Final
Agriculture and Transportation Issues
COMMITTEE ON
JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Votes:
Action Taken:
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07:34 AM
T. Wright Dickinson, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, Club 20, identified problems transporters of cattle in the state and across the state border. Specifically, he requested that larger load weight limits for all commercial vehicles in Colorado be increased similar to Utah and Montana weight limits. By increasing this limit, fuel and other costs will be reduced and reduce traffic congestion. He also requested that Colorado extend the "crop year" and agriculture commodities that pertains to federal exemptions for agriculture vehicles. He also urged an increase the weight limit on commercial motor vehicle weight limit and urged Colorado to enter into reciprocity agreements on with its neighboring states regarding regulation of agriculture vehicles.
07:49 AM
Brice Lee expressed concern about inconsistent vehicle regulations that apply to commercial agriculture operations and other vehicles on the highway.
07:52 AM
Committee discussion followed about prior Colorado legislation to address some of these issues that were postponed indefinitely. Mr. Wright spoke in support of limiting commercial vehicle regulations to contract haulers and not private farmers and ranchers.
07:57 AM
Jarred Koch, Colorado Farm Bureau, spoke in support of earlier comments and expressed concern about inconsistent enforcement of traffic regulation by counties in Colorado.
07:59 AM
Captain Scott Hernandez, Colorado State Patrol, described public education efforts regarding state and federal regulation of agriculture vehicles (see attachment A). He also explained that cross boarder traffic generally falls under federal jurisdiction such as hours of service, milage limits for commercial drivers license requirements.
07:59 AM
Jerry Pierce, Colorado Port of Entry, described the history of the port of entry program that includes 10 fixed facilities and 10 mobile facilities. It also enforces size and weight limits and safety requirements. He also explained that federal weight limits are 80,000 lbs on interstate highways and Colorado weight limit is 85,000 lbs.
08:12 AM
Mr. Hernandez explained that his office is working with the federal government to develop a comparison of state and federal agriculture vehicles. Committee discussion followed about the problem of inconsistent enforcement of traffic regulations by Colorado State Patrol officers, alternatives for increasing weight limits, and potential expansion of definitions of agriculture commodities.
08:21 AM
Mr. Dickinson returned to comment on proposed changes to weight limits and distribution.
08:24 AM
Mr. Pierce clarified weight and length limits on vehicles in Colorado and neighboring states. He explained that state limits were grandfathered when federal limits were changed that were above 80,000 lbs.