Woodland Park proposal would let police use off-highway vehicles on city streets
The council voted 7-0 to schedule an Oct. 1 hearing on a proposal authorizing police to use the vehicles for official duties, including patrol and search and rescue.
Woodland Park City Council voted 7-0 to advance a proposal allowing police to use off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on city streets for official duties. The council scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 1.
Proposed Ordinance 1535 would allow OHVs operated by the Woodland Park Police Department on all public streets under City Council jurisdiction while officers carry out police duties. It lists patrol, search and rescue, crowd control and other law-enforcement functions as examples. The proposal would not permit general public OHV use on city streets.
The ordinance’s findings say the department acquired a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) in May 2026 to reach rougher terrain, including trails and parks. The findings say that because Colorado law classifies a UTV as an OHV, the department would otherwise need to trailer it for each use.
The council’s Sept. 17 vote approved initial posting and scheduled the hearing; it was not final passage. If adopted, the ordinance would take effect upon publication as required by law.