Colorado bill to penalize illegal ORV use

The Colorado legislature is currently proposing a bill, House Bill 1069, which would impose state penalties on federal off-road vehicle violation. So if a snowmobile were to machine its way into a federal Wilderness area, the operator would face a $200 fine in addition to points docked on his or her hunting and fishing licenses. Also of importance, and key to the pivotal issue of enforcement of the off-road vehicle violation, is the provision in the bill that would allow state officials to enforce the law, even though the violations occur on federal lands. The Durango Herald reports:

House Bill 1069 would set a $100 fine for people who ride ATVs or snowmobiles on prohibited areas of public lands. Fines would double in a wilderness area, and violators' hunting and fishing licenses could be docked 10 to 15 points.

The bill also allows any law-enforcement officer, including state wildlife rangers, to enforce the law on federal lands.

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management don't have enough rangers to police their lands, Petersen said.

Foresters will be happy for the help, said Forest Service spokeswoman Janelle Smith.

Of interest is that off-road vehicle interest groups seem to be supporting the legislature. From the same Durango Herald article:

"We know a very small portion of the recreating and hunting population causes problems, and we're going to get them reined in," said Dennis Larratt, chairman of the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition.

While our research shows that it is more than a "very small portion" of off-roaders who are causing the issue, it is encouraging to see the off-road community to express interest in enforcement. The Grand Junction Sentinel's story on the bill further elaborates on off-road vehicle interests and the bill:

[Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison] said the bill was written with the support of the off-road vehicle community.

“I don’t see anything wrong with (the bill) as far as keeping people out of wilderness areas,” Western Slope ATV Association President Steve Chapel said. “It’s probably a good tool.”

He said if the bill is designed to aid law enforcement, “then I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

This bill is a step in the right direction when it comes to enforcement of off-road vehicle violations. Now we'll have to wait and see what happens in the legislature.