Breaking News: Colorado’s “Must Carry” Chain Law Just Got a Whole Lot Beefier!
Updated in mid-2024 to cover a whole bunch of new roads. What started as a teeny stretch of I-70 is now “Chain Up or Get Fined” territory across nearly every highway west of I-25. If your truck could talk, it’d tell you to pay attention!
If you’re a trucker or a CMV driver in Colorado, buckle up (and chain up). The mountains are calling, and they’re not sending invites—they’re sending warnings: “Don’t forget your chains!” That’s right. As of August 7, 2024, Senate Bill 24-100 hit the roads, expanding the Must Carry Chain Law for CMVs. The old rule covered a small stretch of I-70, but now, from September 1 to May 31, if your rig weighs more than 16,000 pounds or you’re ferrying 16 passengers or more, you’re playing in the big leagues. And trust me, winter in Colorado is the Super Bowl of weather.
Colorado Winters: Not Your Average Cold
You see, in Colorado, winters don’t mess around. Icy roads? Check. Blizzards? Double check. Mountain passes with steep grades that turn into a frozen luge track for trucks? Oh yeah. Let’s just say, you don’t want to be that trucker who becomes a viral video for sliding backward down a mountain pass because they “forgot” their chains.
The Breakdown
The new Must Carry law applies to major highways, federal routes, and mountain passes that turn slicker than an oil spill when the snow hits. Here’s the lowdown on where you need to be on red alert:
Key Roads Where Chains Are Now a Must-Have:
- I-70, west of Milepost 259 (from Morrison all the way to the Utah border).
- Colorado Highway 9, between MP 63 and MP 97 (from Frisco to Fairplay, where a “light snow” is just the universe warming up).
- U.S. Route 40, west of MP 256 (that’s Empire, CO, not Star Wars, but the terrain’s about as tricky).
- U.S. Route 50, west of MP 225 (Salida, where you get to meet some of Colorado’s finest winter conditions).
- U.S. Route 160, west of MP 304 (Walsenburg—gorgeous in the summer, gnarly in the winter).
- U.S. Route 285, west of MP 250 (that’s Morrison again, but this time heading south).
- U.S. Route 550, from MP 0 to MP 130 (through the jaw-dropping, but snow-swallowing San Juan Mountains).
Got your chains packed yet? If not, well… here’s the cost of learning the hard way:
- $50+ for not carrying chains (think of it as the “I forgot my homework” fine).
- $500+ for not chaining up when required (because that’s when you really should know better).
- $1,000+ for blocking the road because you didn’t chain up. Yeah, everyone behind you will definitely know.
What to Carry? (Because “I’m Good Without Chains” Ain’t Gonna Fly)
Let’s face it. You might think your truck is built for battle, but in Colorado’s winter, it’s Mother Nature versus everything you’ve got—and she’s undefeated. That’s why Colorado demands specific traction devices. Don’t try sneaking in with some dollar store tire chains and think you’ll pass inspection. Here’s what each rig needs:
- For Straight Trucks (Your Big Rigs):
- 4 tire chains, OR
- 4 AutoSocks (yep, tire socks are a real thing, and Colorado loves ’em), OR
- 4 tire cables (but they better be at least 0.415 inches in diameter), OR
- Auto chains or sanders (you want auto chains? You fancy!).
- For Single Drive Axle Combinations (The Solo Warriors):
- 4 tire chains, OR
- 4 AutoSocks, OR
- Auto chains or sanders.
- Cables? Nope. Not allowed. Sorry, single-axle friends.
- For Tandem Drive Axle Combinations (Double the Axle, Double the Fun):
- 4 tire chains, OR
- 4 AutoSocks, OR
- 4 tire cables (0.415 inches or larger).
- Auto Transporters (Because Cars Need a Ride, Too):
- 4 tire chains, OR
- 4 AutoSocks, OR
- 4 tire cables (0.415 inches or greater), OR
- Auto chains or sanders.
- Pro Tip: If your hydraulic lines are in danger of getting trashed by chains, use Alternative Traction Devices (ATDs)—but if you can’t chain up at all, expect your travels to be restricted.
- Buses (The People Movers):
- 2 tire chains, OR
- 2 tire cables (0.415 inches or greater), OR
- 2 AutoSocks, OR
- Auto chains or sanders.
- Hot Shot Truckers (For Pickup Truck Haulers):
- 2 tire chains for rear tires, OR
- Duallies? You need 4 tire chains. Sorry, not sorry.
Left Lane Restrictions: It’s Not NASCAR, Folks
Now for a curveball: new left lane restrictions. Yeah, even when the snow’s falling, some folks still think they’re in a race. To prevent chaos, truckers are now banned from using the left lane in some sections of I-70, unless you’re passing:
- Glenwood Canyon (milepost 115.5 to 131.0)
- Dowd Junction (milepost 169.5 to 173.0)
- Vail Pass (milepost 180.0 to 190.5)
- Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel (milepost 205.5 to 221.0)
- Georgetown Hill (milepost 224.0 to 228.5)
- Floyd Hill (milepost 243.0 to 247.0)
Violating these lane restrictions? That’s a Class A traffic infraction, and trust me, those fines will sting. (Freight Relocators)(Truckstop Canada)
Speeding Penalties in Glenwood Canyon: Double Trouble
Just to keep things extra spicy, Glenwood Canyon has become a heightened speed limit enforcement zone. That means if you’re thinking of going full-speed ahead, think again:
- Eastbound: Milepost 116.0 and 131.0
- Westbound: Milepost 118.5 and 131.0
Fines? Doubled. So go easy on that pedal, unless you’re looking to hand over a chunk of your paycheck. (Truckstop Canada).
What Happens if You Don’t Chain Up?
Alright, let’s be honest. Nobody’s putting “chaining up in the cold” on their list of favorite things to do. You’re out there, fingers freezing, wrestling with those chains while snowflakes mock you from above. But here’s the thing—skipping the chain-up isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s downright risky (and expensive).
Picture this: you’re cruising down I-70, snow’s falling, and then… BAM! You hit the infamous Colorado ice patch. Without chains, you’re not driving anymore—you’re sliding. Maybe into a guardrail, maybe into a ditch, or worse, you could end up causing a traffic jam the size of a football field. Not only will everyone behind you be cursing your name, but there’s also the matter of some hefty fines waiting for you at the end of that slide.
Let’s break it down:
- $500+ for skipping the chain-up when required.
- $1,000+ if you block the highway and turn everyone else’s day into a snowy nightmare.
That’s a lot of doughnuts, coffee, or, you know, things that could’ve been saved with 10 minutes of chaining up. Just sayin’.
Final Thoughts: Winter in Colorado Is No Joke—Be Prepared!
Look, Colorado winters aren’t just about snowflakes and scenic mountain views—they’re full-on survival mode for truckers. These chain laws aren’t just a nuisance, they’re life-saving. Whether you’re tackling a steep mountain pass or gliding down a snowy highway, having the right equipment can mean the difference between getting home safely or causing a pileup the size of a small town.
Before you hit the road, do yourself (and everyone else) a favor: check the forecast, grab your chains, and get prepped. Your wallet, your rig, and every driver out there will thank you.
For more details, visit Colorado Freight’s official breakdown here.
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