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> Enforcing OHV Laws on Public Lands
Public Lands:
Enforcing OHV Laws on Public Lands
Our Position: support
Bill Number: HB1069
Sponsor: Representative Curry and Senator Tochtrop
Legislative Session: 2008
Makes it a misdemeanor to drive a motor vehicle on public lands (unless specifically allowed), remove or deface a travel vehicle sign. Allows any state peace officer to enforce the provision on state or federal lands. Establishes fines of $100 to $200 as well as possible suspension points on hunting or fishing licenses.
Status
Pols take right road to protect backcountry In Colorado’s backcountry come July 1, there will be more eyes watching to see that off-road vehicle riders stay on designated trails and stay out of restricted areas, thanks to a bill signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter late last week. The new law gives officials with the Colorado Division of Wildlife much-needed authority to issue citations that carry fines of up to $200 for those who violate trail restrictions for motorized vehicles. As this newspaper noted back in January when the bill was introduced, under current law state officials have little authority to enforce off-road-vehicle rules on federal lands or to take action, even when they witness blatant violations such as a motorized vehicle crossing into a wilderness area.
HB 1069 will grant the authority for any state peace office to enforce federal travel management violations. Adding over 150 LEOs on the ground to help support the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in the implementation of their new travel management plans and policies. As many of you know - without boots on the ground monitoring and enforcing violations - all the progressive policies in the world will not do much good when it comes to curbing resource damage due to the unmanaged proliferation of Off Highway Vehicles. The bill is supported by a diverse group of constituents - including but not limited to - Colorado Wildlife Federation, COHVCO, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the Colorado Snowmobile Association. Passed 01/23/08 House Agriculture Committee to Floor 01/29/08 Passed House Second Reading 01/30/08 Passed House Third Reading.02/4/08 Introduced to Senate assigned to Agriculture Committee 02/21/08 Passed Senate Agriculture Committee 02/26/08 Passed Senate Second Reading with amendments 02/27/08 Passed Senate Third Reading 02/29/08 House reviewed amendments made by Senate - The Bill was Repassed 03/05/08 Bill signed by the Speaker of the House 03/06/08 Bill signed by the President of the House 03/10/08 Sent to Governor Ritter03/20/08 Governor holds Signing Ceremony at the Capital!
Action Needed
Please contact Colorado Governor Ritter, and thank him for signing HB 1069 into law. If you have a personal story to share about Off Highway Vehicle abuse, please feel free to share it with him!Mail
Governor Bill Ritter
136 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203-1792
Phone
(303) 866-2471
Fax
(303) 866-2003
To see a full copy of the bill as a PDF, go to HB 1069.
More information
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Background
Keep off-road vehicles on appropriate tracks State Rep. Kathleen Curry is revving up her legislative engine to take on off-road vehicle users who ignore restrictions on where they can ride. The fact that her measure has already won the support of state and federal agencies that deal with public lands, as well as responsible off-road-vehicle groups, shows that the measure is both necessary and sensible.
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