Press Room

Bill to Help Western Slope Cities Utilize Low-Speed Electric Vehicles Passes Senate Today

Wednesday, February 8 2012

DENVER– Today, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 13, a bill sponsored by Senator Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass), to allow low-speed electric vehicles to travel safely on specific roadways up to 40 MPH.  Under current law, low-speed electric vehicles are limited to roadways of 35 MPH, restricting cities that are intersected by state highways with posted speeds of 40MPH from fully utilizing their fleet.  By adjusting speed limit limitations from 35 MPH to 40 MPH, this bill will help Western Slope communities like Rifle and Aspen to fully integrate their electric vehicles.

Senator Schwartz offered the following comment on Senate Bill 13 today:

“It’s a good day for Colorado’s communities as they have gained additional flexibility when dealing with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to solve local issues.  I am pleased to assist cities using electric vehicles as a solution to their transportation needs.”

Mike Braaten, Government Affairs Coordinator for the City of Rifle, offered the following support for Senate Bill 13 today:

“The City of Rifle purchased a fleet of four low-speed electric vehicles in an effort to diversify its fleet and realize cost savings in fuel and vehicle maintenance, but due to the current speed limit law, it is impossible to fully access our community.  With the current limitation of 35 mph, our low-speed electric vehicles aren’t legally able to cross the CDOT-controlled bridge, posted at 40 mph, that serves to connect the portions of our city. We are grateful for Senator Schwartz’s willingness to pursue the issue which will help us, and other cities and towns in our shoes, to develop community-specific solutions.”

Senator Schwartz helped coordinate conversations between affected communities, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the State Patrol to build a consensus to develop SB12-013.