From the plains and foothills to the high peaks of Colorado, your off-highway vehicle is your ride to many beautiful, scenic, and historic destinations.
Before your adventure begins, familiarize yourself with Colorado’s Off-Highway Vehicle Program, and its related information and brochures on this Website, to ensure your safety and enjoyment as a responsible rider.
New Sound Law
Effective July 1, 2010
What You Need To Know
To operate an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) in Colorado, the following sound limits must be met:
99 dB(A) if manufactured before 1/1/1998
96 dB(A() if manufactured after 1/1/1998
OHVs will be tested using the SAE J 1287 stationary 20" pipe test.
New OHVs sold in Colorado cannot exceed the 96 dB(A) sound standard (unless an OHV is designed for and used in a closed-course competition facility).
OHVs designed for and used in closed-course competition facilities may require modifications for sound and spark arrestor standards when operated outside of a closed-circuit course.
Not Sure?
Colorado State Parks, in conjunction with Stay The Trail, offer free sound testing for your OHV. Check www.staythetrail.org for more information.
Stationary Sound Test RPM Data Supplements from the Motorcycle Industry Council
1985 - 2005 MIC Stationary Sound RPM Test Supplement
2006 - 2009 MIC Stationary Sound RPM Test Supplement
For a copy of the 2006 Edition of the Stationary Sound Test Manual for Off-Highway Motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles (includes Test RPM data back to 1985) please call the Motorcycle Industry Council at 949-727-4211
Colorado residents registering a new vehicle, renewing a registration and non-residents seeking permits for out-of-state vehicles help fund trail maintenance and construction, trailheads, parking areas, trail signs, maps, and land acquisition. Off-highway recreation vehicles must be registered with Colorado State Parks’ Off-Highway Vehicle Program.
Staff listed below are not in the Registration Unit and can not access the Vehicle Registration System. For registration questions, information and assistance you must call the Registration Unit at 303-791-1920.
Agency Staff Contacts
Tom Metsa, OHV Program Manager
13787 S. Hwy. 85, Littleton, Colorado 80125
303.791.1957 X4132 thomas.metsa@state.co.us
Jeannie MacMurtrie, Program Assistant
13787 S. Hwy. 85, Littleton, Colorado 80125
303.791.1957 X4149 jeannie.macmurtrie@state.co.us
Ryan Crabb, State Trails Coordinator
13787 S. Hwy. 85
Littleton, CO 80125
303.791.1957 x4129 ryan.crabb@state.co.us
Randy Engle, State Trails Coordinator
P.O. Box 700, 361 32 Road, Clifton, Colorado 81520
970.434.6862 x221 randy.engle@state.co.us
Register Your OHV
Where to Ride
OHVs operated in Colorado need to be registered if you are a Colorado resident or permitted for nonresidents. For complete registration or permitting instructions, visit the
OHV Registration page.
Visit our
Where to Ride page to find new places to explore and experience with maps of Colorado’s OHV riding areas, and locations of land management offices.