Almost everyone uses a vehicle in some way to enjoy their Public Lands and part of our job is to try to make sure the public has access to these lands.  But if used carelessly, vehicles can also damage the very resources visitors come to enjoy.  So as part of our management we define the things that can and cannot be done with vehicles on public land.  Decisions on Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) designations on BLM administered public lands are typically made through the land use planning process. During this process we work with the public to try to understand and weigh all the competing interests that are affected by vehicle use.  All lands managed by BLM are then placed into one of 3 broad types of OHV designations - Open, Limited or Closed. Within the Limited category there can be several types of limitations. OHVs can be Limited to Existing Routes, Limited to Designated Routes or Limited Seasonally.

In the Gunnison Basin all of our areas are either Limited to Existing Routes, Limited to Designated Routes, Limited Seasonally or Closed.  There is no BLM land in the Gunnison Basin that is designated as Open. Each of the categories is explained below:

Limited to Existing Routes (387,620 acres or 66.2% of the lands we manage) - in these areas motorized vehicle use along with mountain bikes and other wheeled vehicles may be operated on routes that were in existence as of January 2001 and are receiving regular enough use to be obvious as a travel route. See this link for more information and pictures to help you understand what qualifies as an existing route. 

Limited to Designated Routes (115,217 acres or 19.7% of the lands we manage) - use by vehicles is restricted to specific routes as defined in the appropriate land use plan. These are usually portrayed on maps available to the public so there is no question about which routes are designated.

Limited Seasonally (28,275 acres or 4.8% of the lands we manage) - these lands west of Gunnison and north of Highway 50 are usually Limited to Existing Routes but may be closed to vehicles during some times of the year to protect other values such as critical big game winter range during severe winters.  In addition, many of our roads are closed for a few weeks every spring until the snow melts and the roads dry out so vehicle use on wet roads does not cause serious damage.

Closed - (56,299 acres or 9.6% of the lands we manage) - motorized vehicle and mountain bike use by the public is not allowed.

These rules are shown on our Interagency map called the Gunnison Basin Public Lands Map which shows where public lands are, the location of many roads and trails and what the vehicle designations are for land managed by the BLM, Forest Service, Park Service and Division of Wildlife.  If you travel in other areas be sure to check with the local Land Manager's office to determine what the designations are for that area.

Colorado State Law Regarding OHV Registration and Use

The use of OHVs on public lands is subject to Colorado law.

Licensed, street-legal vehicles and motorcycles - No additional registration is required.

Unlicensed OHVs (such as off road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies etc):

• Colorado resident
  • the OHV must be registered with Colorado Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

• Out-of-State resident
  • You must register the vehicle with the Colorado Department of Parks and Outdoor Recreation whether the OHV is registered in your state of residence or not.  This is a recent change that was implemented early in 2008.

You can register your OHV or snowmobile at our office at 216 N. Colorado St. in Gunnison. 

If you live in Colorado click here, to renew your Off-Highway Vehicle Registration, Snowmobile Registration or Boat Registration online.

If you live OUTSIDE of Colorado click here, to purchase your Non-Resident Off-Highway Vehicle Permit or Snowmobile Permit online.

The fees generated by registering unlicensed vehicles go into a State OHV Fund that is used to build and maintain riding opportunities in the State.  The registration process also enables law enforcement to track stole vehicles and return them to their owners.

Licensed, street legal vehicles can be used on all State Highways, County roads and legal public access roads on public lands. 

Unlicensed but Registered OHVs such as ATVs and dirt bikes cannot be driven on State Highways.  They may be driven on some County roads if the individual County has passed an ordinance allowing such use.

No vehicles may be driven on private land unless you have the permission of the owner or there is a public access easement on the road.  A landowner is not required to fence or sign their property to warn you against trespassing.  It is your responsibility as a recreationist to know where you are and avoid private land unless you have permission. 

Created by the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado
Contact: Arden Anderson
Last modified: July 28, 2008