Updated October 2026
Are E-Bikes Allowed in Colorado National Forests?
Mountain bike
4,229mi
designated on 1,369 segments
27% of mapped trail
E-bike
4,135miClass 1
designated on 990 segments
26% of mapped trail
Mountain bike
4,229mi
designated on 1,369 segments
27% of mapped trail
E-bike
4,135miClass 1
designated on 990 segments
- Class 14,135 mi
- Class 24,125 mi
- Class 34,125 mi
Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.
- National forests
- 7
- Class 2 segments
- 984
- Class 3 segments
- 984
Both lanes share one scale: the 15,811 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in Colorado's 7 national forests. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.
On National Forest land in Colorado, e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles. USFS travel-management data records Class 1 e-bike access on 990 trail segments (4,135 mi), Class 2 on 984, and Class 3 on 984 across 7 national forests. Everywhere else, an e-bike is allowed only where motor-vehicle use is allowed.
E-bike access by class across Colorado
On National Forest System land, e-bikes are legally motor vehicles. Under U.S. Forest Service policy (36 CFR 212; FSM 7700), an e-bike of any class may be ridden only on routes that are designated for motor-vehicle use or specifically designated for e-bike use — not on every trail where a conventional (non-motorized) mountain bike is allowed.
| E-bike class | Trail segments with access | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1designatedPedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. | 990 | 4,135 mi |
| Class 2designatedThrottle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). | 984 | 4,125 mi |
| Class 3designatedPedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. | 984 | 4,125 mi |
By national forest
Open a forest for its trail-by-trail e-bike breakdown and season windows.
| National forest | Class 1 | Class 2 | Class 3 | Bike trails |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests | 319 | 319 | 319 | 473 |
| Pike and San Isabel National Forests | 183 | 183 | 183 | 137 |
| Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest | 145 | 145 | 145 | 48 |
| San Juan National Forest | 131 | 131 | 131 | 61 |
| White River National Forest | 100 | 94 | 94 | 365 |
| Rio Grande National Forest | 59 | 59 | 59 | 0 |
| Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests | 53 | 53 | 53 | 285 |
Frequently asked questions
- Are e-bikes allowed in Colorado national forests?
- Only where designated. On National Forest System land, e-bikes are legally motor vehicles. Under U.S. Forest Service policy (36 CFR 212; FSM 7700), an e-bike of any class may be ridden only on routes that are designated for motor-vehicle use or specifically designated for e-bike use — not on every trail where a conventional (non-motorized) mountain bike is allowed. In Colorado, USFS data records Class 1 access on 990 trail segments and Class 2/3 on far fewer. Check the specific forest before you ride.
- What's the difference between Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes on national forest trails?
- Class 1: Pedal-assist only, motor cuts out at 20 mph, no throttle. Class 2: Throttle-assist up to 20 mph (can propel without pedaling). Class 3: Pedal-assist up to 28 mph, no throttle. On Forest Service land all three are motor vehicles regardless of class, so access depends on the trail's motorized designation.
- Can I ride a Class 2 (throttle) e-bike on Colorado forest trails?
- Rarely. Class 2 access is recorded on only 984 segments statewide — most non-motorized singletrack that allows Class 1 still excludes throttle-assist Class 2 and 3 e-bikes. Verify with the managing ranger district.
See also: Colorado mountain-bike trail overview · E-bike rules by state