Colorado troopers cited 2,400 commercial vehicle drivers for failing to carry chains this season
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said that more than 2,400 commercial vehicle drivers were ticketed for failing to carry chains this season.
On May 14, CSP issued an update on chain enforcement operations from the fall of 2025 through the spring of 2026.
Since September 2025, Colorado troopers and Ports of Entry officers issued more than 2,400 citations to commercial vehicle drivers for failing to carry chains.
- Citations at Port of Entry – 2,218
- Citations at Mobile Checkpoints – 187
- Port Runners – 317 (*troopers follow and pull over)
Troopers are also warning truckers that proactive chain checks will continue throughout chain law season, which lasts from September 1 to May 31 each year.
“With two weeks left in the Colorado ‘Must Carry’ season, troopers are reminding commercial drivers to stay prepared,” said CSP.
See below for fines for noncompliance with Colorado chain law:
- $100 for failing to carry chains
- $500 for failing to chain up when required
- $1,000 for blocking traffic due to a lack of traction
“We know that I-70 is also ‘main street’ for many of our mountain communities for commuting and emergency service access. Keeping the interstate open through the Colorado mountains is crucial for the state’s economy,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “In addition to keeping our tourism industries thriving, we also need the corridor to transport goods and life-saving services.”