HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1841 - Vehicle Registrations
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER LARSON
Council Bill No. 08
Ordinance No. 1841
Series 2026
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 13 OF THE WHEAT RIDGE
CODE OF LAWS CONCERNING VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, BY ADDING A
NEW SECTION 13-7, CONCERNING THE VIOLATION OF VEHICLE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, TO ALLOW FOR THE CITATION OF
VEHICLE REGISTRATION VIOLATIONS INTO MUNICIPAL COURT
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, (“Wheat Ridge” or the “City”) is a
home rule municipality organized and existing under Article XX, Section 6 of the Colorado
Constitution; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to House Bill 25-1112, effective August 6, 2025,
municipalities are permitted to enforce violations of unregistered vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Section 42-4-110(1)(b), C.R.S., authorizes Colorado municipalities to
adopt by reference a model traffic code embodying the rules of the road and vehicle
requirements set forth in Article 4 of Title 42, C.R.S., and such additional local regulations as are provided for in Section 42-4-111, C.R.S.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge has adopted (and amended) the Model Traffic Code for Colorado, 2024 edition, as the uniform traffic code for the City; and
WHEREAS, Colorado House Bill 25-1112, by its amendment of C.R.S. Section 42-
4-110, has authorized Colorado municipalities to enforce state motor vehicle registration violations in their municipal courts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds, determines, and declares that the enforcement of state vehicle registration laws in the City’s Municipal Court will facilitate the
enforcement of such laws generally, and will improve the safety and welfare of the
citizens of the City.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHEAT
RIDGE, COLORADO:
Section 1. The recitals contained above are incorporated herein by reference and
are adopted as findings and determinations of the City Council.
Section 2. Section 13-7 of the Code of Laws, currently reserved for future use,
is hereby adopted to read as follows:
§ 13-7. Violation of Registration Provisions of Colorado Statutes.
(a) It is unlawful to commit any of the following acts:
(1) To operate or permit the operation, upon a public right-of-way, of a motor vehicle or trailer that is not registered
pursuant to the requirements of Title 42, Article 3 of
the Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, and does not display the number plates or validation
stickers issued for the vehicle or trailer for the current year, except for motor vehicles and trailers owned by
a licensed dealer or licensed manufacturer while
being held for sale or resale or while operated on the public right-of-way with dealer plates or depot tags
authorized pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes § 42-3-116, as amended;
(2) To display or permit to be displayed, to have in
possession, or to offer for sale a certificate of title, validation tab or sticker, or registration number plate
knowing the same to be fictitious or to have been stolen, cancelled, revoked, suspended, or altered; or
(3) To lend or knowingly permit the use by one not entitled
thereto a certificate of title, registration card, or registration number plate issued to the lending or
permitting person.
(b) A person who violates paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a) of
this section commits a class B traffic infraction, as defined by
Colorado statutes, and shall be penalized in an amount no greater than the penalty amount allowed by Colorado statutes
for such infractions. A person who violates paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor
traffic offense, as defined by Colorado statutes, and shall be
penalized in an amount no greater than the penalty amount allowed by Colorado statutes for such offenses.
Section 3. Severability, Conflicting Ordinances Repealed. If any section,
subsection or clause of this Ordinance shall be deemed to be unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid, the validity of the remaining sections, subsections and clauses shall
not be affected thereby. All other ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the
provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon adoption at
second reading, as permitted by Section 5.11 of the Charter.
INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED on first reading by a vote of 8 to 0 on this
23rd day of March 2026, ordered published in full on the City’s website as provided by the Home Rule Charter, and Public Hearing and consideration on final passage set for April
13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge,
Colorado.
READ, ADOPTED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED on second and final reading by a vote of 8 to 0, this 13th day of April 2026.
SIGNED by the Mayor on this 14th day of April 2026.
ATTEST:
Janeece Hoppe, City Clerk
Korey Stites, Mayor
Approved as to Form:
Gerald E. Dahl, City Attorney
First Publication: March 24, 2026
Second Publication: April 14, 2026 Effective Date: April 13, 2026
Published:
Jeffco Transcript and www.ci.wheatridge.co.us