Chevy Colorado Side Steps by Cab, Style, and Finish

Getting into a Colorado is a step up, and the right side step makes it an easy one. This category includes Chevrolet Colorado side steps in both flat-board and tubular designs. Because each step fits a specific body, the best way to shop is to start with your cab style rather than the look you want.

Find Your Colorado's Cab Style

Your cab style determines how long the step needs to be and where its standing areas line up with the doors. Some cab names show up in more than one generation, so you'll need your model year as well.

Regular Cab

Available only on the 2004–2012 Colorado. Because it's the shortest cab, it needs the shortest steps.

Extended Cab

Offered in both the 2004–2012 and 2015–2022 generations. Despite the shared name, the two generations use different bodies, so choose the steps listed for your exact years.

Crew Cab

The Crew Cab is the only body style built in all three generations: 2004–2012, 2015–2022, and 2023 and newer. On 2015–2022 trucks, it was sold with either a short box or a long box. If you drive a 2023 or newer Colorado, shop Crew Cab listings for the current generation.

Board or Bar? How the Designs Differ

Shoppers searching for Chevy Colorado running boards, nerf bars, or step bars all want easier entry. The difference is in how each design delivers it.

Standing Surface

Running boards give you a long, flat platform that runs the length of the cab. Nerf bars and step bars use a round or oval tube with pads at the door openings.

Appearance

A board fills in the space below the doors for a solid, finished look. A tube is narrower and leaves more of the lower body exposed, which gives the truck a lighter, more rugged appearance.

Who It Suits

A board works well for family use or frequent passengers who appreciate a wider target for their feet. A Chevy Colorado step bar suits owners who mostly ride solo and prefer a slimmer profile.

Finish and Surface

Black finishes match dark trim and tend to hide boot scuffs and road film. Chrome and other bright finishes stand out more, especially next to chrome exterior accents. Look at the step pads as well. A textured surface gives you better footing when the step is wet, muddy, or snowy. Finish options differ from product to product, so confirm what each listing offers.

Gear Up the Rest of Your Truck

Running boards and step bars sit just behind the front tires, so many owners add Chevy mud flaps to cut down on spray along the lower body. If you carry bikes, browse Chevrolet bike racks. For the dirt that follows your boots into the cab, consider durable Chevy floor mats.

Colorado Side Step Questions

Will side steps from my old 2004–2012 Colorado fit my newer truck?

You shouldn't assume they will. Each generation uses a different body, so look for steps listed specifically for your newer truck's years and cab.

Are Extended Cab side steps available for the 2023 Colorado?

The 2023 and newer Colorado is built as a Crew Cab, so shop steps listed for the current-generation Crew Cab.

Which finish is easier to keep looking clean?

Black finishes generally hide scuffs and grime better than bright finishes. Chrome shows dirt more readily but looks more polished.

Key Takeaways

• Identify your cab style and model year before you compare designs.
• Choose a running board for a wide standing area, or a nerf bar or step bar for a slimmer profile.
• Choose a finish that matches your trim, and verify the fitment notes before you order.