COMMERCE CITY — This community — which is fighting hard to shed its sooty image — is among several cities in Colorado welcoming fleets of new smart and clean vehicles into its neighborhoods.
In October, the City Council approved the use of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) on city roads under certain conditions. NEVs are similar to golf carts in that they are self-propelled and electrically powered.
Commerce City was one of the first Front Range cities to authorize the use of NEVs. A bill allowing NEVs statewide was signed Wednesday by Gov. Bill Ritter.
A group of residents as concerned about gas prices as the environmental damage traditional cars and trucks can cause first approached the city last year about opening the roads to NEVs, said City Councilman Jason McEldowney.
“Folks out there who think of Commerce City wouldn’t necessarily think we’d be on NEVs,” McEldowney said. “But people here are thinking about environmental sustainability, and I’m proud we were a little bit ahead of the curve on this.”
Pushing a new image
Commerce City has long been known as a hub of oil and gas production. But a push began earlier this decade to diversify the city’s economy and spruce up its image.
The city was able to build a state-of-the-art sports park, develop high-end subdivisions and play host to the Mile High Music Festival.
In fact, NEVs will be used to shuttle people around the music festival this year as well as at the city’s huge July 4 celebration, McEldowney said.
More than a golf cart
Several NEVs were displayed Friday at the Commerce City Civic Center, and McEldowney took curious media members and city officials for rides.
Most NEVs sell for about $5,000 and have to meet certain requirements before they are considered road-ready, said officials.
They are allowed on city streets with speed limits less than 35 mph. They also have to have a windshield, headlamps, taillamps or reflectors, stop lamp, turn signals, a horn and mirrors.
NEV operators must have a valid driver’s license, current vehicle registration and vehicle insurance as required by law, said Commerce City police Officer Christian Rasmussen.
NEVs must be driven on the right-hand lane and cannot be ridden on sidewalks or trails unless specifically posted for such use.
So far, Commerce City has not been overwhelmed with NEVs, Rasmussen said.
“I haven’t seen too many around,” he said.
But officials hope residents will take advantage of new laws allowing their use.
“I wouldn’t want to see them on 120th Avenue during rush hour,” McEldowney said. “But for simple trips to the store or to school, it is almost ideal.”
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
