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Committee clears bill to allow registration of surplus military vehicles after implementation delay; state police, DMV cite safety and compliance concerns
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Summary
The Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee advanced HB11‑27 9‑4 after adopting an amendment that delays implementation to July 1, 2027 to reduce Department of Revenue programming costs; state safety officials warned surplus military vehicles generally do not meet civilian safety and emissions standards.
Representative Colin Barone introduced House Bill 11‑27 to let privately owned surplus military vehicles be licensed and registered for on‑road use in Colorado. The sponsor said the proposal applies to road‑worthy surplus vehicles (not tanks) and is intended to preserve historically significant vehicles, allow them to appear in parades and public events, and create a modest market for restoration businesses and collectors.
Colorado State Patrol Captain Wesley Cardas and a Department of Revenue (Division of Motor Vehicles) policy advisor testified in opposition on safety and regulatory grounds. Captain Cardas told the committee that many surplus military vehicles were not built to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) or Environmental Protection Agency emissions rules because they were exempted for military use. "Humvees are not required nor designed to meet all US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards," Captain Cardas said, adding that many are not fitted with airbags and that in a collision or rollover they may pose heightened risk to occupants and other road users. The DMV witness echoed those concerns and noted the vehicles are typically governed by military standards rather than civilian safety and emission rules; the department also opposed on public safety grounds.
Proponents including the Military Vehicle Collectors of Colorado and the Collector Car Council said many restored surplus vehicles are used for static displays, parades and veteran events rather than as daily drivers. Christopher Rasch of the Military Vehicle Collectors said many historic vehicles pre‑date modern safety requirements and are maintained for preservation and public education; Philip Movich and other hobbyists described volunteer uses such as honor‑guard processions for veterans and museum displays.
Sponsor amendment L001 — which delays the bill’s implementation until July 1, 2027 — was offered to reduce a substantial initial fiscal‑estimate cost the Department of Revenue attributed to early system upgrades. The committee approved that amendment and then voted to advance the bill to the Finance Committee with a favorable recommendation. The final committee roll call was 9 yeas and 4 nays.
What advocates and opponents said: Collector and veteran groups said out‑of‑state titling and registration clustered in jurisdictions such as Montana, where some collectors currently register vehicles; that migration reduces Colorado revenue and discourages preservation. Safety advocates and state agencies countered that many surplus military vehicles lack modern safety systems (airbags, certified VIN packages) and were neither crash‑tested nor certified for civilian highway use.
Next steps: The bill, as amended to push the effective implementation date to 2027, will go to the Finance Committee for consideration of fiscal impacts and possible further changes. Sponsors said they will continue stakeholder discussions on safety standards and operator training requirements (for example, additional licensing requirements when air brakes are present).
