Colorado drivers are being reminded that using a cellphone while driving must be done hands-free under state law. Colorado’s Hands-Free Law, which took effect last year, was enacted to reduce distracted driving crashes and improve safety on roadways statewide.
Drivers who are caught holding or using a cellphone while driving face a $75 fine and license suspension points for a first offense. The law applies at all times while operating a vehicle, including when stopped in traffic or waiting at a red light. The only exception is when a vehicle is legally parked.
The Colorado State Patrol has significantly increased enforcement of the law. In 2025 alone, troopers issued more than 900 citations for hands-free violations—more than triple the total number of citations written during the previous two years combined.
Law enforcement officials say the stepped-up enforcement is intended to raise awareness and encourage safer driving habits across the state.
