Off-Highway Vehicle and Snowmobile
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A boy on an OHV, driving on a dirt trail.
Off-Highway Vehicle and Snowmobile
Find a Motorized Trail
Discover and explore Colorado’s unique trail experiences with the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX). COTREX offers the most comprehensive trail map available for the state. Built using data from over 230 trail managers, COTREX has information about nearly 45,000 miles of trails in one easy to find place. Use COTREX on the web or download the app.
Riding in Colorado
Register an Off-Highway Vehicle
Off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles operated on public land or trails in Colorado must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Required Equipment
Snowmobiles operated on public land or trails in Colorado must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. In addition, all vehicles must have the following:
- Operable brakes
- Muffler
- U.S. Forest Service-approved spark arrestor
- 1 working headlight
- 1 red tail light
Youth
Anyone between the ages of 10 and 16 who wishes to operate a snowmobile on public lands must be certified or supervised by someone who is certified and 18 years or older.
Take a Safety Course
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers snowmobile and avalanche safety courses. These are essential for anyone who would like to be certified. They are also recommended for anyone interested in brushing up on winter outdoor safety skills.
Snowmobile Safety Course
This free course provides six hours of classroom instruction and one hour of performance testing on a snowmobile. Certificates in snowmobile safety are awarded upon successful completion of a Colorado Parks and Wildlife-approved training course.
Find a Course
Avalanche Safety Course
Be smart and safe on your snowmobile this winter. If you plan to snowmobile, CPW strongly recommends you take an avalanche safety course. To find one, view the Colorado Parks and Wildlife calendar or search the Colorado Snowmobile Association (CSA) website.
Find a CourseOHV and Snowmobile Safety
Accidents
Snowmobile and off-highway vehicle operators who get into an accident must report it to local law enforcement and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
If you are in an accident resulting in property damage of $1,500 or more, or injuries resulting in hospitalization or death, you must report the accident to a law enforcement agency and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. OHV and snowmobile operators who do not report accidents are guilty of a class 2 petty offense and upon conviction can be punished by a fine of $75.
You must report the accident within 48 hours to an officer of the Colorado State Patrol, the sheriff’s office of the county where the accident occurred, or to the police department of the city where the accident occurred.
You must also complete the OHV/Snowmobile Accident Reporting Form and fax or mail the form to:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
OHV Program Manager/Snowmobile Program Manager
13787 S. Highway 85, Littleton, CO 80125
Fax: 303-470-0782
Phone: 303-791-1954
Video: Moose Attacks Are Increasing - CPW
Living with Wildlife
Don't Harass Wildlife on Trails
Moose are often seen on snowmobile and OHV trails. Moose are not frightened by vehicles and will stand their ground and possibly charge.
- If you encounter a moose on a trail, use an alternate route or allow the moose time to leave the area.
- Do not chase, harass or pursue wildlife on foot, a snowmobile or any other vehicle.
If you see a violation of this rule, report it to the nearest law enforcement officer.
Plan Ahead
Know Before You Go
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Closures
Closures of areas can change quickly (even daily or hourly), and your outdoor destination or access route may be affected. Before heading out, learn about closures and plan alternative routes. Check COTREX or contact the local land management agency for the most up-to-date closures.
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Ride only on Routes Open to Your Vehicle
In Colorado, brown signs with white graphics are used, and on lands managed by the Forest Service, maps designate which trails are open to which types of vehicles. A red slash across a sign indicates a trail is closed to that type of vehicle. Signs can be damaged or go missing, so it is important to have the most current motor vehicle use maps during your trip.
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Stay on the Trail
It’s important to stay on the designated trail in order to minimize avalanche danger and to keep from getting lost. Especially in the dark, you may think you know the way, but riders can quickly become turned around and end up in dangerous areas.
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Avalanche Safety
Before you head out, check the latest avalanche forecast!
- Check the CAIC avalanche forecast and plan backcountry travel accordingly.
- Take avalanche training.
- Carry all required safety gear. Make sure you and every member of your group carry an avalanche-rescue transceiver, a probe pole, and a shovel, and be sure you know how to use this equipment.