1. (1)

   1. (a) A person, other than a towing carrier or peace officer as described in section 16-2.5-101, C.R.S., commits the crime of unlawful removal of tow-truck signage if:

      1. (I) A towing carrier has placed a tow-truck warning sign on the driver-side window of a vehicle to be towed or, if window placement is impracticable, in another location on the driver-side of the vehicle; and
      2. (II) The vehicle to be towed is within fifty feet of the towing carrier vehicle; and
      3. (III) The person removes the tow-truck warning sign from the vehicle before the tow is completed.
   2. (b) A person commits the crime of unlawful usage of tow-truck signage if the person places a tow-truck warning sign on a vehicle when the vehicle is not in the process of being towed or when the vehicle is occupied.
   3. (c) A towing carrier may permit an owner of the vehicle to be towed to retrieve any personal items from the vehicle before the vehicle is towed.
2. (2) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits a class A traffic infraction.

3. (3) For purposes of this section, tow-truck warning sign means a sign that is at least eight inches by eight inches, is either yellow or orange, and states the following:

   WARNING: This vehicle is in tow. Attempting to operate or operating this vehicle may result in criminal prosecution and may lead to injury or death to you or another person.

Source: L. 2011: Entire section added, (SB 11-260), ch. 298, p. 1433, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2021: (2) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3304, § 725, effective March 1, 2022.

Cross references: In 2011, this section was added by the Allen Rose Tow-truck Safety Act. For the short title, see section 1 of chapter 298, Session Laws of Colorado 2011.