Jaywalking refers to a pedestrian who enters a roadway (usually to cross to the other side) in a place where there is no marked crosswalk or unmarked (but legally recognized) crosswalk. Jaywalking can be dangerous because vehicles may not have an obligation to yield to pedestrians where there is no crosswalk.

White painted lines generally designate a marked crosswalk where drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians. Pedestrians may also have the right of way at stop sign intersections and alleyway entrances where a sidewalk is interrupted, for example—even if there are no painted lines or crosswalk markings.

Although jaywalking tickets or citations are usually not as significant as traffic violations, there may be a fine attached to a ticket or citation—especially if the pedestrian does not accept the police officer’s admonishment about the dangers of jaywalking.

In Colorado, jaywalking is not specifically defined under state statutes, but local ordinances in various cities address pedestrian crossing rules. Generally, pedestrians are required to obey traffic control signals and use crosswalks where available. When a pedestrian crosses a road at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, it may be considered jaywalking. Colorado law requires that vehicles yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks and at intersections with stop signs or flashing red signals, even if no crosswalk is marked. However, if pedestrians cross at a point where there is no crosswalk or intersection, they must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway. Fines for jaywalking can vary by municipality, and while they are typically less severe than for traffic violations, they can still be imposed to discourage unsafe crossing behaviors.