Do Colorado Cops Care About Tint? The Real Rules for Window Tinting in 2026

Ever rolled down your windows in Colorado and wondered if the cop behind you is already writing your ticket for tint? You’re not alone. Thousands of drivers in Denver, Colorado Springs, and even small towns like Aspen get pulled over each year-not for speeding, not for broken lights, but for window tint that’s just a little too dark. The truth? Colorado cops do care about tint. And if you don’t know the law, you’re rolling the dice every time you drive.

What the Law Actually Says

Colorado’s window tint rules aren’t complicated, but they’re strict. The state allows a 70% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) on the front side windows. That means at least 70% of outside light must pass through the glass. No exceptions. Not for SUVs. Not for trucks. Not even if your tint says “medical exemption” on it.

The rear windows and back windshield? You can go darker-down to 20% VLT. But here’s the catch: if you have tint on the rear windows, you must have dual side mirrors. No mirrors? That’s a violation, even if your tint is legal.

Front windshield tint? Only a non-reflective strip is allowed, and it can’t go below the AS-1 line-the top 5 inches of the windshield. Anything lower and you’re breaking the law.

Why Cops Pull You Over for Tint

It’s not about style. It’s about safety-and enforcement.

Colorado police use tint as a tool. Dark tint hides what’s inside the car. That makes it harder to see if someone’s armed, if there’s a child locked in the back, or if the driver looks impaired. Cops know that vehicles with illegally tinted windows are statistically more likely to be involved in crimes or traffic violations.

According to the Colorado State Patrol’s 2025 annual report, tint violations accounted for over 1,800 traffic stops last year. That’s more than speeding tickets in some rural counties. Officers don’t need a reason beyond “visible violation” to pull you over. If your tint looks too dark from the outside, they can-and will-stop you.

What Happens When You Get Pulled Over

Most drivers assume they’ll get a warning. That’s not how it works.

If an officer confirms your tint is below 70% VLT on the front windows, you’ll get a citation. The fine? $50 to $100 for a first offense. But here’s what most people don’t realize: the ticket isn’t the end. You’re also required to remove or fix the tint within 30 days. If you don’t, you can be pulled over again-for the same violation. Repeat offenses can jump to $200 and even lead to a vehicle impound.

Some drivers try to argue. “My tint is factory installed.” “I bought the car this way.” “My cousin’s cousin works at the DMV and said it’s fine.” None of that matters. The law doesn’t care about your story. It only cares about the VLT reading.

How Tint Is Measured

Officers don’t guess. They use a tint meter-a small handheld device that shines light through the glass and measures how much passes through. These tools are calibrated, certified, and regularly tested. They’re accurate to within 1%.

Some drivers think they can fool the meter with a phone app. They can’t. Apps like “Tint Checker” or “Window Tint Meter” are unreliable. They use the phone’s camera and ambient light, which varies wildly. One study by the Colorado Department of Transportation tested 120 phone apps in 2024. Only 3% were within 5% of the actual VLT reading. The rest were off by 15% or more.

Don’t rely on apps. If you want to know your tint level, go to a professional installer. Most reputable shops have a tint meter and will test it for free before they install anything.

Medical Exemptions: The Myth

There’s a rumor that if you have a medical condition-like lupus, severe sun sensitivity, or skin cancer-you can get a medical exemption for darker tint. It’s tempting. It sounds fair. But it’s not true in Colorado.

Unlike states like Texas or Florida, Colorado does not recognize medical exemptions for window tint. No doctor’s note, no prescription, no letter from your dermatologist will change the law. You can’t legally tint your front windows darker, no matter your health.

Some people try to use out-of-state medical exemptions. That doesn’t work either. Colorado law applies to every vehicle registered or driven in the state, regardless of where the tint was installed or why.

What About Factory Tint?

Many new cars come with factory-tinted windows. That doesn’t mean they’re legal.

Factory tint is measured from the glass itself, not the added film. If your car’s glass has a 35% VLT, it’s illegal in Colorado-even if the manufacturer put it there. You can’t blame the car company. The law holds the driver responsible.

Some manufacturers, like Tesla and BMW, offer factory tint that’s already compliant. But most sedans, SUVs, and trucks from 2020 to 2025 have tint that’s too dark. Check your owner’s manual or ask the dealership for the VLT rating. If they don’t know, assume it’s illegal.

What’s the Best Way to Stay Legal?

There are only two ways to avoid a ticket:

1. Install tint that’s 70% VLT or higher on the front side windows.
2. Don’t install any tint on the front windows at all.

Some people think “light tint” is safe. It’s not. Even 50% VLT is too dark. You need 70% or more. That’s roughly the same as clear glass with a faint, barely noticeable film. It won’t look dark. It won’t look like “tint” at all. But it’s legal.

If you want privacy or heat reduction, consider ceramic film. It blocks 99% of UV rays and 60% of infrared heat without reducing visible light. You get protection without breaking the law.

What If You Already Have Illegal Tint?

Take it off. Now.

Don’t wait for a ticket. Don’t hope no cop notices. Don’t rely on “I’ve driven like this for years.” Colorado has over 1,200 state troopers and 400+ county sheriffs. They’re trained to spot tint. And they’re not looking for an excuse-they’re looking for violations.

Removing tint is cheap. A professional removal costs between $50 and $100. DIY kits are $20 and take a weekend. You’ll save hundreds in fines, court fees, and potential impound costs.

And if you’re planning to sell your car? Buyers hate illegal tint. It’s a red flag. It makes them think you cut corners. It lowers resale value. Clean windows? That’s a selling point.

Real-Life Example: What Went Wrong

Last summer, a driver in Fort Collins got pulled over after a neighbor reported “a blacked-out SUV.” The officer used a tint meter. Front windows: 42% VLT. He was issued a $85 ticket. He tried to argue he’d had the tint for three years. He showed the receipt from a shop in Kansas City. The officer didn’t care. He gave him 30 days to fix it.

He didn’t fix it. Two weeks later, he was pulled over again-for the same thing. This time, the officer impounded the vehicle. The storage fee? $120. The re-inspection fee? $50. The court cost? Another $75. Total: $330. And he still had to remove the tint.

He lost a week of work. He missed his kid’s soccer game. All because he thought “it’s just tint.”

Bottom Line: It’s Not Worth the Risk

Colorado cops care about tint because it’s a safety issue. And they’re not bluffing. The fines are real. The impounds happen. The tickets pile up.

If you want to keep your car, your wallet, and your peace of mind-stick to 70% VLT or higher on the front windows. Skip the dark tint. Skip the myths. Skip the excuses.

Clear glass isn’t boring. It’s smart.