Larimer County approves $10 first-offense penalty for abandoned, inoperable vehicles on unincorporated county roads

Larimer County commissioners approved an ordinance Oct. 5 setting a $10 first-offense penalty for parking abandoned or inoperable vehicles on public roads in unincorporated areas.

A vehicle left in one location on a county public road for more than 72 hours is considered abandoned. Moving it and re-parking it within 700 feet of that location in any 24-hour period counts as continuous parking. An operable vehicle with an active license and registration is exempt if registered to an unincorporated Larimer County address and parked within 700 feet of that property, measured along connecting county public roads. An inoperable motor vehicle includes one that is unregistered, lacks a current plate and validation tab or registration sticker, appears inoperable because it is wrecked or dismantled, or cannot move safely and lawfully under its own power.

A public commenter who identified herself as Enid Cohen said the parking issue had affected her neighborhood and that she strongly supported the ordinance. “I have been nagging the commissioners and the sheriff's office for about a year and a half regarding this issue,” the commenter said. Kristin Stephens said the measure targets vehicles left indefinitely with expired plates or unable to be driven, not people parking near their homes. John Kefalas said Cohen’s photographs and correspondence helped the process and that residents of other neighborhoods had raised similar concerns.

Sarah Lipowitz, a Gray Rock Commons resident, said she was not authorized to speak for the entire community and asked whether the 700-foot distance would be measured to the development or individual homes. Gray Rock’s circular road is private, and residents each have two parking spaces; some park on Briarwood when they need another, Lipowitz said. “These are not abandoned cars, but these are cars that may actually sit there more than, you know, a couple days,” Lipowitz said. A staff member said the distance should be measured from the property boundary along connecting county public roads and that the ordinance would not apply on private roads.

Violations are civil infractions, and the state’s penalty-assessment procedure may be used. The penalty is $10 for a first offense, $20 for a second offense within 30 days of the original offense and $30 for a third or subsequent offense within 60 days of the original offense. Every person convicted must also pay a $10 surcharge per violation to the court clerk for the 8th Judicial District’s victims and witness assistance and law enforcement fund, plus court costs and any other surcharges required by state law.

For a violation, a sheriff’s officer must record the vehicle’s registration number and may collect other identifying information. The officer must give a penalty notice to an occupant or place it on an unoccupied vehicle, directing the owner or occupant to answer the charge and remove the vehicle within 72 hours. If the vehicle remains in violation more than 72 hours after the notice is issued, an officer may arrange removal by a licensed towing carrier. The driver or owner must pay towing and storage charges directly to the carrier.