Finally happened. We got stopped by the Colorado state police today. He says the michigan plate is no good in Colorado. Tried to reason with him to no avail. The officer connected me to his supervisor and same results. The guy threatened to have us towed, but backed off eventually. I'm under the assumption that I'm legal in any state in the union. I've searched and so far cannot find anything that will work for proof that my vehicle can drive on Colorado roads. Can anyone cite me a law that allows or prohibits this activity?
I'm surprised this simple issue is still being kicked around without resolution.
The CO state police officer was clearly correct. To him it was very simple. UTVs, ATVs, ORVs are not allowed to be licensed or operated on the highways, roads, and streets in Colorado so he enforced CO law. The state of MI has no authority whatsoever to authorize ORV registration or use on public roads in CO. Period. There is no reciprocity agreement for this issue.
How would each of us like it if our state prohibits ORV use but someone from another state can operate an ORV in our state?
Understanding begins with the US Constitution. The Constitution established the United States as a constitutional republic made up of 50 sovereign states. All powers not granted to the Republic remain with each state. CO and all states have the power to make and enforce laws within their state.
Reciprocity only exists between states for activities that are legal in both states. Each state has the sovereign power to make and enforce laws allowing registration and operation of passenger vehicles and light trucks on their public roads. All states allow this and all states allow passenger cars and light trucks registered in another state by residents of the other state to operate within the other state for a limited time only. Reciprocity agreements are convenient. They often apply for concealed carry and other activities.
ORVs are not legally operated in all states so reciprocity agreements do not apply.