Colorado Window Tint Laws

A mile closer to the sun, Colorado UV is brutal on interiors and paint alike. The state allows 27% all around — darker than its neighbors — but note there is no medical exemption here, so the printed number is the law.

Reviewed July 2026 · Passenger cars (sedans)

Legal tint limits in Colorado

GlassRule for passenger cars
WindshieldNon-reflective tint on the top 4 inches only.
Front side windows27% VLT or lighter
Back side windows27% VLT or lighter
Rear window27% VLT or lighter
ReflectivityNo metallic or mirrored appearance.
Medical exemptionNot offered

What VLT means (and how police check it)

VLT — Visible Light Transmission — is the percentage of outside light that makes it through your glass. The number printed in the law is a floor: film may be that bright or brighter. Because factory glass already blocks a little light, an officer's meter reads the combineddarkness of glass plus film. A film sold as "27%" on top of factory glass can meter a few points darker — which is why professional installers measure the final result, not the box label.

Quality matters as much as darkness. Dyed films fade purple and bubble; ceramic films like ULTRASHIELD SHADOW reject heat and up to 99% of UV at any legal darkness, with no signal interference — so you get the comfort without gambling on the number.

Colorado tint FAQ

What is the darkest legal tint in Colorado?+
On front side windows, film must let at least 27% of light through (27% VLT). Back side windows may go to 27% VLT.
Can I tint my windshield in Colorado?+
Non-reflective tint on the top 4 inches only.
Does Colorado allow medical exemptions for darker tint?+
No. Colorado does not currently offer a medical exemption, so the standard limits apply to every driver.
Is ceramic tint legal in Colorado?+
Yes — the law regulates darkness (VLT) and reflectivity, not film technology. A ceramic film at a legal VLT is fully compliant, and it rejects far more heat than dyed film at the same darkness, which is why installers recommend it.
Are mirrored or reflective films legal in Colorado?+
Colorado restricts reflectivity: No metallic or mirrored appearance.

Get it installed right in Colorado

ULTRASHIELD certified installers measure the finished VLT, use nano-ceramic SHADOW film, and register your warranty with CARFAX.

Own a shop in Colorado? There's no certified ULTRASHIELD installer here yet — be the first. Apply to join the network →

This page summarizes Colorado statute as published and was last reviewed July 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws change and local enforcement varies — confirm current rules with the Colorado DMV before tinting.