Can You Legally Sleep in Your Car in Colorado?

When we talk about strange laws in Colorado, we usually focus on the things that are illegal. We rarely get the chance to look at some of the things that may actually be legal in the Centennial State. To be fair, some of those things we don't really need to be reminded of.

Instead of taking a look at what we can't do like we usually do, we're going to try to find out what activities we can do. Today, we're going to find out if it's legal to sleep in your car in the state of Colorado since recent news seems to indicate that we all might be living in them in the not-too-distant future.

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As with most things in life, the answer to the question of whether or not it's legal to sleep in your car is a little bit complicated. There is no federal law that makes it illegal to sleep in your car, except under very specific circumstances, and no state has made it wholly illegal, either. However, that doesn't mean that you can do as you please, because this is one rule that is usually left to the most local of levels.

County and City rules govern most situations related to sleeping in your car. That's why you see signs posted that specifically prohibit sleeping in your vehicle, though you can also find this information online in many cases. So, if you are in an area with clearly posted signage that you can't, you're probably better off looking for another stop.

To the overall question of if it's legal to sleep in your car in Colorado; the short answer is yes, but... While you do have the right to sleep in your car, you don't have to fall afoul of any local rules, either. When in doubt, look for a sign, and for the love of all, make sure it's actually your car you're sleeping in.