Community Equestrian take Bill to Capitol
March is a big month for horse rider advocacy in America.
Community Equestrian is a Colorado based group that drafted and has secured senator support for the Equestrian Zones Bill, published in February 2025.
“This Bill was born out of the need to improve safety for the equestrian community in our expanding metro areas now and into the future. The Bill accomplishes this by establishing equestrian zones, standards for infrastructure, Pass Wide and Slow road law, and a legislative declaration that recognizes the importance of the equestrian industry and community in Colorado. The Bill gives equestrians recognition, a voice, and local government tools to help them better integrate development in equestrian zones”
View the Bill here https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-149
Equestrian Zones Bill receives Senator support.
Co chairs Karen Hersh and Michele Hovet with Senator Lindsey Daugherty (middle)
The Bill addresses:
Equestrians right to travel safely on roads and to recreation on public trails free of fear of dangerous interactions with other road and trail users.
Equestrians right to access our public trails and roadways, especially in growing urban areas.
Equestrians right to the full support of educated state and municipal government and law enforcement.
Equestrians to be recognised similar to other road and trail users (pedestrians and bicycles).
Postive Change is Needed in America.
Proposed Equestrian Zones Bill (was Bill of Rights) areas of focus.
In adopting the Pass Wide & Slow Doctorine:
Want driving schools to cover motor/equestrian rules and best practices in their curriculum.
Want Pass Wide & Slow promoted and enforced on trails, incorporating signage at trailheads to educate the public. We want the support of municipalities and law enforcement to partner with the horse community to organize an annual Pass Wide & Slow ride to promote awareness and education.
The final problem with equestrian rights is law enforcement. Very often, law enforcement lacks clarity with regard to equestrian incidents. Horses are often viewed as personal property in the way a bicycle would be. But of course, a horse is not a bicycle. They are very much a partner to their rider, represent tremendous emotional and economic value, and are living beings with rights and protections under animal welfare law. The penalties for causing these kinds of accidents seem insufficient
Pass Wide & Slow
Is making a difference across the globe.
The month of March is a time in which the refining process of the Bill begins.
Meetings will be held on March 3 between Community Equestrian and stakeholders to receive feedback.
It’s an opportunity for amendments to be made to the Bill so it can best meet the goals and objectives.
Equestrian’s at Capitol
On March 10 Community Equestrian will meet with legislators at Capitol to educate them on the Bill.
And all going to plan, the Bill may go to vote on March 13 at the Senate. If it passes it will then go through the review process again in the House.
Governor Polis
If it passes a vote in the House of Representatives, it will then need to be signed into law by Governor Polis. Photo source Instagram