City of Littleton Municipal Code

9-1-2: LOW SPEED VEHICLES, GOLF CARS, AND EPAMDs:

(A) Definitions:

ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE OR EPAMD: A self-balancing, nontandem two (2) wheeled device, designed to transport only one person, that is powered solely by an electric propulsion system producing an average power output of no more than seven hundred fifty (750) watts as set forth in Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-1-102(28.7).

GOLF CAR: A self-propelled vehicle not designed primarily for operation on roadways and that has:  

1.  A design speed of less than twenty (20) miles per hour;
2.  At least three (3) wheels in contact with the ground;
3.  An empty weight of not more than one thousand three hundred (1,300) pounds; and
4.  A carrying capacity of not more than four (4) persons as set forth in Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-1-102(39.5).

LOW SPEED ELECTRIC VEHICLE: A vehicle that:

1. Is self-propelled utilizing electricity as its primary propulsion method;
2. Has at least three (3) wheels in contact with the ground;
3. Does not use handlebars to steer; and
4. Exhibits the manufacturer’s compliance with 49 CFR 565 or displays a seventeen (17) character vehicle identification number as provided in 49 CFR 565, as set forth in Colorado Revised Statutes 42-1-102(48.6).

(B) Regulation Of Low Speed Electric Vehicles, Golf Cars, EPAMDs: 

1. No person shall operate a low speed electric vehicle, golf car, and/or EPAMD on the roadway of a street within the city of Littleton, except as provided in this section. 
2. An operator of a low speed electric vehicle, golf car, and/or EPAMD shall have been issued and possess a currently valid driver’s license or minor driver’s license. 
3. All low speed electric vehicles and/or golf cars shall be equipped with:

1. Headlamps;
2. Front and rear turn signal lamps; 
3. Taillamps and stop lamps; 
4. A rearview mirror or mirrors; 
5. A parking brake.

(C) Number Of Persons In Vehicle: The number of persons in the golf car and/or low speed electric vehicle shall be limited to the number of seats in the vehicle. 

(D) Permitted Streets: Low speed electric vehicles, golf cars, and EPMADs are permitted on all city streets with a speed limit equal to or less than thirty five (35) miles per hour except for the following streets:

• Alamo Avenue 
• Belleview Avenue 
• Bowles Avenue 
• Broadway Boulevard 
• County Line Road 
• Dry Creek Road 
• Federal Boulevard 
• Littleton Boulevard 
• Main Street 
• Mineral Avenue

A low speed electric vehicle, golf car and/or EPMAD may be operated to directly cross a roadway that has a speed limit greater than thirty five (35) miles per hour at an at grade crossing to continue traveling along a roadway with a speed limit equal to or less than thirty five (35) miles per hour; provided, however, that no golf cars are permitted on state highways and low speed electric vehicles, golf cars and EPAMDs are not permitted on limited access highways.

(E) Insurance: Before operating or permitting the operation of such low speed electric vehicles, golf cars and/or EPMADs, each owner shall obtain and carry a liability insurance policy, issued by an insurance carrier authorized to do business in the state of Colorado, which covers golf carts and/or neighborhood electric vehicles operating on public streets with a minimum sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for damages to property of others; a minimum sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for damages for or on account of bodily injury or death of one person as a result of any one accident; and, subject to such limit as to one person, a minimum sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for or on account of bodily injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one accident.

(F) Penalties: The following penalties, herewith, set forth in full, shall apply to this section:

1. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions adopted in this chapter or commit any traffic offense stated herein or as amended by section 9-1-12 of this chapter. 
2. Notwithstanding anything in this code which may be interpreted to the contrary, every person convicted of any traffic offense stated herein or as amended in section 9-1-12 of this chapter shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90) days, or by such fine and imprisonment. 

(G) Emissions Inspections:

1.  No person shall operate a motor vehicle registered or required to be registered in this state, nor shall any person allow such a motor vehicle to be parked on public property or on private property available for public use, without such vehicle having passed any necessary emissions test. The owner of any motor vehicle that is in violation of this section shall be responsible for payment of any penalty imposed under this section unless such owner proves that the motor vehicle was in the possession of another person without the owner’s permission at the time of the violation. 
2. In any prosecution for an alleged violation of any of the provisions of this section, proof that the vehicle described in the complaint was driven, parked or stopped in violation of this section, together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was, at the time of such driving, stopping or parking, a registered owner of the vehicle, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the defendant was the person who drove, parked, stopped, or knowingly permitted to be driven, stopped or parked, such vehicle at the place where and for the time which such violation occurred. 
3. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a municipal criminal offense, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00), payable within thirty (30) days after conviction. 
4. Any law enforcement officer observing a vehicle in the city which is in apparent violation of this section, may place upon such vehicle, or serve upon the owner or operator of any such vehicle, a summons and complaint or a penalty assessment notice. Such notice shall indicate the offense and direct the owner or operator of such vehicle to either remit a penalty assessment of fifty dollars ($50.00) to the city or to appear at the Littleton municipal court violations bureau within seven (7) days of the date of issuance of the penalty assessment notice to begin proceedings to protest the charge.

(H) Comply With State And Federal Laws: It is the duty of the operator of any vehicle as set forth in title 42 of the Colorado Revised Statutes to comply with all of the requirements of state and federal laws, regulations and standards including, without limitation, licensing, registration, and equipment. (Ord. 13, Series of 2010)