Colorado’s chain and traction laws take effect through May

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is reminding drivers that September officially marks the start of the state's Chain Law and Passenger Vehicle Traction Law.

CSP says starting September 1, all the way through May 31, all commercial vehicle drivers must carry chains. They say this includes vehicles with a combined weight of more than 16,000 used for commercial purposes or as a way to transport 16 or more people on public highways.

The laws are managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

According to CSP, the following roads are subject to these chain laws, regardless of weather:

• I-70 west Morrison to the Utah border
• Colorado Highway 9 from Frisco to Fairplay
• Route 40 from Empire to the Utah border
• U.S. Route 50 from Salida to the Utah border
• U.S. Route 160 from Walsenburg to the New Mexico border
• U.S. Route 285 from Morrison to the New Mexico border
• All of U.S Route 550

If drivers don't comply with the restrictions, they could face fines up to $1,000 if they get stuck or block the road, according to officials.

For smaller cars, CSP says if they are traveling on any portion of Interstate-70 between Morrison and Dotsero, they have to:

• Have tire chains for two or more drive tires OR
• An approved ATD for two or more drive tires OR
• Tires that have a tread-depth of at least 3/16 of an inch and that are labeled as "all weather" or "mud and snow"

If driver's don't comply, they face fines of up to $50, according to officials.

More information on the chain laws and other traveler information is available on the Colorado Department of Transportation's website.

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