NOTE: The governor signed this measure on 5/3/2012.
      
      
      SENATE BILL 12-013
      
      
      BY SENATOR(S) Schwartz, Aguilar, Cadman, Foster, Guzman, King S.,
      Lundberg, White, Williams S.;
      also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Jones, Fields, Fischer, Hullinghorst, Lee,
      Levy, Todd, Vigil, Williams A., Wilson, Young.
      
      
      Concerning low-speed electric vehicles.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-109.5, amend (1)
      as follows:
      
           42-4-109.5.  Low-speed electric vehicles. (1) (a)  A low-speed
      electric vehicle may be operated only on a roadway that has a speed limit
      equal to or less than thirty-five miles per hour; except that it may be
      operated to directly cross a roadway that has a speed limit greater than
      thirty-five miles per hour at an at-grade crossing to continue traveling along
      a roadway with a speed limit equal to or less than thirty-five miles per hour.
      
           (b)  Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this subsection (1), a
      low-speed electric vehicle may be operated on a state highway
      that has a speed limit equal to forty miles per hour or cross a
      roadway with a speed limit  equal to  forty miles per hour to cross
      at-grade, if:
      
           (I)  Such roadway's lane width is eleven feet or greater;
      
           (II)  Such roadway provides two or more lanes in either
      direction; and
      
           (III)  The department determines, in consultation with local
      government and law enforcement, upon the basis of a traffic
      investigation, survey, appropriate design standards, or projected
      volumes, that the operation of a low-speed electric vehicle on the
      roadway poses no substantial safety risk or hazard to motorists,
      bicyclists, pedestrians, or other persons.
      
           (c)  The department may waive the necessity of a traffic
      investigation or survey pursuant to section 42-4-1102 or may
      conduct a traffic investigation or survey to determine where
      low-speed electric vehicles can be driven safely on state
      highways or portions thereof. The department shall conduct this
      traffic investigation or survey using existing appropriations.
      
           SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-111, amend (1)
      (bb) (II) as follows:
      
           42-4-111.  Powers of local authorities. (1)  This article shall not be
      deemed to prevent local authorities, with respect to streets and highways
      under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police
      power, except those streets and highways that are parts of the state highway
      system that are subject to section 43-2-135, C.R.S., from:
      
           (bb)  Authorizing and regulating the operation of golf cars on
      roadways by resolution or ordinance of the governing body, if the
      authorization or regulation is consistent with this title and does not
      authorize:
      
           (II)  Operation of a golf car by a person under fourteen sixteen
      years of age; or
      
           SECTION 3.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Brandon C. Shaffer                      Frank McNulty
      PRESIDENT OF                     SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Cindi L. Markwell                      Marilyn Eddins
      SECRETARY OF                 CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    John W. Hickenlooper
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO