Quick answer
Colorado window tint law (C.R.S. 42-4-227) requires at least 27% VLT on the front side windows, the rear side windows and the back window. The windows behind the driver may go darker only if the windshield and front side windows let in at least 70%. The windshield may carry only a non-reflective strip on the top 4 inches, and Colorado has no medical exemption.
What does Colorado's tint law allow on each window?
| Window | Minimum VLT | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | n/a | Non-reflective strip on the top 4 inches only |
| Front side windows | 27% | Both driver and passenger |
| Rear side windows | 27% | Darker only if front sides + windshield allow 70%+ |
| Rear window | 27% | Darker only if front sides + windshield allow 70%+ |
For the full state-by-state legal rundown, see Polar Tint’s Colorado window tint law guide.
Related: ceramic window tint grades inside Colorado’s 27% limit · why Colorado regulates front and rear windows · what 27% VLT looks like · Colorado’s 4-inch windshield strip
Check the current rules
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Does Colorado allow medical tint exemptions?
Colorado's tint statute (C.R.S. 42-4-227) contains no medical-exemption pathway — the 27% VLT limit applies to every driver, and there is no permit to apply for. Some other states do publish a physician-based exemption; Colorado does not. If sunlight is a medical problem for you, we'll install the most protective film that still meets the limit — every grade blocks 99% of UV. Confirm current rules with the Colorado DMV.
What tint does Polar Tint Parker recommend in Colorado?
- The darkest shade that keeps your front sides, rear sides and back window within Colorado law once it's measured with your factory glass: the pairing we recommend for any vehicle
- A lighter 50 or 70 shade on the front and rear side windows: a lighter look for drivers who want heat and UV rejection without a dark appearance (heat rejection comes from the ceramic grade you choose, not only from how dark the shade is)
Call (720) 954-2853 for a Colorado-legal quote on your vehicle.
Related service: car window tint in Parker
FAQs
What is the legal window tint limit in Colorado?
Colorado requires front side windows, rear side windows and the back window to let in at least 27% of light (VLT). The only exception for a non-exempt vehicle: if the front side windows and windshield both allow at least 70% VLT, the windows behind the driver may be darker. The windshield may have only a non-reflective strip on the top 4 inches, and the strip may not be red or amber. This is set under C.R.S. 42-4-227.
How dark can I legally tint the rear window in Colorado?
Only in one situation. Colorado applies the same 27% VLT minimum to the back window as to the side windows. Film darker than 27% — including limo-dark — is legal behind the driver only if the front side windows and windshield both allow at least 70% VLT. On a normally tinted vehicle the back window must still meet 27%.
Does Colorado allow medical exemptions for darker tint?
No. Colorado's tint statute (C.R.S. 42-4-227) contains no medical-exemption pathway — the 27% VLT limit applies to every driver, and there is no permit to apply for. Some other states do publish a physician-based exemption; Colorado does not. If sunlight is a medical problem for you, we'll install the most protective film that still meets the limit — every grade blocks 99% of UV. Confirm current rules with the Colorado DMV.
What tint does Polar Tint Parker recommend?
We recommend the darkest shade that keeps your front sides, rear sides and back window within Colorado law once it's measured with your factory glass, for a clean look. Drivers who want a lighter look can choose a 50 or 70 shade instead; heat rejection comes from the ceramic grade you choose, not only from how dark the shade is. Going darker than 27% behind the driver is legal only on a vehicle whose front side windows and windshield allow at least 70% VLT, so we confirm your glass before quoting that build.
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