Governing boards authorized to cede jurisdiction for enforcement of traffic laws
C.R.S. § 23-5-108
in effect23-5-108. Governing boards authorized to cede jurisdiction for enforcement of traffic laws. (1) The governing board of any state institution of higher education is authorized to cede jurisdiction to the town, city, city and county, or county in which the property under the control of the governing board is located for the enforcement of ordinances, resolutions, and laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles, subject to the acceptance of jurisdiction by the respective town, city, city and county, or county.
(2) Upon acceptance of jurisdiction:
(a) The town, city, city and county, or county has authority to enforce the provisions of ordinances, resolutions, or state law pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles on streets or highways within the property under the control of the governing board by means of the police and judicial powers established by resolution, ordinance, or law; except that such jurisdiction shall not conflict with the authority provided in section 23-5-107, as such is exercised by the governing board;
(b) The ordinances and resolutions of the respective local authorities and state laws shall have the same force and effect on the driveways and roadways within the property under the control of the governing board as they have on the streets and highways within the jurisdiction of the local authorities;
(c) The local authorities shall, upon recommendation of the governing board of any state institution of higher education or its designated officer, establish traffic control devices upon the property under the control of such institution, and, upon establishment, the devices shall have the same legal effect as provided in sections 42-4-112 and 42-4-603, C.R.S. The traffic control devices so established shall be installed at the expense of the institution.
(3) Even though jurisdiction is ceded in the manner provided by this section, the authority to establish, close, change, alter, or limit access to the driveways or roadways within the property under the control of a governing board shall vest and remain with such governing board.
(4) The jurisdiction of local authorities to enforce ordinances, resolutions, and laws pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles upon the property under the control of a state institution of higher education shall not be deemed to convey any right, title, or interest in the roadways and driveways of said property, and the jurisdiction over said roadways and driveways shall extend only to enforcement of such ordinances, resolutions, and laws. The state of Colorado reserves the right at all times to revoke the jurisdiction of local authorities granted by this section.
(5) The governing board of any state institution of higher education is authorized to institute and carry out a system of registration of vehicle identification owned or operated by its students, faculty, and staff. By rule or regulation, the governing board may provide for the issuance of suitable vehicle identification insignia, its proper use, and requirements for attachment to the registered vehicle. Authority is also granted to provide for suspension of the registration and penalties, other than criminal penalties, upon suspension including, but not limited to, barring the vehicle from parking or driving on institution property. Reasonable charges may be assessed for registration and reinstatement upon suspension.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-23.docx#23-5-108Fetched: 10/6/2026