Colorado

Recent Legislative Action

2009

HB5111: Increases search/rescue related fees on ORVs and other outdoor recreation items and allows local sheriffs to be reimbursed for S/R expenses.(Introduced)

2008

HB1069: Authorizes state peace officers to enforce federal ORV laws on federal land and toughens penalties for ORV violations (3/20/08: Signed Into Law)

Community Voices Demand Action in Colorado

• "The public shouldn't have to pay for damage caused by a few careless visitors. Increasing the penalties for people who knowingly or recklessly damage public lands would help restore damage - and just as importantly, prevent harm in the first place." -- Senator Mark Udall, Press release, "Udall, Salazar Introduce Bill to Deter Harm to Public Lands" (2/9/10)

• "It's [snowmobiles in wilderness areas] kind of an ongoing problem. It has been for quite a while. About every time I go out I see tracks." -- Tim Lamb, forestry technician for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, "Forest Service tickets Aspen-area snowmobilers", Aspen Times (1/30/09)

• "We have almost 100 homeowners who are pretty upset. We are really, really concerned. The Forest Service wants to take nine miles of illegal trails and legalize them, reward people for doing something illegal." -- John Fitzgerald, president of the Summerwood Homeowners Association, "Tenderfoot trail plans stir criticism", Summit Daily News (1/6/09)

• "The damage that has been done in (Carnage Canyon) from vehicles going off-route and being irresponsible is devastating. If people follow the rules, the trail should be sustainable." -- Brian Rasmussen, recreation planner for the Boulder Ranger District, "U.S. Forest Service, off-road vehicle clubs building course in Lefthand Canyon", Longmont Times Call (12/18/08)

• "The crux, however, is enforcement. It is seriously underfunded. And without harsh penalties, riders will continue to believe that they can head out cross-country, rip the place to shreds and risk only a modest fine on the very slight chance that they will be caught. This is a risk a lot of riders are willing to take; it is a huge problem throughout the West. Any ATV found blatantly off-trail should be subject to confiscation after a fair hearing. That single rule, if ever adopted, would keep 99 percent of the riders on the designated trails." -- Curtis Oberhansly, Boulder Resident Op-Ed, "No one-size-fits-all solution to ATV issue", The Salt Lake Tribune (10/18/08)

• “It's only right. Everybody else pays for their own enforcement, especially in light of the fact that they are a minority recreational community and cause the majority of problems out there," -- David Petersen, co-chairman of Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, "ATV trails spared pain of Colorado's budget cuts", Denver Post (1/27/10)

• "I like to gather them [antlers], but every time I go out there there's 15 four-wheelers and a snowmachine trying to outrun my horse or me walking," -- Tyler Wilson, "Antler Frenzy Leads to Possible Ban", Associated Press (10/18/09)

• "My issue with the dirt bikers is that they are rude andcause havoc...Generally, every time I go out these peoplecome by on these motorcycles, making all this racket, andcause a big wreck with my mule train. The horses start bucking, running off, and the gear falls off and gets damaged. 'Annoying' is not really the word. I don't think you can print how I feel." -- Nate May, owner of a hunting store in Marble, "Biker says he almost lost his head", Aspen Daily News (10/6/08)

• "Unregulated motorized use is one of the biggest threats to public land nationwide. There has been a big increase in motorized use and there have been problems. Now, the goal is to get the use onto designated routes and keep people out of the delicate areas." -- Nancy Berry, Columbine District recreation forester, "An off-highway haven", The Durango Telegraph (9/11/08)

• "We think it’s (the law) great. A lot of people abuse the rules and (this is) one way of catching up with them...There’s no excuse for not knowing. It takes a little user responsibility." -- Steve Chapel, Western Slope ATV Association president, "Changes of off-road vehicle use take effect this year, before hunting season", Montrose Daily Press (8/12/08)

• "We have lots and lots of ATVs, and we've seen that number increase dramatically over the last five-six years." -- Sue Kurtz, San Juan County Sheriff, "4 counties crack down on ATVers", Durango Herald (7/20/08)

• "What really upsets me most is the use by underage children lacking judgment and the basic lack of safety of those machines on streets that are shared with motor vehicles." -- Rancher Denis Stratford, Forest Lakes, Colorado, The Durango Herald (06/08/08)

• "I appreciate the right for everyone to enjoy America's public lands and believe there is a place for responsible ORV use. But I just as strongly believe there musts be reasonable limits on these machines, or we will lose forever the very values that make our national forests so special."

  "ORVs are powerful machines. In the right hands and in the right places, they're very useful. In the wrong hands and in the wrong places, they tear up soil, contribute pollution into mountain streams, and damage habitat for trout. They can also force animals off traditional range and even affect wildlife populations' ability to survive - and hunter's ability to pursue them." -- Paul Vertrees, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, "Curbing off-road vehicle use", Denver Post (12/3/09)

• My wife and I own ATVs. But that doesn't mean I need to take ‘em on public lands or that I deserve to if it affects other people and wildlife habitat … if the ATV crowd is right and it's the one bad apple who spoils the bunch, I keep seeing that bad apple. I saw him in Alaska, I saw him in Wyoming, I see him all the time. If there's really one bad apple ruining it for everyone else, he must have a hell of a gas bill. -- Joe Mirasole, Backcountry Horsemen of America, "Letter: Sportsmen Applaud OHV program reforms", Summit Daily News (7/18/10)

• "Just as fees from hunters and anglers go to enforcing laws aimed to prevent abuses within those groups, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts need to recognize that problem and kick in to bolster enforcement and restoration efforts their sport needs." -- Durango Herald Editorial Board, "OHV fees, Reallocation, not increase, makes sense", Durango Herald (1/27/10)

• "I have been on the short end of the stick time and again when I've been out hunting. I've had these damn 4-wheelers running around me when I'm a mile-and-a-half back from the nearest road. They'll drive right up to me, hedge hogging over the damn timbers, and say, 'See anything?' -- NRA Life Member Bill Sustrich, The Rocky Mountain News (09/05/07)

• "The fact of the matter is, just for instance, looking at the BLM lands right now, 4% of those 258 million acres are actually closed to off-road vehicles. We're not talking about a vast, overwhelming effort going on to keep land away from other users. We are talking about a need to accommodate the quiet recreation user, and to make sure that those people have an opportunity to experience naturalness and quiet and solitude. And there is ultimately room, but only if the travel plans that are created take all of that into account, which of course requires full participation from everybody." -- Nada Culver, Senior Counsel, The Wilderness Society, Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing on Off-Highway Vehicle Use on Public Lands, US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (6/5/08)

• "The U.S. Forest Service has begun imposing travel restrictions on off-road vehicles, and it's about time. Rules requiring off-road vehicles to remain on designated roads and trails were proposed back in 2004 and took effect in 2005, but they haven't been universally enforced. That's in part because it's hard for forest officials in good conscience to ticket some of these off-roaders. Even though they're on trails that are unmarked, and thus illegal, it's often hard to tell because the paths are so well-traveled. Still, damage to public and private lands has gotten worse as a result, while forest officials have moved at a snail's pace to shut down so-called "ghost roads."...In the White River National Forest in Colorado, about 1,000 miles of illegal roads crisscross the terrain...Former Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth says that if even 1 percent or 2 percent of ATV users go off route, "the cumulative impact is tremendous."... But even without the maps, off-roaders should be put on notice." -- Denver Post Editorial Board, "Off-Road Riders Are On Notice", Denver Post (09/01/07)

Examples of Recent ORV-Related Law Enforcement Activity

Source: United States Forest Service

2008

• White River NF - On 2/2, a snowmobiler was caught in an avalanche on an NFS Road on the Rifle RD. FS and SAR personnel responded to the area. After a short search, the missing snowmobiler was located, but was determined to be deceased. The victim had been given an avalanche beacon as a gift from his wife at Christmas but did not have it with in at the time of the accident.

• White River NF - On 1/25-27, LEO's conducted a snowmobile saturation patrol in the Aspen RD. As a result of this effort, officers contacted 226 snowmobilers and backcountry skiers as they covered 312 miles of Forest trail systems. They issued 21 violation notices and 15 written warnings. LEO's are investigating information regarding an illegal backcountry ski tour operator.

• White River NF - On 1/27, three snowmobiles were reported missing in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area of the Eagle RD. The Dillon RD LEO assisted in the coordination and logistics of the rescue effort. After an intensive three day search hampered by blizzard conditions, two of the three missing snowmobilers were located. The third person was reported to be deceased. Rescuers were able to locate and recover the man's body on 1/30.

• Arapaho-Roosevelt NF - On 10/13, an LEO responded with the Clear Creek SD, Gilpin SD, Gilpin County Coroner and the Central City FD to an ATV accident on an NFS Road on the Clear Creek RD. The accident was 6 miles up a rugged 4WD road with visibility reduced to less than 30 feet due to the first significant snowstorm of the year. The LEO was the first responder on scene and found the victim deceased.

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage