[BobX2]

Things are starting to look a little better here. Unfortunately the areas are all on the west side of the divide. Time for the liberal front range to take note and get with the program!

OHVs on Streets and Roads | Stay The Trail

staythetrail.org

 

[Remote 8]

Things are starting to look a little better here. Unfortunately the areas are all on the west side of the divide. Time for the liberal front range to take note and get with the program!

Still a ways to go here on the W slope. A uniform set of rules and plating would go a long way to unravel the confusion with a zillion juristictions and laws. Add in BLM, USFS, LE, who are almost always cross deputized, and it can get confusing.

Example: I live in Saguache County. Let's say I want to use the Hartman Rocks trail system and rock climbing area in Gunnison County, which is about 6 miles away and is like a mini Moab. I use subdivision roads (OK, but could be subject to subdivision approval). BLM roads usually signed and OK, but could be subject to seasonal restrictions. Saguache County roads, don't think they give a bit of care to the issue as they are possibly the least bureaucratic County in the state. Saguache County roads with conflicting BLM easement claims that may be resolved some decade in the future. Gunnison County roads maintained dirt but I guess it's OK since I've been driving them for 20 something years with no issues. Gunnison County with BLM claimed easements. I have to use the back entrance to the Hartman Rocks facility which is a mix of BLM, County roads which may be restricted....or not. The front is pavement which is restricted.....unless your the local rancher who drives his UTV on to because agriculture. Clear enough?

I have crossed 4 (possibly 5 becauseHartmann Rocks is Joint jurisdictional venture) different juristictions to go 6 miles.

Asking LEO for clarification brings an eye roll and "just be cool about it."

 

[BobX2]

I agree, a plate would be the proper way to go about it, but then the whole state would have to comply, and that's not how things work here in Commyrado. At least this is a start.

 

[Remote 8]

It is a start indeed. Unfortunately LE and riders are in the dark, or in grey areas as to what is and isn't legal..LOL, I forgot to include DNR (formally DOW) enforcement. My example wasn't ment to discourage, just to illustrate. Like civil rights movements of the past, groups respectfully working, and pushing, into the grey areas tends to turn them into open areas by useage precedent. A lot of the opened areas here are populated by summer residents from a state from the south that starts with a T who consider UTV useage integral to their lifestyle. Sometimes they push that envelope too far, but the movement is gaining traction on the western slope!

 

[Speedyg]

I agree, a plate would be the proper way to go about it, but then the whole state would have to comply, and that's not how things work here in Commyrado. At least this is a start.

Hey I least the laws are transparent there. Our laws are very gray here. I’ve road on the road and cops just wave. So it might be a discretion thing.

 

[Remote 8]

Hey I least the laws are transparent there. Our laws are very gray here. I’ve road on the road and cops just wave. So it might be a discretion thing.

That's kind of the problem in Colorado. In my example at least 4 chances to hear your doing it wrong from 4 different juristictions to drive 6 miles.
LOL, last year I heard the USFS LEO kick about 40 riders off a trail, guessing he had them lined up for citations. One of the riders called the BLM Ranger on his cell as they work together pretty well with trail users....."'BLM ......FS*,that trail is open. I sent a memo yesterday." "Well....the closed signs are still up." "That's the reason for the memo. I also posted it on our website so the riders are correct."

I guess it was a good thing the BLM ranger answered his phone.

Than we get the our of state folks who are really confused. Its getting better and groups like Stay the Trail help the process immensely.

 

[Speedyg]

Yea out here there’s certain counties that allow you to ride. No issues whatsoever. A lot of the grey is in my county. The law says you can ride on pavement as long as it’s to and from roads. But does not indicate a distance allowed. You may ride on the side of the road but doesn’t say if it can be paved or not. Then there’s a law that says don’t ride on paved roads. Then you have the registration stickers and plates. I’m in a county where supposedly it’s not allowed but yet I can get on road stickers and plates. It even says ON ROAD USE.
So theoretically if it’s registered, plated and insured, Would this qualify as a normal vehicle on a highway? So many questions.
Last week I rode along the road and occasional on pavement and saw a couple officers and none gave me a hard time. Mostly waving and watching. The city doesn’t help because they’ve fenced and blocked off public land including ditches which is a big part of riding around here to get to places. There’s a big petition up right now from farmers and ranchers to remove these barriers. That would help tremendously and would avoid any paved road. Just some of the BS we deal with.

 

[BigParm]

Yea out here there’s certain counties that allow you to ride. No issues whatsoever. A lot of the grey is in my county. The law says you can ride on pavement as long as it’s to and from roads. But does not indicate a distance allowed. You may ride on the side of the road but doesn’t say if it can be paved or not. Then there’s a law that says don’t ride on paved roads. Then you have the registration stickers and plates. I’m in a county where supposedly it’s not allowed but yet I can get on road stickers and plates. It even says ON ROAD USE.
So theoretically if it’s registered, plated and insured, Would this qualify as a normal vehicle on a highway? So many questions.
Last week I rode along the road and occasional on pavement and saw a couple officers and none gave me a hard time. Mostly waving and watching. The city doesn’t help because they’ve fenced and blocked off public land including ditches which is a big part of riding around here to get to places. There’s a big petition up right now from farmers and ranchers to remove these barriers. That would help tremendously and would avoid any paved road. Just some of the BS we deal with.

Or you could move one state over and come and go as you please. On road off-road, as long as you’re plated you’re good to go.

 

[Speedyg]

Or you could move one state over and come and go as you please. On road off-road, as long as you’re plated you’re good to go.

Arizona is a great state. But I can’t do the 120 degree summers. Was at lake havasu couple years back in my buddys big block boat. I roasted pretty bad.

 

[BigParm]

Arizona is a great state. But I can’t do the 120 degree summers. Was at lake havasu couple years back in my buddys big block boat. I roasted pretty bad.

Yeah, it’s hot in the valley areas. That’s why I moved north 5k feet up. Way better up here.

 

[Remote 8]

you could move one state over and come and go as you please. On road off-road, as long as you’re plated you’re good to go.

Working in that direction for winters. At least for a few extended vacations.

 

[Brent]

For the most part when it hits the 100+ mark we either won't ride or we'll go way up in the mountains where it's 10-15 degrees cooler. I treat the hot summer days just like I treated cold rainy days in Seattle before I moved. Stay inside.

 

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Still a ways to go here on the W slope. A uniform set of rules and plating would go a long way to unravel the confusion with a zillion juristictions and laws. Add in BLM, USFS, LE, who are almost always cross deputized, and it can get confusing.

Example: I live in Saguache County. Let's say I want to use the Hartman Rocks trail system and rock climbing area in Gunnison County, which is about 6 miles away and is like a mini Moab. I use subdivision roads (OK, but could be subject to subdivision approval). BLM roads usually signed and OK, but could be subject to seasonal restrictions. Saguache County roads, don't think they give a bit of care to the issue as they are possibly the least bureaucratic County in the state. Saguache County roads with conflicting BLM easement claims that may be resolved some decade in the future. Gunnison County roads maintained dirt but I guess it's OK since I've been driving them for 20 something years with no issues. Gunnison County with BLM claimed easements. I have to use the back entrance to the Hartman Rocks facility which is a mix of BLM, County roads which may be restricted....or not. The front is pavement which is restricted.....unless your the local rancher who drives his UTV on to because agriculture. Clear enough?

I have crossed 4 (possibly 5 becauseHartmann Rocks is Joint jurisdictional venture) different juristictions to go 6 miles.

Asking LEO for clarification brings an eye roll and "just be cool about it."

Remote8
I’m riding the South Fork area trails. Same issues. I would love to meet up and follow you around this area you are talking about. I’d be willing to show you some of the trails here as well. I’ll be in town til October, then I head to the free state of AZ. Shoot me a message here or text/call 9124671061. I can ride weekdays or weekends.