Colorado 2025 Regular Session

Colorado House Bill HB1281 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1		First Regular Session
2	2		Seventy-fifth General Assembly
3	3		STATE OF COLORADO
4		-	~~REENGROSSED~~
5		-	This Version Includes All Amendments
6		-	~~Adopted~~ in the House of Introduction
	4	+	ENGROSSED
	5	+	This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
	6	+	on Second Reading in the House of Introduction
7	7		LLS NO. 25-0753.02 Jery Payne x2157
8	8		HOUSE BILL 25-1281
9	9		House Committees Senate Committees
10	10		Transportation, Housing & Local Government
11	11		Finance
12	12		Appropriations
13	13		A BILL FOR AN ACT
14	14		C
15	15		ONCERNING KEI VEHICLES .101
16	16		Bill Summary
17	17		(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
18	18		not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
19	19		passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
20	20		applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
21	21		http://leg.colorado.gov
22	22		.)
23	23		A kei vehicle is the smallest road-legal, 4-wheeled vehicle in Japan
24	24		and is imported into the United States as a used vehicle. The bill defines
25	25		a kei vehicle as a motor vehicle for the purposes of the "Uniform Motor
26	26		Vehicle Law" and the "Certificate of Title Act". These acts govern
27	27		issuing a certificate of title, registering a motor vehicle, and the rules of
28	28		the road for motor vehicles. The bill authorizes a kei vehicle to operate on
29	29		the roads and requires a kei vehicle to be issued a certificate of title, be
30	30		registered, and obey motor vehicle traffic laws.
31	31		HOUSE
32		-	3rd Reading Unamended
33		-	April 14, 2025
34		-	HOUSE
35	32		Amended 2nd Reading
36	33		April 11, 2025
37	34		HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
38		-	Lindstedt and Suckla, Barron, Boesenecker, Caldwell, Clifford, Froelich, Garcia, Lindsay,
39		-	Mabrey, Martinez, Rutinel, Valdez, Velasco, Weinberg
	35	+	Lindstedt and Suckla,
40	36		SENATE SPONSORSHIP
41	37		Hinrichsen and Pelton B.,
42	38		Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
43	39		Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
44	40		Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. Driving a kei vehicle on a roadway that has a speed limit greater
45	41		than 55 miles per hour or on a limited-access highway is prohibited.
46	42		For emissions testing, a kei vehicle is tested not using a
47	43		dynamometer but using a 2-speed idle test. The vehicle must pass the
48	44		emissions standards for the year it was manufactured.
49	45		The department of revenue, the Colorado state patrol, and the
50	46		agents or contractors of these agencies may not require a vehicle to have
51	47		an inspection because it is a kei vehicle or has the design or
52	48		manufacturing parameters of a kei vehicle. And a kei vehicle may not be
53	49		declared not roadworthy because of its design or manufacturing
54	50		parameters.
55	51		Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
56	52		SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 10-4-601, amend (6)2
57	53		as follows:3
58	54		10-4-601. Definitions. As used in this part 6, unless the context4
59	55		otherwise requires:5
60	56		(6) "Motor vehicle" means a "motor vehicle",
61	57		A "KEI VEHICLE",6
62	58		and a "low-power scooter", as both
63	59		EACH OF THESE terms are IS defined7
64	60		in section 42-1-102; C.R.S.; except that "motor vehicle" does not include8
65	61		a toy vehicle, snowmobile, off-highway vehicle, or vehicle designed9
66	62		primarily for use on rails.10
67	63		SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-1-102, amend11
68	64		(58)(a); and add (45.3) as follows:12
69	65		42-1-102. Definitions. As used in articles 1 to 4 of this title 42,13
70	66		unless the context otherwise requires:14
71	67		(45.3) "KEI VEHICLE" MEANS A VEHICLE THAT:15
72	68		(a) IS POWERED BY AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH A16
73	69		DISPLACEMENT OF ONE THOUSAND CUBIC CENTIMETERS OR LESS OR AN17
74	70		ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND WATTS OR LESS;18
75	71		(b) IS SIXTY-SEVEN INCHES OR LESS IN WIDTH;19
76	72		1281-2- (c) IS ONE HUNDRED FORTY INCHES OR LESS IN LENGTH;1
77	73		(d) TRAVELS ON FOUR OR MORE TIRES IN CONTACT WITH THE2
78	74		GROUND;3
79	75		(e) HAS A TOP SPEED OF AT LEAST FIFTY MILES PER HOUR;4
80	76		(f) HAS AN ENCLOSED PASSENGER CAB ;5
81	77		(g) WAS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES; AND6
82	78		(h) (I) WAS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD OR OLDER WHEN IMPORTED7
83	79		INTO THE UNITED STATES; OR8
84	80		(II) IS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD OR OLDER AND WAS PREVIOUSLY9
85	81		ISSUED A TITLE IN THE UNITED STATES.10
86	82		(58) "Motor vehicle":11
87	83		(a) Means any A self-propelled vehicle that is designed primarily12
88	84		for travel on the public highways and that is generally and commonly13
89	85		used to transport persons and property over the public highways, a14
90	86		low-speed electric vehicle,
91	87		A KEI VEHICLE, or an autocycle; except that the15
92	88		term does not include electrical assisted bicycles, electric scooters,16
93	89		low-power scooters except as provided in subsection (58)(b) of this17
94	90		section, wheelchairs, or vehicles moved solely by human power;18
95	91		SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-109.7 as19
96	92		follows:20
97	93		42-4-109.7. Kei vehicles. (1) (a) A
98	94		PERSON SHALL NOT DRIVE A21
99	95		KEI VEHICLE ON A ROADWAY THAT HAS A SPEED LIMIT GREATER THAN22
100	96		FIFTY-FIVE MILES PER HOUR; EXCEPT THAT A PERSON MAY DRIVE ACROSS23
101	97		A ROADWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT GREATER THAN FIFTY -FIVE MILES PER24
102	98		HOUR AT AN AT-GRADE INTERSECTION.25
103	99		(b) A
104	100		PERSON SHALL NOT DRIVE A KEI VEHICLE ON A26
105	101		LIMITED-ACCESS HIGHWAY.27
106	102		1281
107	103		-3- (2) A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION IS A CLASS B TRAFFIC1
108	104		INFRACTION.2
109	105		SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-304, amend3
110	106		(19)(b)(II) as follows:4
111	107		42-4-304. Definitions relating to motor vehicle inspection and5
112	108		readjustment program. As used in sections 42-4-301 to 42-4-316,6
113	109		unless the context otherwise requires:7
114	110		(19) (b) (II) E
115	111		XCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 42-4-310 (2)(a)(II),8
116	112		inspection procedures used by a motor vehicle dealer test facility pursuant9
117	113		to this paragraph (b) shall
118	114		SUBSECTION (19)(b) MUST include a loaded10
119	115		mode transient dynamometer test cycle in combination with appropriate11
120	116		idle short tests pursuant to rules and regulations of the commission.12
121	117		SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-309, amend13
122	118		(3)(b) as follows:14
123	119		42-4-309. Vehicle fleet owners - motor vehicle dealers -15
124	120		authority to conduct inspections - fleet inspection stations - motor16
125	121		vehicle dealer test facilities - contracts with licensed inspection-only17
126	122		entities. (3) (b) Within the enhanced emissions program, motor vehicle18
127	123		dealers licensed pursuant to part 1 of article 20 of title 44 may contract for19
128	124		used motor vehicle inspection services by a licensed motor vehicle dealer20
129	125		test facility. E
130	126		XCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 42-4-310 (2)(a)(II) AND21
131	127		pursuant to rules of the commission, inspection procedures shall
132	128		MUST22
133	129		include a loaded mode transient dynamometer test cycle in combination23
134	130		with appropriate idle short tests.24
135	131		SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-4-310, amend25
136	132		(2)(a) as follows:26
137	133		42-4-310. Periodic emissions control inspection required.27
138	134		1281
139	135		-4- (2) (a) (I) TO DETERMINE WHETHER A MOTOR VEHICLE QUALIFIES FOR1
140	136		ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATION OF EMISSIONS COMPLIANCE , the emissions2
141	137		inspection required under this section shall MUST include:3
142	138		(A) An analysis of tail pipe TAILPIPE and evaporative emissions;4
143	139		(B) After January 1, 1994, such inspection shall include An5
144	140		analysis of emissions control equipment, including on-board diagnostic6
145	141		systems, chlorofluorocarbons, and visible smoke emissions for the basic7
146	142		emissions program area and the enhanced emissions program area; and8
147	143		(C) Emissions testing that meets the performance standards set by9
148	144		federal requirements for the enhanced emissions program area by means10
149	145		of procedures specified by regulation RULE of the commission; to11
150	146		determine whether the motor vehicle qualifies for issuance of a12
151	147		certification of emissions compliance. AND13
152	148		(D) For motor vehicles of the model year 1975 or later, not tested14
153	149		under a transient load on a dynamometer, said inspection shall also15
154	150		include a visual inspection of emissions control equipment pursuant to16
155	151		rules of the commission.17
156	152		(II) N
157	153		OTWITHSTANDING SUBSECTION (2)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION, A18
158	154		KEI VEHICLE IS NOT TESTED USING A DYNAMOMETER . A KEI VEHICLE MUST19
159	155		BE TESTED USING A TWO-SPEED IDLE TEST. TO BE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE20
160	156		OF EMISSIONS COMPLIANCE, A KEI VEHICLE MUST PASS THE EMISSIONS21
161	157		STANDARDS FOR THE MODEL YEAR IT WAS MANUFACTURED .22
162	158		SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-5-202, add (5) as23
163	159		follows:24
164	160		42-5-202. Vehicle identification number inspection. (5) T
165	161		HE25
166	162		DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE , THE AGENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF26
167	163		REVENUE, THE COLORADO STATE PATROL, THE AGENTS OF THE COLORADO27
168	164		1281
169	165		-5- STATE PATROL, OR A PERSON THAT HAS CONTRACTED WITH THE1
170	166		DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OR THE COLORADO STATE PATROL SHALL NOT2
171	167		REQUIRE A VEHICLE TO HAVE AN INSPECTION BECAUSE IT IS A KEI VEHICLE,3
172	168		AS DEFINED IN SECTION 42-1-102 (45.3), OR HAS THE DESIGN OR4
173	169		MANUFACTURING PARAMETERS OF A KEI VEHICLE , AS DEFINED IN SECTION5
174	170		42-1-102
175	171		(45.3). THIS SUBSECTION (5) APPLIES FOR THE PURPOSES OF BOTH6
176	172		ARTICLE 6 OF THIS TITLE 42 AND PART 3 OF ARTICLE 4 OF THIS TITLE 42.7
177	173		SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-6-102, amend8
178	174		(6.5), (10) introductory portion,
179	175		(11.5)(b)(I) introductory portion, and9
180	176		(15); and add (6.6) and (6.7) as follows:10
181	177		42-6-102. Definitions. As used in this part 1, unless the context11
182	178		otherwise requires:12
183	179		(6.5) "Kit vehicle" means a passenger-type motor vehicle13
184	180		assembled, by other than a licensed manufacturer, from a manufactured14
185	181		kit that includes a prefabricated body and chassis and is accompanied by15
186	182		a manufacturer's statement of origin "KEI VEHICLE" HAS THE MEANING SET16
187	183		FORTH IN SECTION 42-1-102.17
188	184		(6.6) "KEI OFF-ROAD VEHICLE" MEANS A VEHICLE THAT:18
189	185		(a) IS POWERED BY AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH A19
190	186		DISPLACEMENT OF ONE THOUSAND CUBIC CENTIMETERS OR LESS OR AN20
191	187		ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND WATTS OR LESS;21
192	188		(b) IS SIXTY-SEVEN INCHES OR LESS IN WIDTH;22
193	189		(c) IS ONE HUNDRED FORTY INCHES OR LESS IN LENGTH ;23
194	190		(d) TRAVELS ON FOUR OR MORE TIRES IN CONTACT WITH THE24
195	191		GROUND;25
196	192		(e) HAS AN ENCLOSED PASSENGER CAB ;26
197	193		(f) WAS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES; AND27
198	194		1281
199	195		-6- (g) DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 42-1-1021
200	196		(45.3)(h).2
201	197		(6.7) "KIT VEHICLE" MEANS A PASSENGER-TYPE MOTOR VEHICLE3
202	198		ASSEMBLED, BY OTHER THAN A LICENSED MANUFACTURER , FROM A4
203	199		MANUFACTURED KIT THAT INCLUDES A PREFABRICATED BODY AND5
204	200		CHASSIS AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY A MANUFACTURER 'S STATEMENT OF6
205	201		ORIGIN.7
206	202		(10) "Motor vehicle" means any A self-propelled vehicle that is8
207	203		designed primarily for travel on the public highways and is generally and9
208	204		commonly used to transport persons and property over the public10
209	205		highways, including autocycles,
210	206		KEI VEHICLES, trailers, semitrailers, and11
211	207		trailer coaches, without motive power. "Motor vehicle" does not include12
212	208		the following:13
213	209		(11.5) (b) (I) Except as described in subsection (11.5)(b)(II) of14
214	210		this section, "off-highway vehicle" includes vehicles commonly known15
215	211		as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, KEI OFF-ROAD VEHICLES, and surplus16
216	212		military vehicles but does not include:17
217	213		(15) (a) "Roadworthy" means a condition in which a motor18
218	214		vehicle has sufficient power and is fit to operate on the roads and19
219	215		highways of this state after visual inspection by appropriate law20
220	216		enforcement authorities.21
221	217		(b) In order to be roadworthy, such A vehicle, in accord with its22
222	218		design and use, shall MUST have all major parts and systems permanently23
223	219		attached and functioning and shall MUST not be repaired in such a manner24
224	220		as to make the vehicle unsafe.25
225	221		(c) For purposes of this subsection (15), AS USED IN THIS26
226	222		SUBSECTION (15):27
227	223		1281
228	224		-7- (I) "IN ACCORD WITH ITS DESIGN AND USE " PRECLUDES A KEI1
229	225		VEHICLE FROM BEING DECLARED TO BE NOT ROADWORTHY BASED ON ITS2
230	226		DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PARAMETERS .3
231	227		(II) "Major parts and systems" shall include, but not be limited to,4
232	228		INCLUDES the body of a motor vehicle with related component parts,5
233	229		engine, transmission, tires, wheels, seats, exhaust,
234	230		AND brakes and all6
235	231		other equipment required by Colorado law for the particular vehicle.7 SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 44-20-102, amend8
236	232		(16); and add (12.5) as follows:9
237	233		44-20-102. Definitions. As used in this part 1, and in part 4 of this10
238	234		article 20, unless the context or section 44-20-402 otherwise requires:11
239	235		(12.5) "KEI ROAD VEHICLE" MEANS A "KEI VEHICLE" AS DEFINED12
240	236		IN SECTION 42-1-102 (45.3).13
241	237		(16) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle intended primarily for14
242	238		use on the public highways that is self-propelled and every vehicle15
243	239		intended primarily for operation on the public highways that is not16
244	240		self-propelled but is designed to be attached to, become a part of, or be17
245	241		drawn by a self-propelled vehicle, not including farm tractors and other18
246	242		machines and tools used in the production, harvesting, and care of farm19
247	243		products. "Motor vehicle" includes a KEI ROAD VEHICLE OR A low-power20
248	244		scooter or autocycle as either is defined in section 42-1-102.21
249	245		SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 44-20-131.5 as22
250	246		follows:23
251	247		44-20-313.5. Kei road vehicles - no liability for manufacturing24
252	248		standards. A PERSON LICENSED UNDER THIS PART 1 IS NOT LIABLE FOR25
253	249		ANY DAMAGES THAT ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO26
254	250		SELLING A KEI ROAD VEHICLE THAT IS NOT MANUFACTURED IN27
255	251		1281
256	252		-8- ACCORDANCE WITH UNITED STATES FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS .1
257	253		SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 44-20-402, amend2
258	254		(11)(b) and (11)(c); and add (6.5) and (11)(d) as follows:3
259	255		44-20-402. Definitions. As used in this part 4, unless the context4
260	256		otherwise requires:5
261	257		(6.5) "KEI OFF-ROAD VEHICLE" MEANS A VEHICLE THAT:6
262	258		(a) IS POWERED BY AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH A7
263	259		DISPLACEMENT OF ONE THOUSAND CUBIC CENTIMETERS OR LESS OR AN8
264	260		ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF FIFTY-SIX THOUSAND WATTS OR LESS;9
265	261		(b) IS SIXTY-SEVEN INCHES OR LESS IN WIDTH;10
266	262		(c) IS ONE HUNDRED FORTY INCHES OR LESS IN LENGTH ;11
267	263		(d) TRAVELS ON FOUR OR MORE TIRES IN CONTACT WITH THE12
268	264		GROUND;13
269	265		(e) HAS AN ENCLOSED PASSENGER CAB ;14
270	266		(f) WAS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES; AND15
271	267		(g) DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 42-1-10216
272	268		(45.3)(h). 17
273	269		(11) "Powersports vehicle" means any of the following:18
274	270		(b) A personal watercraft; or19
275	271		(c) A snowmobile; OR20
276	272		(d) A KEI OFF-ROAD VEHICLE.21
277	273		SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 44-20-432.5 as22
278	274		follows:23
279	275		44-20-432.5. Kei off-road vehicles - no liability for24
280	276		manufacturing standards. A PERSON LICENSED UNDER THIS PART 4 IS25
281	277		NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY26
282	278		ATTRIBUTABLE TO SELLING A KEI OFF-ROAD VEHICLE THAT IS NOT27
283	279		1281
284	280		-9- MANUFACTURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNITED STATES FEDERAL SAFETY1
285	281		STANDARDS.2
286	282		SECTION 13. Act subject to petition - effective date -3
287	283		applicability. (1) This act takes effect July 1, 2027; except that, if a4
288	284		referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the5
289	285		state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act6
290	286		within the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general7
291	287		assembly, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless8
292	288		approved by the people at the general election to be held in November9
293	289		2026 and, in such case, will take effect July 1, 2027.10
294	290		(2) This act applies to applications submitted or offenses11
295	291		committed on or after January 1, 2028.12
296	292		1281
297	293		-10-