Is Driving Barefoot Illegal in Colorado?
Barefoot driving is perfectly legal in Colorado, but there may be some situations where it’s not always the safest choice.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Driving barefoot in
Colorado
is 100% legal, despite the common belief that it’s against the law. That being said, driving barefoot could potentially pose some safety risks. 
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Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Colorado?
No! Driving barefoot is completely legal in Colorado, and it always has been.
Who knows where it got its origin, but the myths around driving barefoot were officially debunked in the summer of 1994. An enterprising guy with time on his hands named Jason Heimbaugh wrote to all 50 states and the District of Columbia to inquire if driving barefoot was legal in each location. It took a while to get all the responses, but they were one and the same: yes!
That being said, there are a few reports that driving barefoot can be considered reckless or negligent driving if it’s found to have contributed to an accident, so be aware!
And there it is. Driving barefoot is legal in all 50 states. But while Colorado doesn’t have any language in their laws at all that address footwear while driving, there are a few safety issues you should be aware of before you toss your shoes in the back seat.
Is it safe to drive barefoot?
While driving barefoot is not illegal, it may not always be the best idea. Barefoot driving has a reputation for being somewhat unsafe for a few reasons, and there is some truth behind it.
If you’re driving barefoot, it could potentially:
- Decrease the amount of braking force you have
- Give you less traction on the pedals, especially if your feet are wet or slippery
- Cause a distraction (like a stubbed toe or an annoying little pebble in your sole)
- Leave your feet open to serious injury in the event of an accident
On the other hand, if the shoes you are wearing decrease foot mobility or are clumsy to handle (think chunky heels or thick rain boots), then it might be preferable to kick them off before driving.
The bottom line: shoes with a closed toe and a sole that offers good traction are the best choice for driving. But driving barefoot doesn’t break any laws, and may be preferable in some circumstances. If you want to be covered in any scenario, a trusty pair of sneakers is a good addition to your car emergency kit.
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