Colorado Code § 42-4-224

Horns or warning devices - definition
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(1) Every motor vehicle, when
operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of
emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred
feet, but no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound, except
as provided in section 42-4-213 (1) in the case of authorized emergency vehicles or as provided
in section 42-4-222. The driver of a motor vehicle, when reasonably necessary to ensure safe
operation, shall give audible warning with the horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when
upon a highway.
(2) No vehicle shall be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a vehicle any
audible device except as otherwise permitted in this section. It is permissible but not required
that any vehicle be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which is so arranged that it cannot
be used by the driver as a warning signal unless the alarm device is a required part of the vehicle.
Nothing in this section is meant to preclude the use of audible warning devices that are activated
when the vehicle is backing. Any authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with an
audible signal device under section 42-4-213 (1), but such device shall not be used except when
such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or in the actual pursuit of a suspected
violator of the law or for other special purposes, including, but not limited to, funerals, parades,
and the escorting of dignitaries. Such device shall not be used for such special purposes unless
the circumstances would not lead a reasonable person to believe that such vehicle is responding
to an actual emergency.
(3) A bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric scooter, or low-power scooter shall not
be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, electric
scooter, or low-power scooter, a siren or whistle.
(4) Snowplows and other snow-removal equipment shall display flashing yellow lights
meeting the requirements of section 42-4-214 as a warning to drivers when such equipment is in
service on the highway.
(5) (a) When any snowplow or other snow-removal equipment displaying flashing
yellow lights is engaged in snow and ice removal or control, drivers of all other vehicles shall
exercise more than ordinary care and caution in approaching, overtaking, or passing such
snowplow.
(b) The driver of a snowplow, while engaged in the removal or control of snow and ice
on any highway open to traffic and while displaying the required flashing yellow warning lights
as provided by section 42-4-214, shall not be charged with any violation of the provisions of this
article relating to parking or standing, turning, backing, or yielding the right-of-way. These
exemptions shall not relieve the driver of a snowplow from the duty to drive with due regard for
the safety of all persons, nor shall these exemptions protect the driver of a snowplow from the
consequences of a reckless or careless disregard for the safety of others.
(6) (a) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic
infraction; except that a person commits a class A traffic infraction if the person passes an
authorized service vehicle snowplow that is operated by a state, county, or local government,
displaying lights as authorized in section 42-4-214, and performing its service function in
echelon formation with one or more other such snowplows.
(b) As used in this subsection (6), unless the context otherwise requires, "echelon
formation" means a formation in which snowplows are arranged diagonally, with each unit
stationed behind and to the right, or behind and to the left, of the unit ahead.

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