Winter is coming. There are some new rules for truckers in Colorado regarding tire chains.
A new law went into effect on August 7 under Senate Bill 24-100. It stated that from September 1 to May 31, all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) over 16,000 pounds must carry four snow chains and adequate alternate traction devices on their trucks on any of the following roads:
- I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison)
- Colorado Hwy 9 milepost 63 to milepost 97 (Frisco to Fairplay)
- Route 40 west of milepost 256 (Empire)
- US Route 50 west of milepost 225 (Salida)
- US Route 160 west of MP 250 (Morrison)
- US Route 550 from milepost 0 to 130 (State line south of Durango to Montrose)
Before, the law previously required truckers to carry chains on Interstate 70 between Dotsero and Morrison.
In addition to the chain laws, there are new lane restrictions for CMVs. Truckers are not allowed to use the left lane in:
- Glenwood Canyon
- Dowd Junction (The curvy section of I-70 between Avon and Vail)
- The west side of Vail Pass
- The tunnel grade on both sides of the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels
- Georgetown Hill
- Floyd Hill
Now, you may be wondering, why are chains necessary?
"Chains help commercial vehicles traverse the steep climbs often present in the high country," says the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). "Without chains, vehicles often become disabled, causing traffic delays and sometimes road closures. For the safety of the traveling public, it's critical to use chains to be in compliance with Colorado's chain law."
If you're driving a vehicle that weighs under 16,000 pounds—including passenger vehicles, crossovers, SUVs, and small trucks—a chain law restriction can be put into effect in Colorado at any time "when weather conditions are severe, primarily on roadways with significant ascending and descending grades," per CDOT.
CMV drivers should visit freight.colorado.gov and cotrip.org to prepare for their trip and ensure they comply.
