Hiking, biking, and trails in Colorado
Mountain bikes and e-bikes on Colorado trails
How to check whether a Colorado trail allows a bike or e-bike, which manager controls the route, and what to settle before riding.
Start with the manager
The land type changes the answer
Colorado state parks
CPW allows Class 1 and 2 e-bikes where nonmotorized biking is allowed. Check the exact park for closures and local directions.
State wildlife areas and state trust lands
CPW allows e-bikes only on designated roads and in camping or parking areas where motor vehicles are allowed.
National forests
The Forest Service manages e-bikes as motor vehicles. Use the local Motor Vehicle Use Map and any route-specific e-bike designation.
BLM land and national parks
An e-bike may use a BLM nonmotorized trail only when a site-specific written decision allows it. In a national park, the superintendent decides which bike routes and e-bike classes are open.
Check the machine and the whole route
- Know whether the bike is Class 1, 2, or 3 and check that class on the exact trail.
- Check the connecting road, gate, parking area, direction, and seasonal schedule too.
- Both traditional bicycles and e-bikes are prohibited in designated Wilderness.
- Mud, snow, fire recovery, and wildlife closures can temporarily change access.
Ride so the next person has time to react
- Control speed where sight lines are short or the trail is busy.
- Yield as posted and announce a pass before reaching the other user.
- Give horses and people on foot enough space to stay calm and steady.
- Stay off closed or muddy trails rather than making the route wider.
Take this with you
Before the wheels roll
- ✓ The route allows your bicycle or exact e-bike class.
- ✓ The trail, road connection, gate, and parking area are open.
- ✓ Helmet, repair kit, water, layers, and offline route are ready.
- ✓ The rider knows the posted direction, speed, and yield rules.
Official sources and review
Check the current rule before you act
These links go to the agencies that control this part of the trip. Use the exact page, license, listing, map, order, or confirmation for your situation.
Use this carefully: Bike and e-bike access varies by manager, route, class, season, and local rule. A COTREX filter or old trip report is not permission. Confirm the current manager page, map, order, and trailhead signs before riding.
Keep going
The other parts of hiking, biking, and trails in colorado
Find the right trail
How to use COTREX, identify the land manager, compare route demands, and confirm parking, permits, and current access.
Altitude and day-hiking safety
A calm plan for thin air, lightning, changing temperatures, navigation, layers, water, and the decision to turn around.
Access, pets, and etiquette
How land managers, private boundaries, permits, seasonal closures, dogs, horses, and posted trail rules fit together.