Jefferson County is asking residents to weigh in on which county roads should be open to Class 4 all-terrain vehicles, following the adoption of a new ATV ordinance earlier this year. The public nomination period runs through August 10, after which an advisory committee will review submissions and make recommendations to the county.

"We're asking people to nominate a road if they wish. It has to be a county road. And then we'll have an advisory committee that takes up until August 10th," said Jefferson County Commissioner Kyle Simmelink.

Who Can Ride and Where

Under the county's new ordinance, Class 4 ATV operators on designated roads must meet several requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years of age with a valid driver's license
  • Hold a Class 4 ATV operating permit
  • Carry insurance
  • Wear a helmet if the driver or any rider is under 18
  • Follow posted speed limits and use only designated routes

Commissioner Simmelink was careful to describe what the ordinance is actually designed for. "I think when people think about this, they're thinking about some kid jerking around on a three-wheeler or minibike tearing up the road. That's not what this is really for," he said.

Crooked River Ranch Community Split

The push for the ordinance originated with the Crooked River Ranch ATV Group, which hopes the new rules will open up access routes through the Ranch and to surrounding public lands.

"There is approximately 11.9 miles of road that actually access through Crooked River Ranch HOA. And we would like to have access to that road so that we can access the Crooked River Ranch grasslands," said group chairman Norman Park.

ATV group member Lynnell Morgan added that designated routes would improve practical access for residents. "It gives us another access way to get to the mailboxes, businesses, to friends and family," she said.

Not everyone is on board. Crooked River Ranch resident Luann Breeden voiced concern about rider safety, particularly for younger operators. "My biggest concern was kids on this stuff and somebody hitting them," she said. Some Ranch residents are also worried about the county encroaching on roads managed by the Special Road District, pointing to a straw vote in October 2025 in which a majority of property owners voted against adopting a similar local ordinance.

How to Participate

County residents who want to nominate a road for Class 4 ATV designation — or who want to submit concerns — can visit jeffersoncountyor.gov for the nomination form and full ordinance details. Only county-maintained roads are eligible for nomination; private roads and HOA-managed routes fall outside the county's jurisdiction under the ordinance.

The advisory committee is expected to complete its review and deliver recommendations to county commissioners following the August 10 deadline.