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Senate committee indefinitely postpones bill to streamline OHV registration after stakeholder concerns
Summary
Senate Bill 21, which aimed to simplify off-highway vehicle registration for use on Colorado public lands, was postponed indefinitely at the sponsor's request after testimony raised questions about an attached economic study.
Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee members voted unanimously to postpone indefinitely Senate Bill 21, a measure the sponsor said was intended to simplify registration of off‑highway vehicles (OHVs) for use on public lands in Colorado. Senator Bridal, the bill sponsor, asked the committee to delay the measure to allow more stakeholder work and technical review.
Senator Bridal, the sponsor, told the committee the proposal "does not require anything new that isn't already in statute" and described the bill as an efficiency and clarification measure meant to reduce duplicated work and make registration easier for law‑abiding public‑land users. She said she had limited time between election and bill filing and welcomed additional cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources and stakeholders.
The Colorado Mountain Club's representative, Steve Banowski of Lakewood, testified that the club initially planned to be neutral but flagged concerns after reviewing an economic study attached to the bill. Banowski said past economic studies quantifying OHV recreation had methodological problems and that the club wanted more time to review the new study. "We would be happy as a club to work with you and with Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition to come up with a perhaps a more explanatory bill," he said.
Committee members voiced support for further stakeholder work and shared personal experience that bills sometimes require more vetting before final passage. With no additional testimony or amendments offered, the sponsor asked the committee to postpone the bill. At the sponsor's request, the vice chair moved to postpone indefinitely; the motion passed 6 to 0.
The committee recorded the postponement as a sponsor‑requested delay to allow further review and collaboration; no new requirements or statutory changes were enacted. The sponsor said she expects to refile or reintroduce a similar measure next year after additional stakeholder engagement. For now, the bill will not proceed during this session, and interested stakeholders said they plan further technical review over the summer and next year.
