COLORADO — A bill signed on March 20 by Gov. Bill Ritter allows Colorado Division of Wildlife officers to enforce and issue citations to vehicle operators who violate motorized vehicle regulations on federal public lands.

“Our officers will certainly use substantial discretion during the early stages in carrying out this enforcement,” said chief of law enforcement for the CDOW Rob Firth. “It’s going to take some time to get signs in place and for people to have access to updated maps and information.”

House Bill 1069 is the result of many people coming together in an effort to preserve public lands in Colorado. It addresses the growing problem of unauthorized motor vehicle use in prohibited areas, according to DOW director Tom Remington.

“We look forward to assisting federal agencies in enforcement on public lands,” Remington said.

The measure specifies that DOW officers, along with other state law enforcement officers, will now be allowed to enforce motorized vehicle restrictions on public lands. Officers can now issue tickets in the field to those who violate motorized vehicle laws.

“We recognize that motorized vehicles have a substantial role in enhancing outdoor recreation in many areas of the state,” Firth said. “This legislation gives us the ability to act when it comes to the most blatant violators such as when sensitive habitat is harmed or when hunters or outdoor enthusiasts have their activities interfered with by those who knowingly violate the regulations in place.”

Penalties established for those who violate regulations include a misdemeanor charge and fine of $100. If violation occurs while a person is hunting, fishing or trapping, 10 suspension points would also be assessed against their hunting/fishing privileges. Violations committed within federal wilderness areas would result in a misdemeanor and stiffer penalties, including a $200 fine and 15 suspension points on a wildlife license.

People caught removing, destroying or defacing any sign related to motorized vehicle regulations will be charged with a misdemeanor and face a $100 fine with a suspension of five points from their wildlife license.

Ranchers, law enforcement officers and others with the authorization to operate a motor vehicle on federal public land are exempt from these regulations.