We continue our series of articles dealing with ATV laws in each state, which came from thethis article, in this article we will cover ATV laws in Colorado. It should also be noted that although I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer and do not give legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact your local attorney.
Do you need to register an ATV or UTV in Colorado?
All off-road vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs, must be registered and numbered in Colorado to be operated or even owned within the state.
To register your ATV or UTV, you must provide proof of ownership. This proof does not have to be proof of ownership, as these are not always available, but you should at least have a receipt or bill of sale. check it outour guideso they don't accidentally get stuck with a stolen ATV.
Exceptions to the registration requirement are ATVs and UTVs that meet the following conditions:
- State-owned ATV or UTV.
- An ATV or UTV owned by a resident of another state, provided the ATV is registered in that state and has not been in Colorado for more than 30 consecutive days.
- An ATV or UTV used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
- An ATV or UTV used exclusively on private property.
- An ATV or UTV used in an organized race.
- An ATV or UTV used by a distributor or manufacturer for an educational or safety program.
Do you need to get an off-road license to operate an ATV or UTV in Colorado?
To use an ATV or UTV for recreational travel on public country trails, you must obtain an ATV permit. Permits expire on March 31 each year, regardless of when they were purchased.
An ATV license must be displayed on your ATV or UTV. ATVs and UTVs that do not require a permit include:
- state-owned vehicles;
- vehicles used in an organized event; AND
- Vehicles used for non-recreational purposes such as logging, mining, grazing livestock, cutting firewood and other similar uses.
What equipment is required for an ATV or UTV in Colorado?
Colorado requires that an ATV or UTV be equipped with the following equipment if it will be used on public land.
- Main lamp;
- Rear light;
- brakes;
- scarf; AND
- Even if it's raining.
What are the noise limits for ATVs and UTVs in Colorado?
Colorado has strict noise limits for ATVs and UTVs. For quads manufactured before 1998, the noise limit is 99 decibels. For quads and side-by-sides manufactured after 1998, the noise limit is lowered to 96 decibels.
These restrictions do not apply to ATVs and UTVs designed and used exclusively in indoor competition facilities.
Free trials are available to make sure you're eligible. The test is performed using the SAE J 1287 20-inch stationary pipe test.
What are the age restrictions for using an ATV or UTV in Colorado?
Anyone 16 years of age or older can operate a registered ATV or UTV. Additionally, children ages 10 to 15 may ride a Colorado-registered ATV or UTV under the supervision of a licensed driver.
Can you ride an ATV on the street in Colorado?
The general rule in Colorado is that you cannot operate ATVs or UTVs on public streets, roads, and highways. Fortunately, many cities and counties in Colorado have opened some or all of their roads to ATVs or UTVs. Also, there are some limited exceptions which we have listed below.
- Not surprisingly, if a street is designated for ATV use;
- When crossing the street;
- When crossing a bridge or culvert;
- During special events organized by local authorities;
- During a state of emergency declared by the state or local government; AND
- When used for agricultural purposes.
What places in Colorado allow ATVs and UTVs on public roads?
As noted above, several cities and counties in Colorado have permitted long-term use of ATVs and UTVs on public roads. Below is a brief description of what is allowed in these locations.
| okrug chaffe | On roads designated only by licensed drivers. |
| Custer County | On all provincial highways. |
| craig stopped | Operators with permits and driver's licenses work on all city streets. |
| the city of faith | On certain roads, carriers with driver's license and insurance. 15 mph speed limit. |
| delta degree | Stranger. |
| delta province | Stranger. |
| Orlov city | On the OHV trail directly to/from the start of the Hardscrabble trail. Maximum width is 48 inches on ATV and UTV. |
| city of the empire | On city streets, but not on neighboring country roads. |
| okrug Garfield | Only authorized and insured carriers on certain roads. Top speed of 35 mph. Eye protection and a helmet are required for operators under the age of 18. |
| grad bake | Only in certain streets. |
| a large county | On certain provincial highways. |
| Big lake | Only on marked OHV routes. |
| Okrug Gunnison | Only sections of certain provincial highways. |
| Municipality of Yeso | Only on routes to/from the start of the trails. |
| Hinsdale Province | On all roads for drivers with driver's license and insurance, helmet (up to 18 years) and eye protection. Top speed is 15 mph unless otherwise posted. |
| okrug Jackson | Only on marked provincial roads. |
| degree Kremmling | Only on the OHV trail that provides direct access to Wolford Mountain. |
| more city | On all roads for drivers with driver's license and insurance, helmet (up to 18 years) and eye protection. Top speed is 15 mph unless otherwise posted. |
| Lake County | All provincial highways of authorized operators. |
| Ciudad Leadville | Routes published by authorized operators. |
| in Meeker Township | On all the streets of the city. |
| Mesa County | Authorized carriers with minimum insurance on all provincial highways. The speed limit is 35 mph or less than the posted limit. |
| Okrug Moffat | On all provincial roads, unless otherwise indicated. |
| Province of Montezuma | Authorized carriers with minimum insurance on all provincial highways. The speed limit is 50 mph or less than the posted limit. |
| Montrose County | On roads designated by authorized and insured carriers. The speed limit is 35 mph or less than the posted limit. |
| Okrug Ouray | On certain provincial highways only licensed and insured carriers. |
| Parachuting | On all the streets of the city. |
| Grad Long | Authorized operators on the street. Top speed of 15 mph. |
| Degree Rangley | Stranger. |
| Rio Blanco Province | All county roads EXCEPT County Roads 1 (Blue Mountain Road), 5 (Piceance Creek Road) and 7 (Strawberry Creek Road). |
| province of San Juan | On marked routes in the Alpine loop. Operators must be licensed and insured. |
| Province of San Miguel | On marked routes. Operators must be licensed and insured. |
| grad Silverton | On marked routes marked with yellow signaling and arrows. |
| Grad South Fork | On marked routes with a city permit. |
| sterling grad | On all public roads with city registrations. Register with the police. Owners must submit: bill of sale, vehicle title deed or proof of ownership and proof of valid insurance. |
| counter of the province | On marked provincial roads. |
| Victor City | Stranger. |
What to do if you are involved in an ATV or UTV accident in Colorado?
In Colorado, if you have been involved in an off-road vehicle accident that resulted in property damage of $1,500 or more or injuries that resulted in hospitalization or death, you must immediately notify a Colorado State Patrol officer, the Colorado State Patrol sheriff in the county where the accident occurred, or the police of the municipality where the accident occurred.
What are the rules for hunting in Colorado with an ATV or UTV?
Although you are allowed to use an ATV or UTV as a hunting aid in Colorado, there are many regulations that are enforced. In general, you should only use an ATV or UTV to transport hunters to a downed animal. Other uses that you might expect to be useful are not permitted.
It is illegal to harass or hunt wildlife with an ATV or UTV. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department also emphasizes the ethical use of ATVs and UTVs while hunting, encourages consideration of other hunters, and emphasizes that the future privilege of using ATVs or UTVs while hunting will be based on their responsible use by part of today's hunters.
There are also restrictions on carrying a weapon on an ATV or UTV. All firearms must be completely unloaded, both in the magazine and in the magazine. All firearms and bows carried on an ATV or UTV must be in hard or soft cases.