A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning measures affecting equestrians.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill defines an equestrian zone as an area that a municipality or county determines is suburban or urban and contains:
- Public equestrian venues;
- Residential neighborhoods where significant numbers of equestrians live and engage in equestrian activities;
- Keystone properties that have equestrian facilities that stable horses, serve the community, or provide equestrian services; or
- Roads or trails that equestrians regularly use and that are related to the areas described in the last 3 bullet points.
- Construct and maintain infrastructure necessary to access horse trails and install signs that notify the public of the infrastructure;
- Identify locations where equestrian road crossings are needed to safely use horse trails, construct and maintain the equestrian road crossings in those places, and install signs notifying the public of the crossings;
- Publish a map showing the location and character of existing or proposed equestrian infrastructure;
- Erect road signs bearing the universal equestrian sign symbol and the words "wide and slow" in equestrian zones; and
- Identify and show the location and character of existing or proposed equestrian infrastructure, venues, and riding zones on master plans.
- Proceed with due care and caution, passing wide and slow;
- Refrain from using the vehicle's horn, unless necessary to avoid an unsafe condition or harming the equestrian;
- Obey a signal from the equestrian to stop or slow the motor vehicle;
- Keep the motor vehicle from exceeding 10 miles per hour; and
- Maintain 6 feet of distance from the equestrian.
The bill requires municipalities and counties to:
A municipality or county may organize public events to educate the public about equestrian use of recreational trails and roads and the duties of users of trails and roads with regard to equestrian users.
In an equestrian zone on a road, the driver of a motor vehicle must, when passing an equestrian:
When using a road, equestrian riders may proceed 2 abreast if one of the riders is under 18 years of age or if one of the equestrians is inexperienced and the young or inexperienced equestrian is closest to the edge of the road. Equestrians have the right-of-way at a designated equestrian road crossing. The local authority must post a permanent sign at an equestrian road crossing.
The division of local government in the department of local affairs is given the duty of educating sheriffs and local law enforcement of these trail and road provisions. The department of revenue is given the duty of adopting rules to add the road provisions to driver's education curricula.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 3, Line 1SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 3, Line 2(a) The equestrian community in Colorado is a vibrant and valued
Page 3, Line 3segment of the state's cultural heritage and recreational activities, utilizing the state's roads, trails, and public lands;
Page 3, Line 4(b) Equestrians play a critical role in Colorado's tourism, rural and
Page 3, Line 5suburban economies, and broader agricultural and recreational industries, driving economic growth and supporting job creation across the state;
Page 3, Line 6(c) The 2023 American Horse Council impact study estimates over 180,000 horses are housed on 430,700 acres in the state;
Page 3, Line 7(d) The economic effects in the United States of the equestrian
Page 3, Line 8recreational sector include direct employment in 277,716 jobs, total
Page 3, Line 9employment in 466,969 jobs, and a direct contribution to the economy of $14.548 billion;
Page 3, Line 10(e) The economic effects in the United States of the equestrian
Page 3, Line 11competition sector include direct employment in 301,527 jobs, total
Page 3, Line 12employment in 486,820 jobs, and direct contribution to the economy of $15.628 billion;
Page 3, Line 13(f) The economic effects in the United States of the equestrian
Page 3, Line 14racing sector include direct employment in 312,484 jobs, total
Page 3, Line 15employment in 491,232 jobs, and a direct contribution to the economy of $16.049 billion;
Page 3, Line 16(g) A 2017 American Horse Council impact study breakout for Colorado estimated:
Page 3, Line 17(I) Horse ownership, equine institutions and profit-making
Page 3, Line 18organizations, and tourism spending by participants and spectators
Page 3, Line 19combine for a $3.1 billion economic impact;
Page 4, Line 1(II) Approximately 676,000 households in Colorado contain horse
Page 4, Line 2enthusiasts, and for every horse-owning household, 22 other households
Page 4, Line 3contain horse enthusiasts who participate in activities, events, or support of the industry;
Page 4, Line 4(III) 220,000 households participate in trail riding, with 87 percent
Page 4, Line 5utilizing public lands, and 187,000 households participated in equestrian
Page 4, Line 6lessons; moreover, an additional 33 percent of participants who trail ride in Colorado are from out of state;
Page 4, Line 7(IV) The equestrian recreational sector supports 16,712 jobs with a total economic contribution of $1.49 billion to the state economy;
Page 4, Line 8(V) The equestrian competition sector supports 6,796 jobs with a total economic contribution of $589 million to the state economy;
Page 4, Line 9(VI) The equestrian racing sector supports 1,612 jobs with a total economic contribution of $93 million to the state economy;
Page 4, Line 10(VII) The equine therapy sector supports 262 jobs with a total economic impact of $11.3 million; and
Page 4, Line 11(VIII) Equine rescue and sanctuaries support 42 jobs with a total economic impact of $1.9 million;
Page 4, Line 12(h) Equestrian activities are vital to Colorado's communities,
Page 4, Line 13providing opportunities for outdoor recreation that promote physical health, mental well-being, and the preservation of open spaces;
Page 4, Line 14(i) Colorado's growing population has increased the presence of
Page 4, Line 15equestrians on roadways and trails, yet riders face significant safety risks
Page 4, Line 16due to inadequate infrastructure, lack of designated roadways, and unclear or conflicting regulations;
Page 4, Line 17(j) The absence of specific legislative protections and
Page 4, Line 18infrastructure for equestrians has led to conflicts with motorized traffic, resulting in accidents, injuries, and fatalities for both riders and drivers;
Page 5, Line 1(k) Existing traffic laws and systems fail to address the unique
Page 5, Line 2needs of equestrians, including wide-passing zones, safe crossings, properly designated parking, and staging areas for equestrian activities;
Page 5, Line 3(l) Public safety and equitable access to recreation are essential to
Page 5, Line 4Colorado's commitment to fostering a harmonious environment for all
Page 5, Line 5road users, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians, while protecting diverse outdoor activities; and
Page 5, Line 6(m) Enhancing the safety, access, and recognition of the
Page 5, Line 7equestrian community supports Colorado's commitment to protecting
Page 5, Line 8diverse outdoor activities, responsibly using public lands, and fostering mutual respect among all users.
Page 5, Line 9(2) Now, therefore, the general assembly of the state of Colorado
Page 5, Line 10declares that it is necessary and in the public interest to enact legislation to:
Page 5, Line 11(a) Ensure representation of the equestrian community in
Page 5, Line 12transportation, recreational, and land-use planning by establishing equestrian zones;
Page 5, Line 13(b) Implement a "pass wide and slow" policy for vehicles
Page 5, Line 14approaching or passing equestrians on roadways to enhance safety for riders, drivers, and cyclists;
Page 5, Line 15(c) Establish clear standards for equestrian road crossings to
Page 5, Line 16provide safe and designated transitions between trails, parks, and public roads;
Page 5, Line 17(d) Develop designated equestrian parking zones and trail heads with facilities for horse trailers and safe staging areas; and
Page 5, Line 18(e) Promote public awareness to educate drivers, cyclists, and other road users about the safety needs and rights of equestrians.
Page 6, Line 1(3) The general assembly further declares that, by enacting this
Page 6, Line 2legislation, the state of Colorado will take meaningful steps toward
Page 6, Line 3fostering a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable transportation and
Page 6, Line 4recreational environment for the equestrian community, while
Page 6, Line 5contributing to the preservation and enjoyment of the state's outdoor traditions.
Page 6, Line 6SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-33.5-231 as follows:
Page 6, Line 724-33.5-231. Chief - equestrian - education.The chief may
Page 6, Line 8educate county sheriffs and other law enforcement agencies about equestrian zones and equestrian safety.
Page 6, Line 9SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-11-133 as follows:
Page 6, Line 1030-11-133. Construction and maintenance of equestrian
Page 6, Line 11facilities. (1) (a) A county may construct and maintain equestrian
Page 6, Line 12road crossings or horse-trailer parking necessary to access
Page 6, Line 13equestrian trails. Equestrian road crossings may be used by
Page 6, Line 14other pedestrians and need not contain infrastructure not normally used for pedestrian road crossings.
Page 6, Line 15(b) A county may require a person that is developing land
Page 6, Line 16for residential or commercial use to construct equestrian road
Page 6, Line 17crossings, horse-trailer parking, or equestrian-safety road improvements in order to obtain the necessary permits.
Page 6, Line 18(c) A county may install signs, in accordance with section
Page 6, Line 1930-28-141, that notify the public of equestrian road crossings,
Page 6, Line 20horse-trailer parking, or equestrian-safety road improvements.
Page 7, Line 1(2) A county may identify locations where equestrian
Page 7, Line 2road crossings are needed to safely use horse trails. When a
Page 7, Line 3location is identified, the county may construct and maintain the equestrian road crossing. The crossing must:
Page 7, Line 4(a) Have appropriate signs notifying road users of the equestrian crossing; and
Page 7, Line 5(b) Be clearly marked on the road.
Page 7, Line 6(3) A county shall obtain the permission of the
Page 7, Line 7department of transportation to construct an equestrian
Page 7, Line 8facility described in subsection (1) of this section on a state highway or a right-of-way for a state highway.
Page 7, Line 9SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-28-106, add (9) as follows:
Page 7, Line 1030-28-106. Master plan - definitions. (9) (a) As used in this subsection (9):
Page 7, Line 11(I) "Equestrian" has the meaning set forth in section 31-23-206(9)(a)(I).
Page 7, Line 12(II) "Equestrian zone" means an area that a county determines is suburban or urban and contains:
Page 7, Line 13(A) An equestrian fairground, public equestrian riding arena, public equestrian center, or public riding trail;
Page 7, Line 14(B) An equestrian-centric residential neighborhood
Page 7, Line 15where equestrians regularly ride and that was zoned in such a
Page 7, Line 16manner as to allow housing privately owned equines but is now
Page 7, Line 17being developed for primarily residential use or that is zoned in such a manner as to allow housing privately owned equines;
Page 7, Line 18(C) A keystone property; or
Page 8, Line 1(D) Roads or trails that equestrians use and that are
Page 8, Line 2related to an area described in subsections (9)(a)(II)(A) to (9)(a)(II)(C) of this section.
Page 8, Line 3(III) "Keystone property" means a property that has at least one of the following equestrian facilities:
Page 8, Line 4(A) Boarding facilities that provide housing for equines,
Page 8, Line 5training for equestrians, or equine service and education programs;
Page 8, Line 6(B) Equine stables that facilitate animal welfare rescue programs or equine therapy programs;
Page 8, Line 7(C) Breeding facilities for equines; or
Page 8, Line 8(D) Nonpublic equestrian venues that provide services to the equestrian community.
Page 8, Line 9(IV) "Suburban or urban" means the population and
Page 8, Line 10traffic density are sufficient to cause significant and regular
Page 8, Line 11interactions between equestrians and motor vehicles or other residents.
Page 8, Line 12(b) A county planning commission may identify and show
Page 8, Line 13on the master plan the location of and character of existing or
Page 8, Line 14proposed equestrian infrastructure, venues, and equestrian zones.
Page 8, Line 16(c) A county may organize public events to educate the
Page 8, Line 17public about equestrian use of recreational trails and roads
Page 8, Line 18and the duties of users of trails and roads with regard to
Page 8, Line 19equestrian users. A county may partner with local horse
Page 8, Line 20advocacy groups to educate the public about these matters or to hold the public events.
Page 9, Line 1SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-28-141 as follows:
Page 9, Line 230-28-141. Equestrian map and signs. (1) A county may
Page 9, Line 3publish a map showing the location of and character of existing
Page 9, Line 4or proposed equestrian infrastructure. The map may be published on the county's website. The map must include:
Page 9, Line 5(a) Equestrian venues, including fairgrounds, equestrian parks, public arenas, and riding schools;
Page 9, Line 6(b) Equestrian trail infrastructure, including trails, designated trailer parking, and access points to trails;
Page 9, Line 7(c) Equestrian-designated road crossings; and
Page 9, Line 8(d) Equestrian zones, as defined in section 30-28-106 (9)(a)(II).
Page 9, Line 9(2) A county may post road signs bearing the universal
Page 9, Line 10equestrian sign symbol and the words "wide and slow" on roads
Page 9, Line 11determined to be equestrian zones in accordance with section 30-28-106 (9)(a)(II).
Page 9, Line 12SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 31-15-717 as follows:
Page 9, Line 1331-15-717. Construction and maintenance of equestrian
Page 9, Line 14facilities - exception. (1) (a) A municipality may construct and
Page 9, Line 15maintain equestrian road crossings or horse-trailer parking
Page 9, Line 16necessary to access equestrian trails. Equestrian road
Page 9, Line 17crossings may be used by other pedestrians and need not contain
Page 9, Line 18infrastructure not normally used for pedestrian road
Page 9, Line 19crossings.
Page 10, Line 1(b) A municipality may require a person that is developing
Page 10, Line 2land for residential or commercial use to construct equestrian
Page 10, Line 3road crossings, horse-trailer parking, or equestrian-safety road improvements in order to obtain the necessary permits.
Page 10, Line 4(c) A municipality may install signs, in accordance with
Page 10, Line 5section 31-23-228, that notify the public of equestrian road
Page 10, Line 6crossings, horse-trailer parking, or equestrian-safety road improvements.
Page 10, Line 7(2) A municipality may identify locations where
Page 10, Line 8equestrian road crossings are needed to safely use horse trails.
Page 10, Line 9When a location is identified, the municipality may construct and maintain the equestrian road crossing. The crossing must:
Page 10, Line 10(a) Have appropriate signs notifying road users of the equestrian crossing; and
Page 10, Line 11(b) Be clearly marked on the road.
Page 10, Line 12(3) A municipality shall obtain the permission of the
Page 10, Line 13department of transportation to construct an equestrian
Page 10, Line 14facility described in subsection (1) of this section on a state highway or a right-of-way for a state highway.
Page 10, Line 15SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 31-23-228 as follows:
Page 10, Line 1631-23-228. Equestrian map and signs. (1) A municipality may
Page 10, Line 17publish a map showing the location of and character of existing
Page 10, Line 18or proposed equestrian infrastructure. The map may be published on the municipality's website. The map must include:
Page 10, Line 19(a) Equestrian venues, including fairgrounds, equestrian
Page 10, Line 20parks, public arenas, and riding schools;
Page 11, Line 1(b) Equestrian trail infrastructure, including trails, designated trailer parking, and access points to trails;
Page 11, Line 2(c) Equestrian-designated road crossings; and
Page 11, Line 3(d) Equestrian zones, as defined in section 31-23-206(9)(a)(II).
Page 11, Line 4(2) A municipality may post road signs bearing the
Page 11, Line 5universal equestrian sign symbol and the words "wide and slow"
Page 11, Line 6on roads determined to be equestrian zones in accordance with section 31-23-206(9)(a)(II).
Page 11, Line 7SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-23-206, add (9) as follows:
Page 11, Line 831-23-206. Master plan - definitions. (9) (a) As used in this subsection (9):
Page 11, Line 9(I) (A) "Equestrian" means an individual who is riding a horse, leading a horse, or riding in a vehicle drawn by a horse.
Page 11, Line 10(B) "Equestrian" includes the horse being ridden, being
Page 11, Line 11led, or drawing a vehicle, as each are described in subsection(9)(a)(I)(A)of this section.
Page 11, Line 12(II) "Equestrian zone" means an area that a municipality determines is suburban or urban and contains:
Page 11, Line 13(A) An equestrian fairground, public equestrian riding arena, public equestrian center, or public riding trail;
Page 11, Line 14(B) An equestrian-centric residential neighborhood
Page 11, Line 15where equestrians regularly ride and that was zoned in such a
Page 11, Line 16manner as to allow housing privately owned equines but is now
Page 11, Line 17being developed for primarily residential use or that is zoned in
Page 11, Line 18such a manner as to allow housing privately owned equines;
(C) A keystone property; or
Page 12, Line 1(D) Roads or trails that equestrians use and that are
Page 12, Line 2related to an area described in subsections(9)(a)(II)(A) to (9)(a)(II)(C)of this section.
Page 12, Line 3(III) "Keystone property" means a property that has at least one of the following equestrian facilities:
Page 12, Line 4(A) Boarding facilities that provide housing for equines,
Page 12, Line 5training for equestrians, or equine service and education programs;
Page 12, Line 6(B) Equine stables that facilitate animal welfare rescue programs or equine therapy programs;
Page 12, Line 7(C) Breeding facilities for equines; or
Page 12, Line 8(D) Nonpublic equestrian venues that provide services to the equestrian community.
Page 12, Line 9(IV) "Suburban or urban" means the population and
Page 12, Line 10traffic density are sufficient to cause significant and regular
Page 12, Line 11interactions between equestrians and motor vehicles or other residents.
Page 12, Line 12(b) A municipality with a master plan may identify and
Page 12, Line 13show on the master plan the location of and character of
Page 12, Line 14existing or proposed equestrian infrastructure, venues, and equestrian zones.
Page 12, Line 16(c) A municipality may organize public events to educate
Page 12, Line 17the public about equestrian use of recreational trails and roads
Page 12, Line 18and the duties of users of trails and roads with regard to
Page 12, Line 19equestrian users. A municipality may partner with local horse
Page 13, Line 1advocacy groups to educate the public about these matters or to hold the public events.
Page 13, Line 2SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-805, amend (1) as follows:
Page 13, Line 342-4-805. Pedestrians walking or traveling in a wheelchair on
Page 13, Line 4highways. (1) Pedestrians walking or traveling in a wheelchair along and
Page 13, Line 5upon highways where sidewalks are not provided shall walk or travel only
Page 13, Line 6on a road shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.
Page 13, Line 7Where neither a sidewalk nor road shoulder is available, any pedestrian
Page 13, Line 8walking or traveling in a wheelchair along and upon a highway shall walk
Page 13, Line 9or travel as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and,
Page 13, Line 10in the case of a two-way roadway, shall walk or travel only on the left
Page 13, Line 11side of the roadway facing traffic that may approach from the opposite direction; except that:
Page 13, Line 12(a)
any personPage 13, Line 13on either side of
suchPage 13, Line 14(b) An individual riding or leading a horse may travel on the right side of the road with the direction of traffic.
Page 13, Line 16SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-2-603, amend (3) as follows:
Page 13, Line 1742-2-603. Rules. (3) In adopting the rules, the department shall:
Page 13, Line 18(a) Use the guidelines concerning commercial driving schools
Page 13, Line 19
promulgatedPage 13, Line 20(b) Include in the curricula guidelines for sharing the
Page 14, Line 1road with equestrians that include, when sharing the road with equestrians, the advice that the driver:
Page 14, Line 2(I) Proceed with due care and caution to avoid causing injury to the equestrian;
Page 14, Line 3(II) Not exceed ten miles per hour; and
Page 14, Line 4(III) (A) Maintain at least six feet of distance from the
Page 14, Line 5equestrian when passing unless traffic conditions make it impossible to maintain six feet of distance; or
Page 14, Line 6(B) Maintain as much distance as possible from the
Page 14, Line 7equestrian if traffic conditions make it impossible to maintain six feet of distance.
Page 14, Line 8SECTION 11. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 14, Line 9applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following
Page 14, Line 10the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the
Page 14, Line 11general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant
Page 14, Line 12to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an
Page 14, Line 13item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item,
Page 14, Line 14section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 14, Line 15general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 14, Line 16effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
Page 14, Line 17(2) This act applies to offenses committed on or after the applicable effective date of this act.