Many cities and counties in Colorado have opened some or all of their roads/streets to off-highway vehicles (OHVs). Colorado State Law allows for the operation of OHVs with a valid Colorado OHV registration/permit, by operators 10 years and older (under direct supervision of a licensed driver) or by operators 16 years and older.
Rules regulating the use of OHVs on local public roadways may be more restrictive than these state laws and often vary from one city or county to the next. Requirements regarding age of operation, driver’s license, insurance, vehicle size/types, required equipment and other rules can change as you travel across boundaries between different jurisdictions. Local governments designate OHV routes with signs and/or provide OHV route maps to the public. Please check with the local city, county, or land management office for specific rules regulating the use of OHVs in that area.
Riders should also consider that many OHVs will perform differently on paved or improved surfaces. Extra care should be taken when operating OHVs on public roads. Ride safely and be courteous when encountering vehicle traffic, bicyclists, and other road users. Remember that OHVs can be louder than most on-road vehicles. Colorado Law limits sound emissions of all new OHVs to 96 decibels. Please be mindful of area residents and businesses. Riding on-road is a privilege; please respect the communities that have chosen to allow OHVs by riding responsibly. When in Town, Throttle Down!
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Locations Allowing Access |
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The following cities and counties within the State of Colorado allow the use of unlicensed off-highway vehicles on some or all of the streets/roads within that local jurisdiction: (Please check with the local city, county, or land management office for specific rules regulating the use of off-highway vehicles in that area.) Updated 03/24/2021. Routes allowing access are subject to change. Link to Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM’s)
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| Canon City |
City of Canon City: 128 Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212 719-269-9011 |
All public roads within the city except the following: US Hwy 50, Fremont Drive and State Hwy 15. Safety and machine equipment required listed in ordinance. |
| Chaffee County |
Ordinance #2012-02 719-539-4591 |
Designated Roads Only, must be registered w/ CPW, must have DL and be at least 16 yrs. Old., Muffler, Spark Arrester, and Lights at Night Required. |
| Cripple Creek |
Cripple Creek City Hall: 337 East Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 (719)689-2502
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All city streets, roads, roadways, or alleys, except any street, road or roadway that is part of the state highway system within the city. Proof of insurance plus safety equipment |
| Custer County |
Rusty Christensen or Roger Squire, PO Box 1669, Westcliffe, CO 81252 719-783-2281 |
All county roads including towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe. Rules for county apply. |
| Craig, City of |
800 West First Street Suite #300 Craig, CO 81625, Administration 970-826-2360, Patrol Services: 970-824-8111, Fax: 970-824-5706 |
All city streets. City permit required, driver’s license required, other rules apply. |
| Creede, City of |
Creede & Mineral County Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce 904 S. Main St., PO Box 580 Creede, CO 81130 719-658-2374 |
Only certain roads, license AND insurance required, 15 MPH OHV speed limit. |
| Delta, City of |
360 Main Street Delta, CO 81416 970-874-7566 |
Designated county roads. |
| Delta, County of |
501 Palmer Street 970-874-2100 |
All county roads. |
| Eagle, Town of |
200 Broadway | P.O. Box 609 970-328-6354
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OHV route direct to/from Hardscrabble trailhead-OHV reg/permit req’d., 48″ veh. width max. |
| Empire, City of |
30 Park Ave. Empire, CO 80438 303-569-2978 |
City streets open to OHVs, NOT adjacent county roads. |
| Garfield County | Designated Roads only, license AND liability insurance required, 35 MPH limit OR posted speed limit (whichever is less) , eye protection required, helmets under 18 yrs old, front and rear lights. | |
| Granby, Town of |
516 E Agate Ave 970-887-2311 |
Ordinance #852, certain city streets only, CPW-Title 33 rules apply. |
| Grand County |
308 Byers Avenue 970-725-3347 |
Certain specified county roads. |
| Grand Lake |
14700 US 34 Grand Lake CO 80447 970-627-3402 |
Designated OHV routes. |
| Gunnison County |
County Offices 200 E. Virginia Ave. Gunnison, CO 970-641-0044, Sheriff’s Office 970-641-1113 |
Sections of designated county roads only. |
| Gypsum, Town of |
50 Lundgren Blvd. 970-524-7514 |
Limited OHV use on routes direct to/from trailhead. |
| Hinsdale County |
311 N. Henson St. Lake City, CO 81235 970-944-2225 |
OHVs are allowed on all roads in Hinsdale County and the Town of Lake City, Other OHV regulations include: 1. Vehicle operaters must have Valid Driver’s license. |
| Jackson County |
P.O. Box 1019 (970) 723-4660 |
Designated county road sections only, contact county offices. |
| Kremmling, City of |
200 Eagle Ave. Kremmling, CO 80459 970-724-3249 |
Specific OHV route providing direct access to Wolford Mtn. |
| Lake City |
PO Box 430 970-944-2527
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OHVs are allowed on all roads in Hinsdale County and the Town of Lake City, Other OHV regulations include: 1. Vehicle operators must have Valid Driver’s license. |
| Lake County |
505 Harrison Ave. PO Box 917 Leadville, CO 719-486-8210 |
All county roads, (Leadville also allows), license required, lights or daylight hrs. only. |
| Leadville, City of |
809 Harrison Avenue Leadville, CO 80461 719-486-3900 |
Certain routes pending OHV map/signage, same rules as Lake County. |
| Meeker, Town of |
345 Market Street Meeker, CO 81641 970-878-5344 |
10.5.102 – In accordance with Section 33-14.5-108(1), C.R.S., all Town roads, roadways or alleys, except any road or roadway that is part of the state highway system within the Town, are hereby designated as off-highway vehicle routes. |
| Mesa County |
544 Rood Avenue 970-244-1800 |
All county roads in unincorporated Mesa County, driver’s license, and minimum liability insurance, maximum speed the lesser of: posted limit or 35 mph, Title 33 equipment rules apply. |
| Mineral County |
PO Box 70 719-658-2331 |
All county roads except within the town of Creede. Please see “Creede” for OHV allowable routes.
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| Montezuma County |
25 N. Market St. Suite 200 Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-3414 |
All county rds. w/in unincorporated areas of the county, license and liability insurance required, and all Title 33-14.5 equipment rules apply, OHV speed limit 50 mph or posted limit whichever is less. |
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317 South 2nd Street Montrose, CO 81401 970-249-7755 |
Designated county roads only including connections for Rimrocker Trail and unincorp. towns (Nucla/Naturita) with the following restrictions (does NOT include state HWY): The following requirements apply to OHV/ATV operation on the Rimrocker Trail within Montrose County, Colorado 1. All traffic laws must be obeyed. 2. Operators must be at least 16 years of age AND possess a current, valid driver’s license. 3. Operators shall have motor vehicle liability insurance as required by law. 4. OHV/ATVs shall not exceed 35 miles per hour or the posted speed limit, whichever is less. 5. All OHV/ATVs shall be registered with the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. |
| Ouray County |
1230 Main Street/PO BOX 145 Ouray CO. 81427 970-325-4746 |
Designated county roads only, routes on Alpine Loop, must have CPW reg/permit, driver’s license, and CO state minimum liability insurance, NO Ouray City Streets or state Hwy 550. |
| Parachute, City of |
P.O. Box 100/222 Grand Valley Way Parachute, CO 81635 970-285-7630 |
All city streets, awaiting restrictions, please contact. |
| Pitkin, Town of |
P.O. BOX 9 Pitkin, CO 81241 970-787-0031 |
Valid driver’s license (no child operators), CPW OHV permit/reg, spark arrester, legal Dba muffler required, 15 mph OHV limit on all streets, no through traffic on side streets or alleys. |
| Rangley, Town of |
255 E Main St. Rangely, CO, 81648, 970-675-5290, Police Department: 970-675-8467 |
Ordinance #685 – Use of Registered Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles, SPECIFIC OHV Rules including process for certifying minors to operate OHVs through Rangely PD, Title 33-14.5 rules apply as well as other town rules.
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| Rio Blanco County |
555 Main Street Meeker, CO 8164 970-878-9400 |
All County Roads EXCEPT County Roads 1 (Blue Mountain Road), 5 (Piceance Creek Road) and 7 (Strawberry Creek Road), including a right-of-way along State Highway 13, from School Street to CR #8, connecting Town of Meeker OHV route to Wagon Wheel OHV Trail System on USFS lands. |
| San Juan County |
1557 Greene St. Silverton, CO 81433 970-387-8040 |
San Juan County has designated various routes in the county and on the Alpine Loop for ATV and unlicensed motorcycle use. Riders must be 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. All ATV’s and unlicensed motorcycles must carry liability insurance and be able to provide proof of that insurance. A map of the designated routes for these vehicles can be obtained at the parking/unloading areas or from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. |
| San Miguel County |
1120 Summit Street Norwood, CO 970-728-3844
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Designated county roads only, routes on Alpine Loop, K68 Imogene Pass Rd. and K69 Black Bear Pass Rd. must have CPW reg/permit, driver’s license, and liability insurance. |
| Silverton, City of |
1360 Greene Street PO Box 250, Silverton, CO 81433 970-387-5522 |
On October 12th, 2021, the Town of Silverton voted to BAN OHV’s on all Streets, Alleys, and Rights-of-Ways within town limits. |
| South Fork, City of |
28 Silverthread Ln PO Box 1030, South Fork, Colorado 81154 719-873-5512 |
Town and CPW OHV Permits required, must pass inspection and test and pay fee to receive town OHV permit & flag. Designated routes only, maps provided at Visitor Center. |
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421 N. 4th St. PO BOX 4000 Sterling, CO 80751-0400
970-522-9700
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It shall be legal for licensed drivers at least eighteen (18) years of age to operate an OHV (off-highway vehicle) on the public streets within the city, providing that said vehicle is registered with the city. Register at the police department. Owners must provide the following: Bill of sale, title of vehicle or proof of ownership and Proof of current insurance. | |
| Teller County |
101 W Bennett Ave, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 |
Designated county roads only. |
| Victor, City of |
500 Victor Ave. PO Box 86 Victor, CO 80860 719-689-2284, F: 719-689-2703 |
A “slow moving vehicle” emblem displayed prominently on the rear of the vehicle or red safety flag so mounted as to be between five and seven feet above the ground. Such emblem or safety flag must be displayed at all times while operating the OHV or golf car on the streets of the City. Headlights, tail lights and front and rear turn signal lights must be illuminated and in working condition if the OHV or golf car is operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. If the vehicle is not equipped with the above-mentioned lights, operation of the vehicle during the above-mentioned hours is strictly prohibited. Seat belts shall be worn if the vehicle has them as standard equipment. Every passenger must have a designated seat. No sitting on cargo racks or standing on running boards or foot pegs is permitted. All State laws imposing minimum safety and equipment standards for operating an OHV or a golf car on a public street or roadway shall be complied with, and it is the responsibility of the operator of such vehicle to ascertain and comply with said laws. |
| Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, Towns of |
1000 Main Street Westcliffe CO 81252 719-783-2282 |
All county roads including towns of Silver Cliff and Westcliffe. Rules for county apply. |
Note: This list shows cities/counties that have opened roads to OHVs for transportation/recreation. OHVs used for agricultural purposes are still allowed on public roads and may have access to routes in jurisdictions other than those listed here.
