Colorado Atv Permit (2024)

FAQs

Do you need a permit to ride ATV in Colorado? ›

What is Required to Operate an OHV in Colorado? All OHVs must have either a current/valid Colorado Registration Card and two Decals or one Colorado OHV Permit to operate in Colorado. This includes while in route, in staging areas and on public land roads and OHV designated trails.

Is it required to wear a helmet or other protective equipment while riding? Riders age 18 and over are not required to wear a helmet in Colorado. However, operators or passengers under the age of 18, MUST wear a DOT-approved helmet.

To make an ATV street legal in Colorado, it must have a headlight, taillight, brake light, horn, rearview mirror, and a spark arrester. Additionally, it must be registered and insured.

OHVs must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. All OHVs owned and operated in Colorado must display current registration stickers when in an OHV staging area or operated on designated trails or routes. OHVs from out of state must also display a current Colorado OHV use permit sticker.

Here we will explain the stipulations of the 2022 Colorado Parks and Wildlife OHV registration and permit program. The cost for a 2022 OHV Registration or Permit is $25.25. An easy way to correlate is to use the “P” in permits with the “P” in plated. Example; “Permits” are for “Plated” vehicles.

An off-highway vehicle that is 50 inches or less in width. Colorado does not recognize ATVs as street legal. An off-highway vehicle where passengers ride side-by-side. UTVs greater than 50 inches in width are not allowed on Forest Service ATV trails.

OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES

In most BLM areas, OHVs are limited to operating on roads and trails that are identified on travel maps and/or posted as available for motorized use. Please check in with your local field office for more information on the best locations for motorized recreation.

Who Needs ATV Insurance in Colorado? In Colorado, all ATVs must be insured if they are operated on public lands. This includes state parks, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. However, you may not required to have insurance if you only operate your ATV on private property.

An approved helmet worn by an operator or passenger must meet federal law, which requires the helmet to display the symbol DOT. DOT is the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Standard bicycle helmets and hockey helmets are not legal helmets.

No, ATVs are not street legal vehicles in Colorado. According to Colorado Revised Statute 33-14.5-108, you cannot operate an ATV on any public roadway, highway or street in Colorado except in emergency situations or for agricultural purposes.

Do ATVs have titles in Colorado? ›

The State of Colorado does not title or register watercraft (boats, jet ski's etc.), ATV's (4 wheelers) or Off-road motorcycles. These are however required to be licensed with the State of Colorado Parks & Recreation Department.

Travel Restrictions

Public use of motor vehicles in a manner inconsistent with the MVUM is a violation of federal regulations at 36 CFR 261.13. If you have any questions please call or stop by the local district office. By law, motorized vehicles are not allowed in Wilderness.

According to Colorado Revised Statutes 42-3-202, the owner of a motor vehicle must attach both a front and rear license plate to his/her auto. The law also states that owners must attach validation tabs or stickers to the rear license plate at the bottom of the plate.

In the state of Colorado, a driver's license is required to drive an ATV any time that you are on public property. The primary vehicle operator must be licensed with a valid state driver's license in order to use the vehicle in any capacity.

Towns including Craig, Meeker, Westcliffe, Silvercliff, Leadville and Parachute welcome OHVs on all streets without restrictions. Some counties, including Custer and Delta, have opened all county roads to OHVs. Aspen and Pitkin County have nixed them on their roads.

You must be at least 10 years old to operate an ATV on public roads in Colorado. This age limit does not apply to private properties, however. ATV operators on public roads between the ages of 10 and 16 must have with them a supervisor with a valid driver's license.

There is no permit required to travel the CT. However, some of the National Forest campgrounds and parking areas along the Trail charge a fee and a State Wildlife Area Pass may be required to travel through the first half-mile of Segment 12 on the CT Collegiate East (depending on your trip plans).

It is illegal for UTVs and other off-highway vehicles to use public roads in Colorado except for roads that have been approved for OHV use by a local town, city, or county. OHVs are only permitted to use other roads during approved special events and declared emergency conditions. Crossing roads is also permitted.