Department of Public Works
Reference: Adoption of the 2020 Model Traffic Code for Colorado
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael Martinez, City Manager
Marv Falconburg, Deputy City Manager
Michael Woodruff, Director of Infrastructure
Prepared By: Noe Martinez, Public Works Staff Engineer
Date Prepared: April 5, 2022
PURPOSE
City Council will consider the adoption by reference of the 2020 revised Model Traffic Code for Colorado into Chapter 10: “Vehicle and Traffic,” Article 10-4 of the Brighton Municipal Code.
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA
Supportive and Sustainable Infrastructure
Safe, Active, and Engaged Community
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the Model Traffic Code of Colorado is to provide a system of traffic regulations consistent with state law and generally conforming to similar regulations throughout the state and the nation. The current version of the Brighton Municipal Codes adopts the 2010 version of the Model Traffic Code for Colorado, and since that time, the 2020 version of the Model Traffic Code of Colorado has been published by the Colorado Department of Transportation, which version incorporates all changes in vehicle related laws and traffic enacted since 2010. The Model Traffic Code of Colorado has served the City of Brighton as a guide of traffic safety, laws, and enforcement. This request would continue this tradition by adopting the updated revised version.
The draft ordinance has been reviewed by the Police Department and includes their recommendations. Section 3 of the adopting ordinance has an extensive list of “additions, deletions, and modifications”. The provisions of the 2020 Model Traffic Code classify each traffic violation as a class A traffic infraction, class B traffic infraction, class 1 misdemeanour traffic offense or class 2 misdemeanour traffic offense. The Code as adopted into the City’s Municipal Code does not use such classifications - all traffic violations are either traffic infractions or traffic offenses. The lengthy list of deleted provisions in Section 3 of the ordinance removes those sections that classify the violations.
City staff is proposing to update the version of reference from 2010 to the most current version 2020. This will ensure all regulations are remaining up to date with the most updates.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no foreseen financial impact beyond the staff time required to add it in the Brighton Municipal Code.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending approval of the proposed adoption, by reference, of the 2020 revised version of the Model Traffic Code for Colorado into Chapter 10: “Vehicle and Traffic”, Article 10-4 of the Brighton Municipal Code.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Ø Approve the Ordinance in the form approved at first reading
Ø Approve the Ordinance with specific changes
Ø Deny the Ordinance as drafted
Ø Continue the item to be heard at a later, specified date
ATTACHMENTS
Ø Draft Ordinance
Ø City Staff Presentation