Council sets public hearing for changes to nuisance‑vehicle code; clarifying enforcement raised

Woodland Park City Council on Oct. 16 approved initial posting and set a Nov. 6 public hearing for an ordinance that would amend various sections of Chapter 10.08 of the municipal code concerning removal and disposal of nuisance vehicles.

Council members asked for clarification about what constitutes a nuisance vehicle, whether unlicensed vehicles on private property would be cited and how the code would treat trailers, campers and RVs. The police chief responded that the existing code allows for protective measures such as an earth‑tone cover for stored vehicles and that enforcement depends on a combination of factors. The chief said the prior phrasing of the ordinance made it difficult to enforce because it required a vehicle to meet all listed factors; the proposed changes allow any of the listed factors to support enforcement action.

Council member questions prompted staff to note enforcement is usually education‑first — staff seek voluntary compliance when registrations lapse — but that the city needs authority to act when vehicles have extensive damage, sit for long periods and cause blight. The police chief also said the ordinance text will clarify whether recreational vehicles and trailers are included and that planning for the exact definitions can be discussed at the public hearing.

Council made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 15 O 9, Series 2025, on initial posting and set the Nov. 6 public hearing; the motion passed by unanimous roll call.