Changes to off-road vehicle use take effect this year, before hunting season

MONTROSE — As hunting season approaches, officials are reminding the public to make note of changes to off-road vehicle use on public lands.

New and revised rules that govern this recreational source take effect this year. Changes include  requiring in-state registration for off-road and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and requiring riders to stay on trails marked for use.

Beginning in 2008, out-of-state users must register their ATVs or off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in Colorado. Up until recently, the law governing registration was interpreted to mean that visiting non-residents would not have to register their ATVs or OHVs in Colorado, said Deb Frazier, Colorado State Parks spokesperson.

Local OHV users sought clarification of the law, which led to the change, Frazier said. Now out-of-state users have to register in-state, and pay the corresponding fees that help maintain Colorado’s trail system.

“Even though you may have an out of state license for an ATV, that doesn’t help us maintain our trails,” Frazier said. “That applies to not just state parks but federal public land. It’s the user groups that help us administer the trails system.”

The good news about the change is that it will put more money back into the trails, said Steve Chapel, Western Slope ATV Association president.

The bad news is other states that used to honor Colorado permits will quit doing so, he added.

Anecdotal information suggests the number of all-terrain vehicles used during hunting season has increased steadily in the last five years, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Improper use of ATVs disturbs animals and hunters, and causes resource damage, the DOW noted.

Hunters must get off their ATVs and walk quietly into big-game terrain in order to see the animals, Cary Carron, Bayfield district wildlife manager said in a DOW article.

Beginning this year, a new state law reverses the long-standing practice of allowing motor vehicle travel except where restricted, and instead adopts a policy to prohibit this kind of travel unless it is explicitly authorized — either by maps, signs or route markers.

Chapel said that users can get motor-vehicle use maps from their local forest office. These maps list all the legal motorized-use trails.

The law, which became effective in July, allows law enforcement and wildlife officers to write tickets to those riding motor vehicles in closed areas or operating vehicles improperly. Violators face $100 to $200 in fines, and hunting and fishing license point deductions.

“We think it’s (the law) great. A lot of people abuse the rules and (this is) one way of catching up with them,” said Chapel. “...There’s no excuse for not knowing. It takes a little user responsibility.”

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To register an off-highway vehicle call the Colorado State Parks office at (303) 791-1920, or go to the Web site: (parks.state.co.us/OHVsandSnowmobiles/OHVProgram/OHVRegistrations/). The annual registration fee is $25.25.

Contact Lisa Huynh via email at lisah@montrosepress.com