A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning kei vehicles.
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.)
A kei vehicle is the smallest road-legal, 4-wheeled vehicle in Japan and is imported into the United States as a used vehicle. The bill defines a kei vehicle as a motor vehicle for the purposes of the "Uniform Motor Vehicle Law" and the "Certificate of Title Act". These acts govern issuing a certificate of title, registering a motor vehicle, and the rules of the road for motor vehicles. The bill authorizes a kei vehicle to operate on the roads and requires a kei vehicle to be issued a certificate of title, be registered, and obey motor vehicle traffic laws.
Driving a kei vehicle on a roadway that has a speed limit greater than 55 miles per hour or on a limited-access highway is prohibited.
For emissions testing, a kei vehicle is tested not using a dynamometer but using a 2-speed idle test. The vehicle must pass the emissions standards for the year it was manufactured.
The department of revenue, the Colorado state patrol, and the agents or contractors of these agencies may not require a vehicle to have an inspection because it is a kei vehicle or has the design or manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle. And a kei vehicle may not be declared not roadworthy because of its design or manufacturing parameters.
This Unofficial Version Includes Committee
Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 10-4-601, amend (6) as follows:
Page 2, Line 310-4-601. Definitions. As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 4(6) "Motor vehicle" means a "motor vehicle", a "kei vehicle",
Page 2, Line 5and a "low-power scooter", as
botharePage 2, Line 6in section 42-1-102;
C.R.S.;Page 2, Line 7a toy vehicle, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, or vehicle designed primarily for use on rails.
Page 2, Line 8SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-1-102, amend (58)(a); and add (45.3) as follows:
Page 2, Line 942-1-102. Definitions. As used in articles 1 to 4 of this title 42, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 10(45.3) (a) "Kei vehicle" means a vehicle that:
Page 2, Line 11(I) Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a
Page 2, Line 12displacement of one thousand cubic centimeters or less or an electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;
Page 2, Line 13(II) Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;
(III) Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;
Page 3, Line 1(IV) Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;
Page 3, Line 2(V) Has a top speed of approximately fifty-five miles per hour;
Page 3, Line 3(VI) Has an enclosed passenger cab;
(VII) Was imported into the United States; and
Page 3, Line 4(VIII) Is at least twenty-five years old.
Page 3, Line 5(b) "Kei vehicle" includes a vehicle that was titled as a kei vehicle in another state if it is at least twenty-five years old.
Page 3, Line 6(c) "Kei vehicle" does not include a vehicle that:
Page 3, Line 7(I) Is imported into the United States as an off-road vehicle; and
Page 3, Line 8(II) Has a permanent speed limiter installed before being
Page 3, Line 9imported into the United States, and the speed limiter is set to stop the vehicle from exceeding twenty-five miles per hour.
Page 3, Line 10(58) "Motor vehicle":
Page 3, Line 11(a) Means
anyPage 3, Line 12for travel on the public highways and that is generally and commonly
Page 3, Line 13used to transport persons and property over the public highways, a
Page 3, Line 14low-speed electric vehicle, a kei vehicle, or an autocycle; except that the
Page 3, Line 15term does not include electrical assisted bicycles, electric scooters,
Page 3, Line 16low-power scooters except as provided in subsection (58)(b) of this section, wheelchairs, or vehicles moved solely by human power;
Page 3, Line 17SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-109.7 as follows:
Page 3, Line 1842-4-109.7. Kei vehicles. (1) (a) A person shall not drive a
Page 4, Line 1kei vehicle on a roadway that has a speed limit greater than
Page 4, Line 2fifty-five miles per hour; except that a person may drive across
Page 4, Line 3a roadway with a speed limit greater than fifty-five miles per hour at an at-grade intersection.
Page 4, Line 4(b) A person shall not drive a kei vehicle on a limited-access highway.
Page 4, Line 5(2) A violation of this section is a class B traffic infraction.
Page 4, Line 6SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-304, amend (19)(b)(II) as follows:
Page 4, Line 742-4-304. Definitions relating to motor vehicle inspection and
Page 4, Line 8readjustment program. As used in sections 42-4-301 to 42-4-316, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 4, Line 9(19) (b) (II) Except as provided in section 42-4-310 (2)(a)(II),
Page 4, Line 10inspection procedures used by a motor vehicle dealer test facility pursuant
Page 4, Line 11to this
paragraph (b) shallPage 4, Line 12mode transient dynamometer test cycle in combination with appropriate idle short tests pursuant to rules
and regulationsPage 4, Line 13SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-309, amend (3)(b) as follows:
Page 4, Line 1442-4-309. Vehicle fleet owners - motor vehicle dealers -
Page 4, Line 15authority to conduct inspections - fleet inspection stations - motor
Page 4, Line 16vehicle dealer test facilities - contracts with licensed inspection-only
Page 4, Line 17entities. (3) (b) Within the enhanced emissions program, motor vehicle
Page 4, Line 18dealers licensed pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of title 44 may contract for
Page 4, Line 19used motor vehicle inspection services by a licensed motor vehicle dealer
Page 4, Line 20test facility. Except as provided in section 42-4-310 (2)(a)(II) and
Page 5, Line 1pursuant to rules of the commission, inspection procedures
shallPage 5, Line 2include a loaded mode transient dynamometer test cycle in combination with appropriate idle short tests.
Page 5, Line 3SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-310, amend (2)(a) as follows:
Page 5, Line 442-4-310. Periodic emissions control inspection required.
Page 5, Line 5(2) (a) (I) To determine whether a motor vehicle qualifies for
Page 5, Line 6issuance of a certification of emissions compliance, the emissions inspection required under this section
shallPage 5, Line 7(A) An analysis of
tail pipePage 5, Line 8(B)
After January 1, 1994, such inspection shall includePage 5, Line 9analysis of emissions control equipment, including on-board diagnostic
Page 5, Line 10systems, chlorofluorocarbons, and visible smoke emissions for the basic emissions program area and the enhanced emissions program area;
andPage 5, Line 11(C) Emissions testing that meets the performance standards set by
Page 5, Line 12federal requirements for the enhanced emissions program area by means
Page 5, Line 13of procedures specified by
regulationtoPage 5, Line 14
determine whether the motor vehicle qualifies for issuance of a certification of emissions compliance.Page 5, Line 15(D) For motor vehicles of the model year 1975 or later, not tested
Page 5, Line 16under a transient load on a dynamometer,
said inspection shall alsoPage 5, Line 17
includePage 5, Line 18(II) Notwithstanding subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section, a
Page 5, Line 19kei vehicle is not tested using a dynamometer. A kei vehicle must
Page 5, Line 20be tested using a two-speed idle test. To be issued a certificate
Page 5, Line 21of emissions compliance, a kei vehicle must pass the emissions standards for the model year it was manufactured.
Page 6, Line 1SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-5-202, add (5) as follows:
Page 6, Line 242-5-202. Vehicle identification number inspection. (5) The
Page 6, Line 3department of revenue, the agents of the department of
Page 6, Line 4revenue, the Colorado state patrol, the agents of the Colorado
Page 6, Line 5state patrol, or a person that has contracted with the
Page 6, Line 6department of revenue or the Colorado state patrol shall not
Page 6, Line 7require a vehicle to have an inspection because it is a kei vehicle,
Page 6, Line 8as defined in section 42-1-102 (45.3), or has the design or
Page 6, Line 9manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle, as defined in section
Page 6, Line 1042-1-102 (45.3). This subsection (5) applies for the purposes of both article 6 of this title 42 and part 3 of article 4 of this title 42.
Page 6, Line 11SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-6-102, amend
Page 6, Line 12(6.5), (10) introductory portion, (11.5)(b)(I) introductory portion, and (15); and add (6.6) and (6.7) as follows:
Page 6, Line 1342-6-102. Definitions. As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 6, Line 14(6.5)
"Kit vehicle" means a passenger-type motor vehiclePage 6, Line 15
assembled, by other than a licensed manufacturer, from a manufacturedPage 6, Line 16
kit that includes a prefabricated body and chassis and is accompanied byPage 6, Line 17
a manufacturer's statement of originPage 6, Line 18(6.6) "Kei off-road vehicle" means a vehicle that:
Page 6, Line 19(a) Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a
Page 6, Line 20displacement of one thousand cubic centimeters or less or an
Page 6, Line 21electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;
(b) Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;
Page 7, Line 1(c) Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;
Page 7, Line 2(d) Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;
Page 7, Line 3(e) Has an enclosed passenger cab;
Page 7, Line 4(f) Was imported into the United States as an off-road vehicle; and
Page 7, Line 5(g) Has a permanent speed limiter installed before being
Page 7, Line 6imported into the United States, and the speed limiter is set to stop the vehicle from exceeding twenty-five miles per hour.
Page 7, Line 7(6.7) "Kit vehicle" means a passenger-type motor vehicle
Page 7, Line 8assembled, by other than a licensed manufacturer, from a
Page 7, Line 9manufactured kit that includes a prefabricated body and
Page 7, Line 10chassis and is accompanied by a manufacturer's statement of origin.
Page 7, Line 11(10) "Motor vehicle" means
anyPage 7, Line 12designed primarily for travel on the public highways and is generally and
Page 7, Line 13commonly used to transport persons and property over the public
Page 7, Line 14highways, including autocycles, kei vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, and
Page 7, Line 15trailer coaches, without motive power. "Motor vehicle" does not include the following:
Page 7, Line 16(11.5) (b) (I) Except as described in subsection (11.5)(b)(II) of
Page 7, Line 17this section, "off-highway vehicle" includes
vehicles commonly knownPage 7, Line 18
asPage 7, Line 19(15) (a) "Roadworthy" means a condition in which a motor
Page 7, Line 20vehicle has sufficient power and is fit to operate on the roads and
Page 8, Line 1highways of this state after visual inspection by appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Page 8, Line 2(b) In order to be roadworthy,
suchPage 8, Line 3design and use,
shallPage 8, Line 4attached and functioning and
shallPage 8, Line 5(c)
For purposes of this subsection (15),Page 8, Line 6(I) "In accord with its design and use" precludes a kei
Page 8, Line 7vehicle from being declared to be not roadworthy based on its design or manufacturing parameters.
Page 8, Line 8(II) "Major parts and systems"
shall include, but not be limited to,Page 8, Line 9includes the body of a motor vehicle with related component parts,
Page 8, Line 10engine, transmission, tires, wheels, seats, exhaust, and brakes and all other equipment required by Colorado law for the particular vehicle.
Page 8, Line 11SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 44-20-102, amend (16); and add (12.5) as follows:
Page 8, Line 1244-20-102. Definitions. As used in this part 1, and in part 4 of this article 20, unless the context or section 44-20-402 otherwise requires:
Page 8, Line 13(12.5) "Kei road vehicle" means a "kei vehicle" as defined in section 42-1-102 (45.3).
Page 8, Line 14(16) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle intended primarily for
Page 8, Line 15use on the public highways that is self-propelled and every vehicle
Page 8, Line 16intended primarily for operation on the public highways that is not
Page 8, Line 17self-propelled but is designed to be attached to, become a part of, or be
Page 8, Line 18drawn by a self-propelled vehicle, not including farm tractors and other
Page 8, Line 19machines and tools used in the production, harvesting, and care of farm
Page 9, Line 1products. "Motor vehicle" includes a kei road vehicle or a low-power scooter or autocycle as either is defined in section 42-1-102.
Page 9, Line 2SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 44-20-131.5 as follows:
Page 9, Line 344-20-313.5. Kei road vehicles - no liability for manufacturing
Page 9, Line 4standards.A person licensed under this part 1 is not liable for
Page 9, Line 5any damages that are directly or indirectly attributable to
Page 9, Line 6selling a kei road vehicle that is not manufactured in accordance with United States federal safety standards.
Page 9, Line 7SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 44-20-402, amend (11)(b) and (11)(c); and add (6.5) and (11)(d) as follows:
Page 9, Line 844-20-402. Definitions. As used in this part 4, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 9, Line 9(6.5) "Kei off-road vehicle" means a vehicle that:
Page 9, Line 10(a) Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a
Page 9, Line 11displacement of one thousand cubic centimeters or less or an electrical motor of fifty-six thousand watts or less;
Page 9, Line 12(b) Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;
(c) Is one hundred forty inches or less in length;
Page 9, Line 13(d) Travels on four or more tires in contact with the ground;
Page 9, Line 14(e) Has an enclosed passenger cab;
Page 9, Line 15(f) Was imported into the United States as an off-road vehicle; and
Page 9, Line 16(g) Has a permanent speed limiter installed before being
Page 9, Line 17imported into the United States, and the speed limiter is set to
Page 9, Line 18stop the vehicle from exceeding twenty-five miles per hour.
(11) "Powersports vehicle" means any of the following:
Page 10, Line 1(b) A personal watercraft;
or(c) A snowmobile; or
Page 10, Line 2(d) A kei off-road vehicle.
Page 10, Line 3SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 44-20-432.5 as follows:
Page 10, Line 444-20-432.5. Kei off-road vehicles - no liability for
Page 10, Line 5manufacturing standards.A person licensed under this part 4 is
Page 10, Line 6not liable for any damages that are directly or indirectly
Page 10, Line 7attributable to selling a kei off-road vehicle that is not
Page 10, Line 8manufactured in accordance with United States federal safety standards.
Page 10, Line 9SECTION 13. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 10, Line 10applicability. (1) This act takes effect July 1, 2027; except that, if a
Page 10, Line 11referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the
Page 10, Line 12state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act
Page 10, Line 13within the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general
Page 10, Line 14assembly, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless
Page 10, Line 15approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect July 1, 2027.
Page 10, Line 16(2) This act applies to applications submitted or offenses committed on or after January 1, 2028.