The Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation are holding a conference in Grand Junction on Tuesday to advise commercial vehicle drivers of the new state motor vehicle chain laws that went into effect September 1, 2024.

The conference will take place at the Pilot Truck Stop at 2195 Highway 6 & 50, located north of Interstate 70 at exit 26 at 10:30 a.m. It will also be live streamed via Youtube.

The new law expands the areas where CMVs are required to carry chains.

Chains for CMVs with a combined weight of more than 16,000 lbs. used in commerce or as transport for at least 16 passengers (including the driver) on public highways are required to carry chains or have alternative traction devices (ATD) along the following corridors, regardless of the weather from September 1 to May 31

• 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.

“The Commercial Motor Vehicle Chain Law is a requirement for all large vehicles to affix chains or alternate traction devices (ATDs) to all drive tires (up to four). Even though it has “commercial” in the name, the requirement is based on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for the vehicle regardless of its use (private or commercial) and includes RVs and travel trailers.

“Penalty for non-compliance with winter driving restrictions: Up to a $500 fine plus a $79 surcharge or, if you are stuck and blocking any traveled portion of the roadway the fine is $1,000 plus a $157 surcharge,” according to the Colorado State Patrol website.

Pointing out that the I-70 corridor is an essential transportation artery and noting the frequent closures during both ordinary and extreme weather events, the agencies want to make sure that CMV operators understand the chain requirements.

“One of the identified challenges in keeping this critical roadway open is to ensure that Commercial Motor Vehicles have the proper equipment to handle quickly changing, yet common Colorado weather conditions,” said a release from CDOT. “In an effort to reduce traffic disruptions and road closures, State legislators expanded existing chain laws to move commerce safer, particularly on steep inclines, preventing potential crashes and minimizing the risks of getting stuck. “

More details will be shared at the conference and can be found on the Colorado State Patrol website. 

CSP Capt. Matt Ozanic, Patrol Troop 4A, and John David, CDOT maintenance superintendent, will make the presentation.