HB 22-1046

House Bill 22-1046, which has been signed into law in Colorado, allows local governments to designate certain highways for use only by vehicles and methods designed for traveling on snow when conditions are snowy. This includes things like sleds, skis, or special snow vehicles with tracks instead of wheels. Local authorities can also choose to restrict this designation to human-powered or animal-powered travel if they prefer. The law is now in effect, meaning local governments can start designating highways for over-snow use according to the guidelines provided by the bill.

Official Summary

The act authorizes a local government to designate all or a portion of a highway under its jurisdiction for over-snow use only when snow-packed conditions exist on the highway or for a designated continuous seasonal period for which the local government determines that snow-packed conditions are likely to exist on the highway. "Over-snow use" is defined as travel on top of snow by human-powered or animal-powered means or by an off-highway vehicle that is primarily designed or altered for use over snow and runs without tires on a continuous belt track or on one or more skis while in use over snow. A local government may limit an over-snow use designation to human-powered or animal-powered travel, or both, and the act does not prohibit a local authority from entering into a private winter maintenance agreement when wheeled winter access is requested along a highway. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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