Colorado State Patrol starts winter chain-carry checks for trucks on I-70
Safety · Oct 28 · By Truker
Colorado State Patrol scheduled its first proactive chain-carry check of the snow season for Oct. 23 on I-70 near Dotsero in Eagle County, a reminder that commercial vehicles must carry chains on key mountain routes from Sept. 1 to May 31.
The points
- 1CSP announced Oct. 21 that its first proactive Eagle County chain enforcement event of the season was scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, near Dotsero on I-70. CSP schedules these mobile checks on mild-weather days because troopers can't run them during storms.
- 2From Sept. 1 to May 31, Colorado's chain law requires commercial vehicles over 16,000 pounds combined weight used in commerce, or carrying at least 16 passengers including the driver, to carry chains or approved traction devices.
- 3Covered routes, regardless of weather: I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison) to Utah; CO 9 from milepost 63 to 97 (Frisco to Fairplay); US 40 from milepost 256 (Empire) to Utah; US 50 from milepost 225 (Salida) to Utah; US 160 from milepost 304 (Walsenburg) to New Mexico; US 285 from milepost 250 (Morrison) to New Mexico; and all of US 550.
- 4Penalty for not complying: up to a $500 fine plus a $79 surcharge. If a vehicle gets stuck and blocks any traveled lane, it's a $1,000 fine plus a $157 surcharge.
- 5CSP says it posts a reminder on its X, Instagram and Facebook pages the morning of each check.
Why it matters
Checks happen on dry days, not just in storms, so trucks on these Colorado routes need chains aboard from Sept. 1 no matter the forecast. Getting stuck without them costs double.
What we read
Colorado State Patrol, Oct. 21: csp.colorado.gov