Colorado’s New School Bus Stopping Law

Ensuring the safety of children traveling to and from school has always been a priority in Colorado. Yet despite the unmistakable flashing red lights and stop arms on school buses, far too many drivers have continued to ignore these signals, putting young lives at risk. The result has been a disturbing trend of near-misses, collisions, and heartbreaking injuries. On May 24, 2025, Colorado’s new school bus stopping law officially went into effect. This important update to school transportation laws imposes stricter requirements on all drivers who encounter a school bus that has stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

In response to this urgent problem, Colorado lawmakers enacted a new school bus stopping law, effective May 24, 2025, designed to strengthen child pedestrian safety and eliminate confusion that had existed under the old rules. This legislative update may seem like a simple traffic adjustment, but from the perspective of a personal injury attorney, it represents a significant step forward in protecting the state’s most vulnerable pedestrians—our children.

Why the New Law Was Needed

Each school day, more than 25 million children nationwide ride a school bus to and from school. According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, an estimated over 67,000 drivers illegally pass school buses in a single day across the United States. That translates to more than 17 million violations in a school year. Behind every violation is the potential for disaster: a child stepping off the curb, a distracted driver glancing at a phone, and a family forever changed.

Colorado has not been immune. Last year, Colorado school bus drivers reported nearly 350 stop-arm violations in a single day. In Colorado Springs, a single district recorded 24 violations in just one day. Even more concerning, the Colorado Department of Education has reported five accidents in the past five years tied directly to illegal passing of school buses, including at least one involving injuries. These numbers reflect not isolated mistakes but a systemic problem requiring stronger laws and stricter enforcement.

The previous law left room for confusion, particularly on multi-lane roads divided by nothing more than painted lines. Many drivers mistakenly believed they were permitted to keep driving if they were on the opposite side of the street. That misunderstanding created dangerous scenarios where children crossing the road after leaving the bus were suddenly in the path of oncoming traffic. The new law closes this loophole once and for all.

The Purpose of the new School Bus Law

School buses are designed with flashing lights and stop arms to signal when children are boarding or exiting. But despite these warnings, many drivers have misunderstood the law—particularly on multi-lane roads divided only by painted medians or lines. Too often, motorists incorrectly assumed they could continue driving if they were traveling in the opposite direction.

The new legislation was introduced in response to increasing reports of drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. Each time a driver ignores a stopped bus, children are put at risk of catastrophic injury or death. Colorado lawmakers recognized that the previous school transportation laws were not strong enough to protect students. By tightening the rules and clarifying driver responsibilities, the state is prioritizing child pedestrian safety in Colorado.

Key Provisions of the new School Bus Law

The Colorado school bus law makes several crucial updates every driver must understand.

Stopping Requirements: When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, all drivers—regardless of the direction of travel—must stop at least 20 feet away from the bus until (1) the bus’s red lights stop flashing, (2) the stop arm is fully retracted, and (3) the bus resumes motion.

Physical Barriers vs. Painted Markings: Under the previous version of the law, some drivers believed they could continue past a stopped bus if the road had a painted line or median dividing opposing traffic. The new law eliminates this exception. Now, only a physical barrier—such as a raised median or concrete divider—permits traffic in the opposite direction to continue driving. Painted medians, double yellow lines, or turn lanes are no longer sufficient.

Applicability: The new rule applies to all public roadways in Colorado, including (1) city streets, (2) suburban neighborhoods, and (3) rural highways. This uniformity removes confusion and ensures that stopped bus violations are more easily enforced.

Why the New Law Was Necessary

The primary purpose of this legislative update is to protect children. Each school day, thousands of students in Colorado rely on buses for safe transportation. For many, the most dangerous part of the trip is not the ride itself, but crossing the street to get on or off the bus.

Safety Statistics

• Studies show that drivers illegally pass stopped school buses more often than many realize. In fact, nationwide surveys indicate tens of thousands of violations occur daily across the United States.
• In Colorado, school districts have reported alarming numbers of drivers ignoring stop arms, particularly in high-traffic areas.
• Children between ages 5 and 10 are among the most vulnerable to pedestrian accidents, making child pedestrian safety in Colorado a top priority for legislators.

By clarifying that only a physical barrier creates an exception, the state reduces ambiguity and strengthens enforcement. Drivers now have a clear, simple rule to follow: if the bus has flashing red lights and its stop arm is out, stop—no matter what. According to Colorado Sports Leadership Academy, Lisa Cyr, the Transportation Coordinator for Westminster Public Schools, spoke about the new law, stating “It’s really important for drivers to follow this common-sense rule of the road. It’s so easy for kids to dart into traffic without looking or assuming that drivers are stopping in both directions.”

Penalties for Stopped Bus Violations

Ignoring the Colorado school bus law carries serious consequences. Law enforcement officers have the authority to issue citations to drivers who fail to comply.

• Fines: Monetary penalties can be significant, especially for repeat offenders.
• Points on Driver’s License: Violations may add points to your driving record, potentially increasing insurance rates.
• Criminal Charges: In severe cases where a child is injured due to a violation, drivers could face criminal liability.

Colorado lawmakers designed these penalties not just to punish violators, but also to deter reckless behavior and encourage full compliance.

How the Law Promotes Child Pedestrian Safety

The Colorado school bus law reflects a commitment to proactive prevention. By requiring all vehicles to stop, except in cases where a concrete barrier separates lanes, the law ensures that children can cross safely without fear of fast-moving traffic.

This change addresses two major safety concerns:

Driver Confusion: Many violations in the past were not intentional but stemmed from drivers misinterpreting the old rules. Eliminating the painted-line exception makes the law simpler to follow.

Consistency in Enforcement: Law enforcement officers can now enforce school transportation laws more effectively. A clear standard leaves little room for argument when violations occur.

Together, these improvements are expected to reduce stopped bus violations and protect children statewide.

The new law is more than a traffic rule—it represents a cultural shift toward prioritizing children’s safety over driver convenience.

• Parents and Schools will feel greater peace of mind knowing stronger protections are in place.
• Bus Drivers gain added confidence in managing student drop-offs and pickups without worrying as much about reckless motorists.
• Communities benefit from reduced risk of devastating pedestrian accidents, fostering safer neighborhoods.

A Personal Injury Attorney’s Perspective

It’s a calm suburban morning. Your child steps off the bus, turns toward the sidewalk—but a car approaches from the opposite direction. The driver, anticipating they don’t need to stop due to misreading a painted median, speeds ahead. In a fraction of a second, the unthinkable happens—a child is struck.

As a personal injury attorney, I’ve handled too many such avoidable tragedies. This law makes it clear: no exceptions for painted medians. It’s designed to close that tragic gap and protect our most vulnerable.

Why parents and communities should pay attention:

• Victim impact: A single collision can shatter families—emotionally and financially.
• Attorney’s insight: In injury cases involving school buses, proving driver negligence hinges on whether the driver followed the law. Now, that law is crystal clear.
• Potential recourse: Violations caught on camera or via eyewitness (e.g., the bus driver’s report) can provide strong evidence for liability in court.

At Bowman Law, we understand stakes are high when it comes to children’s safety. The new Colorado school bus law, effective May 24, 2025, sends a powerful message: protecting children comes first. By clarifying and strengthening school transportation laws, Colorado is taking a crucial step toward reducing stopped bus violations and enhancing child pedestrian safety in Colorado.

Every driver plays a role in this effort. By staying alert, following the law, and exercising patience near school buses, you are directly contributing to the safety of children in your community.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a driver’s failure to obey school bus stopping laws, please call us. Bowman Law is different. Our car accident lawyers specialize in personal injury and understand the importance of assisting our clients with all damage that result in a vehicle accident. We are happy to help clients with property damage. 

Our car accident lawyers have extensive knowledge and expertise about the claims process. Do not fall victim to the underhanded tactics of an insurance company attempting to minimize your payout. You should speak with us to learn how to combat these maneuvers to protect your rights. 
Our law firm is located in Denver and serves the Front Range including Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora.