Colorado road signs and meanings.

Bicycles may use full lane

Tells drivers cyclists are allowed to use the entire traffic lane.

What to do: Expect cyclists in the full lane and pass only with enough clearance.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Do not enter

Entry is prohibited on this roadway.

What to do: Do not drive past this sign in this direction.

Shape: circle · Color: red

HOV lane

Marks the left lane as restricted to high-occupancy vehicles during posted hours.

What to do: Use this lane only if you meet the occupancy requirement during the posted times.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Handbook p. 13 ↗

Lane-use control sign (left, straight, right only)

Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.

What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: white

Lane-use control sign (left turn only, through lanes)

Shows which turns each lane must make ahead.

What to do: Get into the lane matching the turn or direction you want.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Left lane must turn left

Vehicles in the left lane are required to turn left.

What to do: Move out of this lane if you do not intend to turn left.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

No bicycles

Bicycles are not allowed on this roadway.

What to do: Do not ride a bicycle here; use an alternate route.

Shape: square · Color: white

No drinking and driving

Warns against driving after drinking alcohol.

What to do: Never drive after drinking; arrange another way home.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

No right turn

Right turns are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not turn right; continue straight or choose another lane.

Shape: square · Color: white

No U-turn

U-turns are not allowed here.

What to do: Do not turn around; continue straight or use another route.

Shape: square · Color: white

One way

Traffic on this street travels only in one direction.

What to do: Enter and travel only in the direction the arrow points.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Pass 3 feet minimum (bicycle)

Reminds drivers to give cyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.

What to do: Leave a minimum of 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Reserved parking (accessible)

Marks a parking space reserved for drivers with a disability placard or plate.

What to do: Park here only if displaying a valid disability placard or plate.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Speed limit

Shows the maximum legal speed under good conditions.

What to do: Do not drive faster than the posted speed limit.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: white

Stop

Come to a complete stop.

What to do: Stop fully at the line, crosswalk or intersection edge; go only when safe.

Shape: octagon · Color: red

Wrong way

You are driving the wrong way on a one-way road.

What to do: Stop and safely turn around; do not continue forward.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: red

Yield

Slow down and let other traffic or pedestrians go first.

What to do: Slow or stop and yield to cross traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

Shape: triangle · Color: red

Added lane

An additional lane begins ahead without merging.

What to do: Continue in your lane; no need to merge for the new lane.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Be prepared to stop

Warns that traffic ahead may be stopped or stopping soon.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for stopped or slowing traffic ahead.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Curve right

Road curves to the right ahead.

What to do: Slow down and steer smoothly through the right curve.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Deer crossing

Deer may cross the road in this area.

What to do: Slow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn or dusk.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Divided highway begins

Road ahead splits into a divided highway with a median.

What to do: Keep right of the median and stay alert for the lane split ahead.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Flood area (Turn Around Don't Drown)

Warns that the road ahead may flood; do not drive into flood water.

What to do: Turn around and take another route if the road is flooded.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: orange

Left lane ends

The left lane ends ahead and traffic must merge.

What to do: Merge right safely before your lane ends.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Merge

A lane from the side joins your road ahead.

What to do: Adjust speed and merge safely; yield to traffic already in your lane.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

No passing zone

Marks the start of a zone where passing other vehicles is not allowed.

What to do: Do not pass other vehicles while within this zone.

Shape: pennant · Color: yellow

Playground

A playground area is near the road ahead.

What to do: Slow down and watch for children playing near the road.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Reverse curve

Road curves right then left ahead.

What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both curves.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Reverse turn

The road makes a sharp turn one way then the other.

What to do: Slow down and steer carefully through both turns.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Roundabout ahead

A roundabout is ahead where traffic circles counterclockwise.

What to do: Slow down and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Signal ahead

A traffic signal is ahead at the intersection.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop for the signal.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Slippery when wet

Road may be slick from rain, ice or oil.

What to do: Slow down, avoid sudden braking or sharp turns, and increase following distance.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Slow-moving vehicle emblem

Identifies a vehicle that normally travels 25 mph or slower.

What to do: Slow down early and pass only when it is safe to do so.

Shape: triangle · Color: orange

Winding road

The road has several curves ahead.

What to do: Slow down and drive carefully through the series of curves.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Y intersection

The road ahead forks into a Y-shaped intersection.

What to do: Slow down and choose the correct branch of the fork.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

School speed limit when flashing

Shows the reduced school-zone speed limit when the beacon flashes.

What to do: Slow to the posted speed only while the beacon is flashing.

Shape: rectangle vertical · Color: yellow

School zone

You are approaching a school area or crossing.

What to do: Slow down, watch for children, and be ready to stop.

Shape: pentagon · Color: yellow

Railroad crossbuck

Marks a railroad crossing; a train may be near.

What to do: Slow down, look both ways, and stop if a train approaches.

Shape: crossbuck · Color: white

Railroad crossing ahead

Warns that a railroad crossing is ahead.

What to do: Slow down, look and listen for trains before crossing the tracks.

Shape: circle · Color: yellow

Railroad emergency notification sign

Gives a phone number and crossing ID to report railroad problems.

What to do: Call the posted number to report a stalled vehicle or hazard at the crossing.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: blue

Trains may exceed 80 mph

Warns that trains at this crossing can travel faster than 80 mph.

What to do: Never assume a train is moving slowly; always expect a fast-approaching train.

Shape: diamond · Color: yellow

Handbook p. 24 ↗

Barricade

Physical device with orange and white stripes marking a closed road or lane.

What to do: Do not drive past or around a barricade blocking the road or lane.

Shape: other · Color: orange

Flagger ahead

A worker will direct traffic ahead.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop or follow the flagger's directions.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Road work ahead

Construction or maintenance work is ahead on the road.

What to do: Slow down and watch for workers, equipment and lane changes.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Workers ahead

Road workers are working near or in the roadway.

What to do: Slow down and watch for workers and equipment.

Shape: diamond · Color: orange

Destination and distance

Shows the distance in miles to upcoming towns along this route.

What to do: Use the listed distances to plan fuel, rest, or turn timing.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green

Interstate route marker

Identifies the interstate highway you are on.

What to do: Use the marker to confirm your route and navigate.

Shape: shield · Color: blue

Interstate/frontage road direction sign

Shows the route to follow to reach I-70 East or the Frontage Road.

What to do: Move into the lane matching the arrow for your intended route.

Shape: rectangle horizontal · Color: green

Accessible facility

Marks a facility or space accessible to people with disabilities.

What to do: Use as directed; reserve marked accessible spaces for permit holders.

Shape: square · Color: blue

Boat launch (boat ramp)

Indicates a boat launching ramp is available.

What to do: Follow signage if you need to launch a boat; otherwise no action needed.

Shape: square · Color: brown

Recreational area

Marks a winter sports or snow recreation area, such as skiing.

What to do: Watch for signs directing you to the recreation facility ahead.

Shape: square · Color: brown

Green arrow

Protected turn allowed in the arrow's direction.

What to do: Turn in the arrow's direction; oncoming traffic is stopped.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Red arrow

Turn in that direction is prohibited.

What to do: Stop and wait; do not turn until the arrow or light changes.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Steady green light

You may proceed if the way is clear.

What to do: Go, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Steady red light

Stop; you may not proceed.

What to do: Come to a complete stop before the line and wait for green.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Steady yellow light

The light is about to turn red.

What to do: Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise proceed with caution.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Yellow arrow

The protected turn signal is about to end.

What to do: Prepare to stop; complete the turn only if already committed.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Broken white line

Separates lanes going the same direction; passing is permitted.

What to do: You may change lanes when it is safe to do so.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Double solid yellow lines

Separates opposite-direction traffic; passing is prohibited both ways.

What to do: Never cross double solid yellow lines to pass in either direction.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a

Solid and broken yellow lines

A solid yellow line paired with a broken yellow line; passing is allowed only from the side next to the broken line.

What to do: You may pass only if the broken line is on your side; do not pass if the solid line is on your side.

Shape: n/a · Color: n/a