As you pack your snow gear, make sure you're prepared and have the gear for your tires to be safe on the roads. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) requires all vehicles (personal cars, trucks, and large commercial vehicles) to adhere to the safety protocols and traction laws.

"Colorado's Chain Law is not just for Large Commercial Vehicles. All vehicles need to be prepared to have adequate tires and equipment when traveling in Colorado during the winter," said the Colorado State Patrol.

Any vehicle on I-70, traveling east or west, between milepost 133 (Dotsero) and milepost 259 (Morrison) must follow the following laws from September through May: 

• Any vehicle operating with a GCWR/GVWR of 16,001 pounds or more must carry sufficient chains (traction devices) for the type of vehicle being driven to be in compliance with the chain law requirements should they go into effect.
• Any two-wheel-drive vehicle with a GCWR/GVWR less than 16,001 pounds must have tire chains for two or more drive tires, OR an approved ATD for two or more drive tires, OR tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch and which are rated for either “All-weather” or “Mud and Snow” by the manufacturer.
• Any four-wheel-drive motor vehicle with a GCWR/GVWR of less than 16,001 pounds must have tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch and adequate for winter driving conditions.

CDOT uses electronic roadway signs to notify travelers of any traction or chain laws in effect on Colorado roads. The key laws for noncommercial vehicles are:

• Traction Law (Code 15): Drivers must have either snow tires (tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation) or a four-wheel/all-wheel-drive vehicle. All tires must have a minimum one-eighth-inch tread.
• Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16): This final safety measure before the highway is closed requires every vehicle to have chains or an alternative traction device (like AutoSock).

In 2014, unprepared motorists caused one of the worst traffic delays on the I-70 Mountain Corridor. Twenty-two vehicles spun out and caused crashes, and 19 of those vehicles had worn tires.

For more information on tire safety, different kinds of tires, and tire FAQs, visit CDOT's Tire Safety. You can also take steps to prepare your car for winter. 

Even if you have the required traction, mishaps happen. Do you know what to do if your car gets stuck in the snow?