Odd Laws Still on the Books
Riding a horse on the left, no sledding on the highway and leaving food for a bear: real Colorado sections
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Who handles this in Colorado: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Colorado directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawA horse on the highway | What it saysPeople riding or leading animals along a highway keep to the left side, facing approaching traffic, unless they are driving a herd. | Breaking itSet by the traffic code |
| The lawSkis and sleds | What it saysNo one may travel a highway on skis, toboggans, sleds or skates, or use a roadway as a sled or ski course. | Breaking itSet by the traffic code |
| The lawFeeding a bear | What it saysKnowingly leaving food or edible waste out where it is reasonably likely to lure a wild bear is a misdemeanor. | Breaking itUp to $200, then $1,000, then $5,000 |
| The lawA dog after wildlife | What it saysLetting a dog harass wildlife is a petty offense, and a wildlife officer may capture or kill a dog harassing wildlife that is not under someone's direct control. | Breaking it$200 |
| The lawBlack bears | What it saysBlack bears may not be taken from March 1 through September 1, or with bait or dogs at any time; voters adopted the rule in 1992. | Breaking itSet by the wildlife statutes |
Many laws that sound strange are city or county ordinances rather than state law; this page covers only the Revised Statutes. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Colorado attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- C.R.S. 42-4-109 — Low-power scooters, animals, skis, skates, and toy vehicles on highways
- C.R.S. 33-6-131 — Luring bears - penalty - definition
- C.R.S. 33-6-128 — Damage or destruction of dens or nests - harassment of wildlife
- C.R.S. 33-4-101.3 — Black bears - declaration of intent - spring season hunting prohibited
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Colorado attorney.