COLORADO — The Colorado State Patrol issued more than 2,400 citations to commercial vehicle drivers for failing to carry chains during the 2025-2026 chain law season, and is reminding truckers that enforcement continues through May 31.
CSP released the season-to-date enforcement totals on May 14, covering operations from September 2025 through the present:
• Citations at Ports of Entry — 2,218
• Citations at Mobile Checkpoints — 187
• Port Runners (drivers who bypassed checkpoints and were followed and pulled over) — 317
At mobile checkpoints, troopers found that 9.6% of commercial drivers contacted were in violation of the Must Carry Law.
The Law
Under Senate Bill 24-100, all commercial vehicles over 16,001 pounds GVWR must carry four tire chains or approved traction devices between September 1 and May 31. The requirement applies to I-70 from Morrison to the Utah state line and several additional state and U.S. highways west of I-25. Commercial vehicles are also restricted from using left lanes in designated mountainous stretches of I-70, including Glenwood Canyon, Dowd Junction, Vail Pass, the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels, Georgetown Hill, and Floyd Hill.
Fines for noncompliance are $100 for failing to carry chains, $500 for failing to chain up when required, and $1,000 for blocking traffic due to a lack of traction.
Why It Matters
CSP Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said keeping I-70 open through the Colorado mountains is critical to the state’s economy and its communities. “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. In addition to keeping our tourism industries thriving, we also need the corridor to transport goods and life-saving services,” Packard said.
With two weeks remaining in the 2025-2026 chain law season, CSP said proactive chain checks will continue at Ports of Entry and along the I-70 corridor.
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