Colorado’s New School Bus Safety Rule: What Drivers Must Know Now

New Colorado School Bus Safety Rules Now in Effect

At the end of the 2025 school year, Colorado lawmakers made a change to school bus safety precautions and rules.

It went into effect on May 24th, 2025 and sometimes we just all need a bit of a reminder on new safety protocols.

Read More: Will Colorado See a White Christmas in 2025? Here’s What the Forecast Says

Get our free mobile app

What Colorado’s Updated School Bus Law Requires Drivers To Do

In a report from the Colorado State Patrol Department of Public Safety, drivers who are driving toward a school bus in the opposite direction must stop when the bus’s STOP arm is out.

Clarifying the “Physical Barrier” Requirement

However, if there is a "physical barrier" that separates the opposing directions of traffic, then you don't need to stop.

Painted Lines Are No Longer Considered Barriers

Those painted lines/medians? They don't count as a barrier for opposing traffic anymore in these instances.

Officials are reminding drivers that some sort of median (either raised or depressed) or physical barrier is required to be able to continue through traffic when approaching a school bus.

Read More: Where to See the Most Magical Holiday Lights in Northern Colorado

Colorado State Patrol’s Message to Drivers

“Knowing when you are required to stop needs to become second nature,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol.

“School buses create temporary traffic control zones; they are mobile safety zones for the bus and the vulnerable population they transport.”

Read More: Finding Colorado’s Top Pizza Restaurants

Fort Collins Police & Poudre Schools Highlight the Rule Change

The Fort Collins Police Services partnered up with the Poudre School District to raise awareness of this safety change in the video down below.

Stay up to date with everything going on in Northern Colorado and beyond by downloading the free station app from your app store.

Don't forget to follow the station across all social media platforms for the latest news and entertainment updates.