Colorado Drone Laws

Colorado UAS Laws

Note on Federal vs State Laws:

Federal airspace laws take precedence over state drone laws. If a state or local law directly conflicts with FAA regulations, the state or local law is likely to be invalidated. All commercial drone pilots operating in Colorado must adhere to the FAA's Part 107 Rules.

Colorado's statewide drone regulations are targeted at specific activities rather than establishing a comprehensive framework for all UAS operations. The primary state-level rules focus on government use and wildlife interaction.

Statutes/Bills (passed):

Government & Public Safety Use (HB 1070) This legislation required the Colorado Department of Public Safety to perform a study on the integration of UAS within local and state government functions. The study was tasked with identifying best practices for using drones in firefighting, search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and other emergency situations. It also created a pilot program to train and deploy at least one team of UAS operators to a designated fire hazard region in the state.

Hunting and Wildlife (2 CCR 406-0, #004) This regulation from Colorado Parks and Wildlife makes it unlawful to use a drone to look for, scout, or detect wildlife as an aid in hunting or taking wildlife.

• For the purposes of this regulation, a drone is defined as any contrivance invented, used, or designed for unmanned or remotely guided flight in the air, including common terms like “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle” (UAV).

A critical aspect of flying drones in Colorado is that the state does not have a preemption law preventing local governments from creating their own drone rules. As a result, numerous cities, counties, and park districts have enacted their own specific ordinances.

This makes it essential for all drone operators to research and comply with local regulations before flying. For example, many municipalities, such as Denver, have ordinances that prohibit or restrict the operation of drones within city parks without a specific permit. Always check for local rules in your intended area of operation.