Colorado § 42-4-512 - Liability for damage to highway.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-512 — Liability for damage to highway., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42-4-512. Liability for damage to highway.
(1) No person shall drive, operate, or move upon or over any highway or highway structure any vehicle, object, or contrivance in such a manner so as to cause damage to said highway or highway structure. When the damage sustained to said highway or highway structure is the result of the operating, driving, or moving of such vehicle, object, or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight authorized by sections 42-4-501 to 42-4-512 and 42-4-1407, it shall be no defense to any action, either civil or criminal, brought against such person that the weight of the vehicle was authorized by special permit issued in accordance with sections 42-4-501 to 42-4-512 and 42-4-1407.
(2) Every person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be liable for all damage which said highway or highway structure may sustain as a result thereof. Whenever the driver of such vehicle, object, or contrivance is not the owner thereof but is operating, driving, or moving such vehicle, object, or contrivance with the express or implied consent of the owner thereof, then said owner or driver shall be jointly and severally liable for any such damage. The liability for damage sustained by any such highway or highway structure may be enforced by a civil action by the authorities in control of such highway or highway structure. No satisfaction of such civil liability, however, shall be deemed to be a release or satisfaction of any criminal liability for violation of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
Source: L. 94: Entire title amended with relocations, p. 2339, § 1, effective January 1, 1995.
Editor's note: This section is similar to former § 42-4-411 as it existed prior to 1994, and the former § 42-4-512 was relocated to § 42-4-610.
ANNOTATION
Law reviews. For article, "Interstate Legal Barriers to Transportation in the Trans-Missouri West", see U. Colo. L. Rev. 476 (1966).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 42-4-512
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-512 cover?
Section 42-4-512 ("Liability for damage to highway.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 42-4-512?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-4-512" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 42-4-512 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.