The Colorado State Patrol has announced a commercial vehicle chain check on Interstate 70 on Thursday.
The commercial vehicle chain check will happen on I-70 near Dotsero, Colorado on October 23rd.
“Chain check operations are held when the weather is not expected to be inclement. This ensures commercial and private drivers are prepared at all times as required by Colorado law,” State Patrol said to KKTV. “The primary focus of [Thursday’s] event will be to enforce Colorado’s must-carry chain law.”
“Colorado’s mountain highways are uniquely challenging with steep grades, unpredictable weather and heavy snow, and commercial vehicles and buses have a larger footprint on roadways where chains are required,” CDOT said. “Vehicles without proper traction can cause road closures, impacting the ability to move goods, services and people throughout our state safely. However, chaining up is just one of the steps CMV drivers prepare to safely deliver goods in Colorado winters.”
“After chaining, drivers continue to haul over Colorado’s steep grades, at reduced speeds, before stopping again to remove the chains. These added steps are layered with mandated rest requirements and the long hours already demanded by the job. Their efforts keep Colorado’s roads open, freight moving and mountain communities connected, even during the harshest storms.”
In 2024, Colorado updated its chain law, mandating all vehicles over 16,000 to carry chains between September 1st and May 31st. More than 1,300 citations were issued during the 2024-2035 chaining season.