Three Colorado Chain Law checkpoint dates planned for October with ‘strict enforcement’

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is targeting and ticketing CMV drivers who do not comply with the state’s Chain Law requirements at during three planned enforcement checkpoints this month.

CSP’s Golden Division will partner with the Colorado State Patrol Port of Entry in Dumont and the Colorado Department of Transportation to set up a series of Chain Law checkpoints near Georgetown on I-70 at mile marker 228 (Georgetown Chain Station).

CSP held Chain Law checkpoints in September that were mainly for educational purposes, but troopers said that starting in October, “these checkpoints will become strict enforcement.”

The dates and times for the checkpoints are as follows:

• October 14, 2022 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• October 17, 2022 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• October 26, 2022 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CSP says that all CMV drivers will be required to obey specific signage directing them to the checkpoint. If a CMV driver fails to stop, CSP troopers will be set up specifically to stop those failing to comply.

The penalty for non-compliance with winter driving restrictions is a fine up to $500 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 CSP.

During an early September Chain Law checkpoint, troopers found that only 62% of CMV drivers were in compliance.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) requires that commercial vehicle drivers (GCWR/GVWR of 16,001 pounds or more) traveling on I-70 between mile markers 133 (Dotsero) and 259 (Morrison) carry sufficient chains from September 1 through May 31 each year.

You can click here for more on Colorado Chain Law.