HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.017-08CITY OF ASPEN RESOLUTION NO. ~ Series of 2008
w- PITKIN COUNTY RESOLUTION NO.O.' ~ ,Series of 2008
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO,
REQUESTING THAT THE COLORADO STATE LEGISLATURE AMEND SECTION 42-4-
111(1)(aa)(I), C.R.S., TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO LICENSE AND REGISTER
NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTIONS.
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the Colorado State Legislature amended the
Colorado Uniform Motor Vehicle Law, effective August 7, 1997, to permit local municipalities to
authorize and regulate the operations of neighborhood electric vehicles on streets and highways
within their boundaries by resolution or ordinance of the governing body; and
WHEREAS, Section 42-4-111(1)(aa)(I), C.R.S., as adopted by the State Legislature
prohibits local authorities from registering or licensing neighborhood electric vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aspen and the Board of County
Commissioners of Pitkin County desire to promote the use and operation of neighborhood electric
vehicles (NEVs) within the corporate limits of the City of Aspen as they constitute a desirable new
form of transportation for many reasons:
• NEVs have a great safety record.
• NEVs aze zero emission electric vehicles.
• NEVs improve air quality.
• The energy consumption of an NEV is less than 1/5 that of a conventional
automobile.
• NEVs provide freedom and continued mobility for aging and impaired
drivers.
• NEVs are affordable.
• NEV s support the local economy by encouraging residents to shop locally.
• NEVs encourage use of existing public transportation.
and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aspen and the Board of County
Commissioners of Pitkin County have determined that the use and operation of neighborhood
electric vehicles on streets and highways within the corporate limits of the City of Aspen would be
beneficial and in the best interests of the City of Aspen; and
WHEREAS, new technologies have been developed for the manufacture of neighborhood
electric vehicles in recent yeazs and Colorado State law relating to neighborhood electric vehicles is
out of date and in need of amendment in order to bring it up to date with new Federal Regulations
governing Low Speed Vehicles including Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. The Colorado Uniform
Motor Vehicle Law was enacted prior to federal legislation designating aloes-speed motor vehicle
-~ category and prior to the popular emergence of NEVs. The City Council and Board of County
Commissioners are of the opinion that local authorities are in the best position to regulate the
operation of neighborhood electric vehicles within their boundaries and should, therefore, be
permitted to license and register those vehicles for use within their jurisdictions.
NOW, WHEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ASPEN, COLORADO, AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN
COUNTY, COLORADO:
Section One
That the Colorado State Legislature is encouraged to update the cun•ent Uniform Motor
Vehicle Law relating to the operation and regulation of neighborhood electric vehicles to encourage
their use in Colorado municipalities that properly regulate their operation; and, specifically, to
amend Section 42-4-111(1)(aa)(I) to read as follows:
(I) Local authorities are ^~^'~~'~~*°a ~^m nn4n~~:nH:~^ n °«fn F n 4~° w :nMn4:.~..
~.o =ice=xsi==g-af neighberhaed elee~is vehicles PERMITTED TO REGISTER
NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO OPERATE WITHIN THEIIZ
,TURISDICTIONS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
ELECTRIC VEHICLES SO REGISTERED MEET ALL SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT
STANDARDS FOR LOW SPEED VEHICLES AS DEFINED BY THE NATIONAL
HIGHWAY S~AF/ETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), 49 CFR Sec. 571.500.
Dated: c/ "(~Q~~ ~~ , 20~07,~.~/
Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
I, Kathryn S. Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a
true and accurate copy of tha~t+ resolution /a'dopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen,
Colorado, at a meeting held ,i ~(.~/c C ~/ ~!~ , 2007.
.~
Kathryn S. Ko ,City Clerk