How to Get Medical Exemption for Window Tint in Colorado in 2026

Navigating the window tint laws in Colorado can be as tricky as a mountain path. You're probably aware that some states allow medical exemptions for window tinting, but Colorado isn't one of them. Now, you're left wondering if there's any way around this, any loophole or undiscovered path that would permit a darker window tint for medical reasons. Well, let's explore this together, shall we? We might just stumble upon some unexpected solutions.

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2026 State Law Reference

Colorado Window Tint Medical Exemption — Quick Reference

Governing Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-227
Processing Agency: Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
Front-side VLT (non-medical): 27%
Windshield tint rule: Top 4 inches (AS-1)

Colorado accepts a written prescription kept in the vehicle as proof of exemption.

Last reviewed: 2026. Always confirm current requirements with Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles before submitting your application — statutes and form numbers can change.

The information on myeyerx.net isn't legal advice; consider it a starting point. Always verify with local and state authorities, as the final decision rests with you. We are not lawyers. For specific legal guidance, we can refer you to legal experts. Remember, knowledge of both state and local laws is essential, and even law enforcement might not be fully updated. We aim for accuracy but advise double-checking for the latest regulations.

Key Takeaways

Understand Colorado's tint laws before seeking a medical exemption, which Colorado does not generally recognize.
Obtain a physician's form and necessary documentation for tint shop compliance and potential legal use.
Submit your application with relevant medical information and exercise patience during the review process.
After approval, keep the exemption document in your vehicle, maintain the tint level, and adhere to all additional guidelines.

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MyEyeRx was established with the objective of simplifying the complex landscape of state regulations pertaining to legal medical exemptions for window tinting. For individuals seeking to navigate these regulations without resorting to a do-it-yourself approach, we offer a streamlined solution. Our team includes qualified medical professionals who are available to conduct consultations via Zoom. These sessions are designed to assess your eligibility for a medical exemption, ensuring a personalized and efficient process for acquiring the necessary documentation.

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Understanding Colorado's Tint Laws

To navigate Colorado's tint laws, you should understand that the state only permits tinting on the top four inches of front windshields with a nonreflective 70% Visible Light Transmission (VLT), and both front and rear side windows must let in at least 27% of outside light. This means that when you're considering Colorado window tinting, you need to ensure your vehicle complies with these specifications.

The VLT is a measurement of how much light your windows allow to pass through. If your front side windows allow more than 70% of light to enter, then your rear side windows and rear window can have any level of tinting. However, it's crucial to note that any tint on the rear windows requires dual side mirrors to ensure safety.

With regards to colors, Colorado's window tinting laws are pretty specific. While you might fancy a unique tint, you can't tint your rear windows in amber or red. This regulation is in place to prevent confusion with emergency vehicles.

Now, you might be wondering about medical exceptions to these laws. Unfortunately, Colorado does not recognize medical exemptions for window tinting laws. This means that even if you have a medical condition that requires darker windows, you still have to comply with the state's regulations.

Understanding these laws can save you from fines and ensure you're driving a legal vehicle. Make sure you're well informed before you decide to tint your vehicle's windows in Colorado.

Navigating Medical Exemption Process

Even though Colorado doesn't generally recognize medical exemptions for window tinting laws, if you have a medical condition requiring darker windows, there's a process to follow. This process begins with obtaining a form from a licensed physician in Colorado. Your physician will review your eligibility based on a list of qualifying medical conditions for window tint exemptions.

If you qualify, your licensed physician will provide you with the necessary documentation. This documentation is key to your case and should be kept safe. It's important to understand that having a medical exemption does not guarantee avoidance of tickets. However, it can be used in court if needed.

Now, you'll need to present your medical recommendation documents to a tint shop. Ensure that the tint shop comprehends and complies with the requirements of the medical exemption.

Here's a quick breakdown of the process:

Step	Action	Outcome
1	Obtain form from licensed physician	Determine eligibility
2	Receive documentation	Use for tint shop compliance
3	Present documents to tint shop	Ensure correct tint application
4	Keep documentation	Use if tickets arise, present in court

Submitting Your Application

Once you've got your physician's documentation in hand, it's time to tackle the application process for a medical exemption for window tint in Colorado. This process involves filling out a form with your necessary medical information. Don't forget, it's essential to provide all relevant documentation from your licensed physician to support your medical need for tinted windows.

In Colorado, the medical exemption application for window tint is taken seriously. You're not merely trying to darken your windows for aesthetic reasons - you're seeking an accommodation that could significantly improve your health and comfort while driving. Therefore, your application needs to be thorough and well-documented.

Your application will be reviewed to see if you qualify for this exemption. This review process can take a bit of time as it involves in-depth scrutiny of the medical information provided. The key is to be patient and understand that this process is essential to ensure that only those with a genuine medical need are granted this exemption.

After you've submitted your application, you may need to schedule a phone call with a physician to further verify your eligibility. This step might seem daunting, but remember, it's just another part of the process to ensure that your need for a medical exemption for window tint in Colorado is genuine.

Ensuring Compliance After Approval

After securing your medical exemption for window tint in Colorado, it's crucial that you ensure compliance with all the guidelines and requirements. Primarily, you must keep the approved medical exemption documentation in your vehicle at all times. This is to provide proof of your exemption to law enforcement if necessary, ensuring that you are adhering to Colorado law.

Next, it's vital that you maintain the approved level of tint darkness as specified in the medical exemption. Regular checks of your window tint condition are necessary to ensure it stays within the approved limits. Failure to adhere to the specified tint darkness could result in your exemption being revoked.

Finally, keep an eye out for any additional guidelines or requirements provided with your approved exemption. These additional rules are part of your compliance responsibilities and must be followed for your window tint to remain legal in Colorado.

The table below summarizes the steps you need to take for compliance:

Step	Action	Reason
1	Keep exemption documentation in vehicle	For proof to law enforcement
2	Maintain approved level of tint darkness	To comply with exemption terms
3	Follow additional guidelines	To remain within Colorado law

Visible Light Transmission (VLT)

Colorado tint limits — standard vs. medical exemption

Window	Standard (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-227)	With medical exemption
Windshield	Top 4 inches (AS-1)	Doctor may authorize full non-reflective tint below the AS-1 line when photosensitivity is documented.
Front side windows	27% minimum light transmission	Typically 20%–35% VLT when clinically justified (statute ceiling applies).
Rear side windows	Most states permit any darkness on rear sides	No change — medical exemption rarely needed here.
Rear window	Most states permit any darkness when dual side mirrors are present	No change — already covered by the dual-mirror provision.
Reflectivity	Generally capped at 20%–35%; mirrored / metallic tint prohibited	Same — medical exemption does not permit reflective film.

Numbers in the Standard column reflect Colorado's baseline statute. The With medical exemption column describes the typical range a clinician can prescribe; the final VLT authorized is whatever the physician's letter or state-issued exemption certificate specifies, subject to the statute's ceiling. Always match the installed film to the exemption document — the exemption only covers the darkness specifically justified by the clinician.

At A Traffic Stop

What Colorado law enforcement looks for

Officers in Colorado typically run a tint-meter reading at the driver's window and then ask for exemption paperwork before writing a citation. Produce these three items immediately and the stop usually ends with a warning rather than a fine:

1 The physician's signed exemption letter or Colorado exemption certificate — original, not a photocopy. The letter must identify the condition (photophobia, lupus, post-corneal-surgery sensitivity, melanoma history, etc.) and the maximum VLT the clinician authorizes.
2 The clinician's NPI number and state license on the letterhead. undefined officers can verify an NPI against the federal NPPES registry in seconds.
3 A tint-card or installer invoice showing the VLT of the installed film. When the installer's VLT is at or above what the exemption authorizes, the stop is usually dismissed on the spot.

Note: Colorado officers cannot demand to see your underlying medical record — only the signed exemption document. HIPAA protects the diagnosis detail; the exemption letter is the only document they are legally entitled to review during a traffic stop.

Keeping Your Exemption Valid

How to stay compliant in Colorado

• Keep the original exemption document in the glove box at all times — not the trunk, not a phone photo. Most Colorado officers will not accept a digital copy.
• If the vehicle changes hands, the exemption does not transfer. Remove the tint or secure a new exemption for the new driver.
• Re-verify the exemption annually with undefined — a few states require an updated physician's letter every 1–3 years. If your documentation is more than 24 months old, refresh it.
• Match the installed film exactly to the VLT authorized by the clinician. Going darker than the letter permits voids the exemption and exposes you to the full statute penalty.
• Keep the installer's receipt showing the VLT of the film. Independent verification of the installed tint is the single most common question officers ask after they see the exemption letter.
• If you move out of Colorado, you will need to obtain a new exemption under your new state's statute. Exemptions are not portable across state lines.

More State Guides

Compare with other states

Or browse the complete 50-state exemption guide and the state-specific consultation shop.

Common Questions

Colorado Window Tint Medical Exemption FAQs

What is the law on window tint medical exemptions in Colorado?

The governing statute in Colorado is Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-227, administered by Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. The default front-side visible-light-transmission (VLT) rule is 27%, with windshield tint limited to Top 4 inches (AS-1). A medical exemption allows darker tint than the baseline when a licensed physician certifies the medical necessity.

How do I apply for a window tint medical exemption in Colorado?

In Colorado, you submit a signed physician letter on letterhead to Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. The certification must come from a licensed physician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist and identify the condition creating medical necessity (photophobia, lupus, post-cataract sensitivity, etc.). MyEyeRx handles the virtual consultation and issues the Colorado-compliant documentation after the visit when medically appropriate.

What do I need to keep in my vehicle in Colorado?

Colorado accepts a written prescription kept in the vehicle as proof of exemption. Keep a copy of the signed documentation, the physician's contact information, and the statute reference (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-227) in the glove box so you can produce it during a traffic stop. Colorado drivers are strongly encouraged to carry the original — not a photocopy — because some inspection officers will not accept copies.

Is an online / telehealth appointment valid for a Colorado tint exemption in 2026?

Yes. Colorado accepts a telehealth consultation with a U.S.-licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or physician as the basis for the exemption documentation, provided the clinician conducts the visit in accordance with Colorado telemedicine rules. MyEyeRx's 2026 process is 100% virtual and the paperwork is formatted for Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.

How much darker can I go with a Colorado medical exemption?

Colorado's non-medical VLT rule is 27% on the front sides. With a valid medical exemption, drivers typically run much darker tint (commonly 20%–35% on the front sides) depending on the physician's recommendation and the statute's ceiling. Always match the installer's film to the VLT the exemption letter permits; the exemption only covers the darkness specifically justified by the clinician.

Looking for a different state? Browse our full 50-state medical exemption guide.

Sources & Citations

Where this Colorado guide's information comes from

This guide is written against the live statute text and the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles's current public guidance. We do not paraphrase statute language; we cite the governing code so you can verify every rule yourself. Last reviewed for the 2026 legislative cycle.

Colorado Statute — Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-227. The governing section of Colorado code that sets baseline window-tint visible-light-transmission (VLT) limits and authorizes medical exemptions from those limits.
Processing Agency — Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. The state office that accepts, reviews, and records the exemption documentation referenced above.
FMVSS 205 — Glazing Materials — 49 CFR § 571.205. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that defines the AS-1 windshield line most states (including Colorado) reference in their tint statutes.
NHTSA Vehicle Equipment Rules — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal authority on vehicle-equipment standards referenced by state DMVs when evaluating aftermarket window tint.
Telehealth prescribing authority — U.S. Department of Health & Human Services telehealth policy guidance. Confirms that a U.S.-licensed physician or optometrist may evaluate and document medical necessity for a tint exemption through a telemedicine visit when the state permits it.
MyEyeRx Colorado Consultation — Colorado online window tint medical exemption consultation. Our virtual consultation for Colorado residents, issuing Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles-compliant documentation after evaluation.

This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Statutes are updated by the Colorado legislature and agency rules change periodically; always verify the current text of Colo. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-227 with Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles or a licensed attorney before relying on any single fact.

How to get Medical exemption for window tint in Colorado in 2026