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climbers with CO plates getting harassed by cops in Utah

Original Post
Mydans · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 70

Hey all just a random question but how many people have gotten harassed by the cops in Utah for having colorado plates? I've heard rumours but haven't driven across utah in a year or so and was curious how aggro they are about searching/harassing cars from colorado with the news laws on botanicals. I've driven across utah many times and haven't had problems yet but was curious if anything had changed. And yes I drive the speed limit, have a clean driving record, no arrests or any other incriminating history. and I'm 38 (old) thanks for the insight

Alexey Dynkin · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0
Mydans wrote:Hey all just a random question but how many people have gotten harassed by the cops in Utah for having colorado plates? I've heard rumours but haven't driven across utah in a year or so and was curious how aggro they are about searching/harassing cars from colorado with the news laws on botanicals. I've driven across utah many times and haven't had problems yet but was curious if anything had changed. And yes I drive the speed limit, have a clean driving record, no arrests or any other incriminating history. and I'm 38 (old) thanks for the insight
I go to Utah at least several times a year with CO plates, and never had any issues. Then again, I haven't seen a whole lot of cops in the places I tend to visit :)
Steve Williams · · The state of confusion · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 235

Drove through Utah in early February--just kept the car on cruise
at the speed limit and didn't have any issues whatsoever.
Denver to Red Rocks in 11 hours or so, no problemo, even though
I'm in my 60's.
Have a safe trip!

Dallas R · · Traveling the USA · Joined May 2013 · Points: 191

We were in Utah Jan-Mar with Florida plates and never even got looked at. Our son (35) came to visit while we were at Smith Rock, he has Wa plates and better fits the botanical profile and he did not have any problems.

TresSki Roach · · Santa Fe, NM · Joined May 2002 · Points: 605

Never had a problem. I even have a Rasta bumper sticker on the back.

Mathias · · Loveland, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 306

I was all over Utah last month with CO fleet plates. No problems.

Michael Sweeney · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

Drove through Utah on our way back from J-Tree. Got pulled over because the stickers on the back window of my car were "illegal." I think he was fishing for dope because of our CO plates. My girlfriend was driving the speed limit, and he almost caused a wreck trying to pull us over. So yes, there are people that have had problems.

Bob Dobalina · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 140

I have never personally had any problems. But then again, I carefully sneak just over the border, visit remote areas, then sneak back over the border. I usually have full strength beer and weed with me (BOTH are legal in CO but illegal in UT), so I'm careful.
I did learn (from a cop) that cops in Utah consider any grateful dead stickers on your car as probable cause to pull you over. Even if you aren't breaking any laws. No joke.

john strand · · southern colo · Joined May 2008 · Points: 1,640

ALL out of state plates get attention in some areas..Especially near the creek and Capitol Reef

it's been happening forever

Alexey Dynkin · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0
Bob Dobalina wrote:I usually have full strength beer and weed with me (BOTH are legal in CO but illegal in UT),
Is full-strength beer really illegal in UT? I thought it's only illegal to sell it outside of state-licensed liquor stores.
Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

Never had an issue in Utah, but I have had issues trying to enter and exit Oregon with a beat-up truck covered in questionable stickers. Both times, I got pulled over for driving erratically/unsafe following distance that resulted from some idiot cutting *me* off.

The first time (while moving to Idaho, towing a trailer for the first time in my life):
Cop - "You seem nervous. Any reason you might have to be nervous this evening?"
Me - "Aside from the fact that the sum of my earthly possessions are in this truck and trailer, and I've never towed a trailer before? No, none."

I try not to be flippant with cops, but that was stupid fucking question.

Ben Mackall · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 1,823

Not illegal to possess/drink, just illegal to sell in anything other than a state-licensed liquor store. Bars can sell full strength in bottles (not tap), and breweries can sell full strength all day long at their retail locations.

Lived in CO for 6 years before, during, and after the legalization when profiling rumors started coming out of Utah and WY. Didn't have any troubles though during multiple forays into/through both states. They are far more likely to profile you for incriminating bumper stickers, erratic driving, multiple people in one car, or suspicious behavior than they are for your plates. Also, expect increased presence just over the border (i.e. GJ to Green River, FoCo to Cheyenne, etc.), so as long as you anticipate that and drive accordingly, you should be juuuuuust fine :)

Happy driving!

Cor · · Sandbagging since 1989 · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 1,445

This shit (profiling) has been happening for years. Nothing new or different, FYI.

Look up old MP threads about subject.

Bob Dobalina · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 140
Alexey Dynkin wrote: Is full-strength beer really illegal in UT? I thought it's only illegal to sell it outside of state-licensed liquor stores.
I was once told by a grumpy Indian Creek ranger that we were in possession of full strength beer that he knew that we had brought in from over the border. This qualified as a "bootlegging offense", he said.
I believed him at the time, but he was probably just bullshitting to harassing us!
Alan Doak · · boulder, co · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 120

It is illegal to transport alcohol into Utah. If you get pulled over, and the officer asks if he can look inside your cooler, do not give him permission. It's a trap!

http://abc.utah.gov/laws/law_faqs.html
Under Utah law "alcoholic beverages" include all hard liquor, spirits, wine and beer. Beer and other malt beverage products that exceed 3.2% alcohol by weight or 4.0% by volume are considered "liquor", and beer with an alcohol content of 3.2% or less is defined as "beer".....you may not bring alcoholic beverages into Utah for any purpose....

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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