Douglas County considers ordinance on scooters, off-highway vehicles

Douglas County commissioners moved to tighten rules on low-powered scooters and off-highway vehicles as county officials said complaints and safety concerns have climbed in unincorporated neighborhoods, on trails and on other public property. The board took first reading of the ordinance during its regular business meeting Tuesday at the Philip S. Miller Building in Castle Rock, with residents able to attend in person or watch live on the county’s YouTube channel.

The proposal would apply in unincorporated Douglas County and is aimed at motorized vehicles that county officials say are not legally permitted to operate like traditional bicycles. County leaders said the measure responds to growing safety concerns and an increase in incidents involving those vehicles on public roads, trails and other public property.

The draft was written in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, which would enforce the ordinance if commissioners approve it. It would establish local rules and penalties for unlawful operation, reckless driving and careless driving, along with helmet requirements for minors, parental responsibility in some situations and possible vehicle impoundment for violations.

County officials said the measure does not regulate electric bicycles, or e-bikes, which are classified separately under Colorado law and remain under existing state and local rules. The state defines a low-power scooter as a self-propelled vehicle with no more than three wheels, no manual clutch and either an engine of no more than 50cc or an electric motor up to 4,476 watts.

Colorado law also requires helmets for riders under 18 in low-power scooter situations and allows local governments to add their own rules on top of the state framework. The Colorado Department of Revenue says low-power scooters require registration for a three-year period, with a $5.49 fee effective July 1, 2025.

Douglas County said residents can review the full ordinance and submit feedback through the county webpage as the first reading process moves forward. Any final action would determine how the county polices scooter and off-highway vehicle use in the parts of Douglas County not covered by city rules.