(COLO) – Given that I-70 is the main route for delivering goods to the Western Slope communities and providing access to recreation in the Rocky Mountains, it isn’t surprising that proactive and reactive enforcement activities launch this roadway into the top spot for chain law violations. However, Port of Entry officers and troopers also enforce chain law on other highly traveled highways.
In fact, in August 2024, Senate Bill 24-100 expanded Colorado’s mandatory carry chain law to include many essential roadways. Each year, all commercial motor vehicle drivers are required to carry chains from September 1 to May 31. This applies to vehicles with a combined weight exceeding 16,000 pounds used in commerce or as a means of transport for at least 16 passengers (including the driver) on public highways.
Commercial vehicles and buses have a larger footprint on roadways where chains are required. CMVs must carry chains or ATDs on all the following roads regardless of current weather:
- I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison) to the Utah border.
- Colorado Highway 9, milepost 63 to milepost 97 (Frisco to Fairplay).
- Route 40 milepost 256 (Empire) to the Utah border.
- U.S. Route 50 milepost 225 (Salida) to the Utah border.
- U.S. Route 160 milepost 304 (Walsenburg) to the New Mexico border.
- U.S. Route 285 milepost 250 (Morrison) to the New Mexico border.
- All of U.S Route 550.
Looking at data over the last four years (2021-2024) for chain law violations, the five most common roadways that troopers issued the citations were:
- I-70
- Highway 160
- Highway 50
- Highway 255 and Highway 550
The Colorado roadway with the largest number of CMV-related crashes remains I-70. The I-70 mountain corridor is the primary focus for enforcement, education, and safety checks. In fact, a review of runaway truck ramp usage on I-70 revealed that 65% of drivers who used a truck ramp had five years or less of driving experience. Crashes and runaway truck ramp usage pointed to driver inexperience and a lack of familiarity with driving on this interstate corridor.
CSP partners closely with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the trucking industry through organizations like the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA) to enhance road safety. A key example of these cooperative efforts was the creation of the Mountain Rules, a campaign designed to provide truck drivers with important information to help them safely navigate Colorado’s mountains.
The Colorado State Patrol wants residents and visitors to be ‘Winter Ready’ during our cold, snowy, and icy season. This campaign aims to educate drivers on the most common behaviors that lead to serious injury and death during the winter months on Colorado roadways.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the protection of the Governor and other dignitaries, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on X, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.