project" if the permit sets none, and railroad rights-of-way count as industrial zones (25-12-103(5) and (6)).
What the state limits do not cover
The Act "is not intended to apply to the operation of aircraft or to other activities which are subject to federal law with respect to noise control" (25-12-103(4)). It also does not apply to authorized speed or endurance races during the authorized period or to making or grooming machine-made snow (25-12-103(7) and (10)), and for electric transmission lines of 44 kilovolts or more the Public Utilities Commission decides whether projected noise is reasonable (25-12-103(12)). Qualifying sport shooting ranges have special limits on noise enforcement and lawsuits against them (25-12-109). The snow and event exemptions do not stop a city or county from regulating that noise itself: each says it "shall not be construed to preempt or limit the authority of any political subdivision having jurisdiction to regulate noise abatement" (25-12-103(10) and (11)).
Events are the exemption people argue about. Subsection 25-12-103(11) exempts "the use of property by this state, any political subdivision of this state, or any other entity not organized for profit", and "any of their lessees, licensees, or permittees", for "cultural, entertainment, athletic, or patriotic events, including, but not limited to, concerts, music festivals, and fireworks displays". In Hobbs v. City of Salida (2025 CO 50, September 8, 2025), the Colorado Supreme Court held that the City of Salida's "amplified sound permits" could not excuse a private bar's patio concerts: a lessee, licensee or permittee is exempt "only when they're associated with a primary entity's use of property to hold a qualifying event." A bill to restore local permits, SB26-098, was postponed indefinitely in a House committee on April 14, 2026, and did not become law.
Disturbing the peace, loud exhaust and other state laws
These state laws apply everywhere in Colorado, on top of any city or county ordinance. Read on November 11, 2026 from the Colorado Revised Statutes.
| Law | What it covers | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| C.R.S. 18-9-106(1)(c), disorderly conduct | Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly making "unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy" | Petty offense: a fine of up to $300, up to 10 days in jail, or both; a class 2 misdemeanor if meant to disrupt a funeral |
| C.R.S. 42-4-225(1), mufflers | Every registered vehicle on a highway needs "an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise", with no cut-off or bypass, and no exhaust change that makes it louder than the original muffler. Electric vehicles are exempt | Class B traffic infraction (the state schedule sets a $15 penalty plus a $6 surcharge) |
| C.R.S. 42-4-225(1.5), commercial vehicles | A commercial vehicle with an engine compression brake must have a muffler. From July 1, 2027, every commercial vehicle with a combustion engine (farm vehicles aside) must have a muffler that can be inspected, or papers in the vehicle showing one was installed | $500 fine; $1,000 from July 1, 2027 |
| C.R.S. 25-12-110, off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles | Off-highway vehicles: 99 dB(A) if made before January 1, 1998, 96 dB(A) after, on the SAE J1287 stationary test. Snowmobiles: 90 dB(A) if made from July 1, 1972 to July 2, 1975, 88 dB(A) after, on SAE J2567 | Civil infraction (up to $100) |
We found no Colorado statute that limits car stereo volume. Section 25-12-107 lets counties and cities limit a vehicle's total noise, read on the "A" scale 50 feet from the center of the lane of travel (the section sets no hours): for vehicles of 6,000 pounds or more and motorcycles other than low-power scooters, 86 dB(A) (88 dB(A) if made before 1973) where the speed limit is 35 mph or less, and 90 dB(A) where it is over 35 and under 55 mph. Car stereos are left to city and county ordinances. The commercial vehicle change comes from HB25-1039, signed May 15, 2025; the disorderly conduct penalty is set by C.R.S. 18-1.3-503 for offenses since March 1, 2022.
The Act does not limit the authority of cities and counties "to adopt standards that are no less restrictive" than its own (25-12-108), and in Hobbs a city's permit could not excuse a private bar's noise over the state limits. Cities and counties may not set stricter rules for off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles or electric transmission lines (25-12-110(6) and 25-12-103(12)).
Quiet hours in Colorado cities
Quiet hours in Colorado are set city by city and county by county. These are the places we cover, each from its own code; a place added in the last few weeks is listed without a link while we measure how its page is found.
| City or county | Quiet hours |
|---|---|
| Aurora | 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. (45 dBA at homes); disturbing loudspeakers 10 p.m. – 7 a.m. |
| Colorado Springs | 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. (50 dBA residential); construction held to industrial levels |
| Denver | 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. |
| Fort Collins | 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. (lower dB limits; construction and lawn tools lose their exemption) |
| Lakewood | 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. (construction, power tools, trash trucks); amplified sound from 10 p.m. |
How to make a noise complaint in Colorado
The Noise Abatement Act gives no state agency the job of taking residents' noise complaints. For a party, a barking dog or a loud neighbor, call your police department's non-emergency line, or your city's code enforcement or environmental health office. Police enforce the state disorderly conduct law and, with those offices, the city's noise ordinance. Call 911 only for an emergency.
If noise over the state limits keeps going, the Act lets "any county or resident of the state" sue in the district court where the noise is, "to abate and prevent such nuisance" (25-12-104). The Supreme Court describes this as "a private right of action on Colorado residents to enforce the statewide standards", and nearby property owners used it in Freed v. Bonfire Entertainment (2024 COA 65) to sue a music festival's promoters. The court can order the noise to stop; breaking the order is contempt, with a fine of $100 to $2,000, and each day is a separate offense (25-12-105). A county cannot bring this case over, among other things, a commercial activity or commercial use of property, farming or ranching, avalanche control, a utility, or a mining or oil and gas operation; that bar names counties only, not residents.
Keep a record. The state limits are read in dB(A), 25 feet or more from the property line, in wind of 5 mph or less. The free online decibel meter runs in your browser and records nothing; it is an uncalibrated estimate of about ±10 dB, enough to show 50 against 70 but not the standard sound level meter the Act describes. Turn A-weighting on (dBA vs dBC) and note the time, place and session average. A dated log of repeated noise is what police, a city inspector or a judge will ask for; the noise complaints guide covers what to log.
Sources
Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 (Office of Legislative Legal Services, uncertified printout): Title 25, Article 12, Noise Abatement, ss 25-12-101 to 25-12-110; s 18-9-106 (disorderly conduct) and s 18-1.3-503 (petty offenses and civil infractions); s 42-4-225 (mufflers) and the s 42-4-1701 penalty schedule. HB25-1039, Commercial Vehicle Muffler Requirements, signed act (signed May 15, 2025, effective July 1, 2027), and SB26-098, State & Local Noise Abatement Authority (postponed indefinitely April 14, 2026), Colorado General Assembly bill pages. Hobbs v. City of Salida, 2025 CO 50 (Colorado Supreme Court, September 8, 2025); Freed v. Bonfire Entertainment LLC, 2024 COA 65 (Colorado Court of Appeals, June 20, 2024); Colorado Jury Instructions, Criminal (2025), instruction 9-1:11, published February 25, 2026; Colorado Municipal League, "Legal Corner: State noise limits apply to local amplified noise permits". All read on November 11, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary of state law, not legal advice; your city or county may have stricter rules.
Is there a statewide noise ordinance in Colorado?
Yes. The Noise Abatement Act, C.R.S. 25-12-101 to 25-12-110, sets limits for the whole state. In residential zones, noise above 55 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 50 dB(A) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured 25 feet or more from the source's property line, is prima facie evidence of a public nuisance. Cities and counties may adopt standards that are "no less restrictive".
What are quiet hours in Colorado?
Colorado has no statewide quiet hours. What state law has is lower night limits from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured 25 feet or more from the source's property line: 50 dB(A) in residential zones (55 by day), 55 dB(A) in commercial zones (60 by day), 65 dB(A) in light industrial zones and 75 dB(A) in industrial zones. Cities and counties may set their own quiet hours; see the city table above.
How loud is too loud under Colorado law?
In a residential zone, over 55 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 50 dB(A) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., measured 25 feet or more from the source's property line, is prima facie evidence of a public nuisance. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the level may go 10 dB(A) higher for up to 15 minutes in any hour. Periodic, impulsive or shrill noises count at 5 dB(A) less. Commercial zones allow 60 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 55 dB(A) from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Can police ticket loud exhaust or a car stereo in Colorado?
Loud exhaust, yes: C.R.S. 42-4-225 requires a muffler that prevents "excessive or unusual noise" and bans exhaust changes that make a vehicle louder than its original muffler. It is a class B traffic infraction. We found no Colorado statute on car stereo volume, so a stereo ticket depends on the city or county ordinance, or on the disorderly conduct law for "unreasonable noise".
Can a Colorado city allow a concert louder than the state limits?
Only in narrow cases. The Act exempts cultural, entertainment, athletic and patriotic events on property used by the state, a local government or a nonprofit. In Hobbs v. City of Salida (2025), the Colorado Supreme Court held that a city's permit could not excuse a private bar's concerts that were not tied to such a use.
