Driving ‘chain’ law means up to $1,000 fines from September until May 31 next year – it hits major routes

A NEW law will see driver risk fines of up to $1,000 starting from this month and running through to May next year.

The so-called Chain Law applies to a host of major routes running through a US state – with a particular focus on those whose carelessness leads to roads becoming blocked.

AFP

Drivers are being urged to prepare for Colorado’s Chain Law with fines up to $1,000 for drivers who fail to comply on major routes[/caption]

AFP

Colorado’s Chain Law mandates tire chains or traction devices on snowy roads until May next year[/caption]

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Colorado enforces strict fines for drivers without proper traction equipment during snowy months[/caption]

Applying to Colorado throughout the upcoming colder months, the Chain Law, as well as the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law, went into effect on Monday, September 1 and will remain active through to May 31.

According to State Patrol and reported by KKTV, all motor vehicles that weigh less than 16,001 pounds driving along I-70, between Morrison and Dotsero, just east of Glenwood Springs, must have tire chains for two or more drive tires.

Failing that, they must have an approved Alternative Traction Device (ATD), a tool or equipment designed to improve tire traction on snowy or icy roads, for two or more drive tires.

Alternatively, tires with a tread depth of at least 3/16-inch which are rated for either “All weather” or “Mud and Snow” by the manufacturer will also suffice.

Drivers are urged to check if their tires are indicated on the side of the tire by “M+S”, “M/S” or an icon of a mountain with a snowflake.

A penalty for not meeting these requirements is a $50 fine plus a $17 surcharge.

However, for larger vehicles weighing more than 16,000 pounds, a chain or ATD requirements apply on specific roads, regardless of weather.

This applies to several major routes, including I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison) to the Utah border, Colorado Highway 9 between Frisco and Fairplay, Route 40 from Empire to the Utah border and US Route 50 from Salida to the Utah border.

It also covers US Route 160 from Walsenburg to the New Mexico border, US Route 285 from Morrison to the New Mexico border and all of US Route 550.

Larger penalties for non-compliance can be expected here; up to a $500 fine plus a $79 surcharge.

And if a larger vehicle that doesn’t follow the rules ends up stuck and blocking the roadway, the fine increases to $1,000 plus a $157 surcharge.
What’s more, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has announced a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Chain Check Operation, which is scheduled for Thursday on I-70 near Dotsero.

The law is designed to ensure safety during snowfall, particularly in higher elevations, as summer snow is not uncommon in Colorado.

This comes as a law tweak coming to Colorado will see motorists risk $75 civil penalties for travelling 10 mph or more over the speed limit, regardless of who is driving.

According to CPR, Colorado’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) is increasing its efforts to stamp out speeding-related crashes and fatalities by using an automated speed enforcement program called the Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS).

This new program will punish the registered owner of a vehicle that’s caught breaking the speed limit by 10 mph or more – making them responsible for the fine that they must either pay or dispute if the vehicle was stolen or recently sold.

CDOT’s new AVIS system is designed to monitor and penalize speeding drivers, using camera tech to calculate the average speed of vehicles between two points and then issue a $75 penalty.

The system, currently active on Highway 119 in Boulder County, has seen warnings issued to drivers from late July, with actual fines starting soon.

Once these are rolled out, motorists slapped with fines can visit ColoradoSpeedSafety.com to access dispute procedures and further information.

Going forward, CDOT plans to extend AVIS to school zones and other high-risk areas such as construction zones by spring 2026.

Clear signage indicating camera enforcement will be set up and locations will have a 30-day warning period beforehand.