Sec. 7-6-440. Rules and standards for horse-drawn carriage rides.
(a) Operating Times. Horse-drawn carriage rides are permitted to operate one-half (1/2) hour after sunrise and one-half (1/2) hour before sunset seven (7) days a week, except horse-drawn carriage rides shall not be permitted to operate:
(1) During the duration of any major festival event as defined by Section 11-4-10 of this Code, or on the Fourth of July;
(2) Between November 1 and April 1;
(3) Whenever an accumulation of either snow or ice covers a public roadway surface;
(4) During permitted times, in the permitted areas, approved for the operation of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS); or
(5) On those days or during those times deemed by the Town Manager and/or the Town Marshal when such operations would constitute a hazard to the public safety.
(b) Operating Locations. Horse-drawn carriage rides are permitted to operate on their defined route, except horse-drawn carriage rides shall not be permitted to operate:
(1) Within the Telluride Town Park, in its entirety;
(2) On any recreation or bike path;
(3) On any roadway currently under construction where any portion of the traveled surfaceway of the road is closed to vehicular use;
(4) Within an area where the Town has previously approved a street closure; or
(5) Within an area where there is noncompanion animal activity related to a special event.
(c) Operating Standards. The permittees of horse-drawn carriage rides and their employees, agents, or subcontractors shall always use and occupy the public right-of-way in a safe and careful manner.
(1) Carriages used within the Town shall be well maintained, in good general mechanical condition, neat in appearance and hitched appropriately with safe and serviceable harnesses and equipment.
(2) A braking system independent of the horse(s) is to be installed and serviceable on any carriage operating within the Town.
(3) Each carriage shall be inspected at least once daily by the permittee.
(4) A sounding device, either horn or bell, is to be available on each carriage. The horse(s) should be familiar with said device and demonstrate no adverse reaction to such device when used.
(5) All carriage harnesses and traces shall be clean and in good working condition and shall be inspected for condition of worn leather, buckles, proper fit, and adjustment on the horse(s).
(6) Permittees are required to equip each and every horse used for horse-drawn carriage rides with:
a. Horse blinders designed to prevent horses from becoming distracted; and
b. Horse hampers, horse diapers or some other similar manure-catching device which is demonstrated to be effective in preventing manure from being deposited.
(7) Permittees are required to immediately clean up any manure or urine deposited onto Town property or public right-of-way and shall:
a. Carry and use water sufficient to immediately dilute urine released in rights-of-way; and
b. Provide for the disposal of any waste other than in public containers.
(8) The Town Manager shall determine an appropriate and qualified party to conduct the required inspections under this Division.
(d) Prohibited Use or Activity. No permittee may:
(1) Sell or offer for sale any articles, merchandise or literature to the passengers in the carriage;
(2) Affix any form of advertisement or signage on either the carriage or any of the horses except a permittee may display the name and contact information for the permitted horse-drawn carriage operation within a limited area not to exceed four (4) square feet on each side of the carriage;
(3) After leaving the starting point, receive additional passengers or drop off passengers between such starting point and any delineated drop-off point on the route approved by the Town;
(4) Operate on any route other than the prescribed and Town-approved route;
(5) Operate in a manner that causes substantial disruption of traffic or pedestrian flow;
(6) Cause a public nuisance or create a substantial inconvenience or annoyance to the public; or
(7) Leave unattended any carriage that is affixed to horses. Drivers or operators will remain with carriages and in control at all times. Should it be necessary for the driver to leave any carriage unattended, the carriage shall be unoccupied and the horse(s) shall be securely tied to designated fixed objects for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes.
(e) Traffic Laws Enforced.
(1) All Colorado and Telluride traffic laws are held to apply to the operation of any carriage within the Town.
(2) Any infraction of traffic laws can result in loss or suspension of a horse-drawn carriage rides permit.
(3) Each driver or operator of a carriage must have a valid State-issued operator’s license to operate a motor vehicle. (Ord. 1466 § 3 (Exh. A), 2018)