Personal blog about states
For the safety of the traveling public, it’s critical to use chains to be in compliance with Colorado’s chain law. Code 16/Passenger Chain Law: All passenger vehicles need chains , except for 4WD and AWD vehicles with all-weather tires with 3/16 inch tread depth.
Colorado’s chain law applies to all state, federal and Interstate highways and was initially enacted in 1996. It includes two levels for commercial vehicles. Chain Law Level 1 requires all single drive axle combinations commercial vehicles* to chain up. All other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains .
WHAT IS THE LAW ? The law mandates that vehicles always need to have either snow tires or carry some sort of traction device (like chains or tire socks) if they’re not four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The law is in effect from September to May, and it applies to drivers on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison.
4 tire chains
Front-wheel-drive vehicles must put snow chains on their front tires , and rear-wheel-drive vehicles must put them on their rear axle. Ideally, you should put tire chains on all four tires for all types of vehicles. By using four tire chains , you’ll be able to obtain the best possible traction and balance.
Note: premium chains and those for limited clearance or large vehicles can be significantly more. Snow Chains vs . Snow Socks.
Snow Socks | Snow Chains | |
---|---|---|
Strengths | Light & thin (fit limited clearance vehicles) Foldable (to a smaller size) Cheaper (sometimes) | Best for traction Harder wearing Fit without moving the vehicle*1 |
AutoSock is the first product worldwide to be certified according to new European standard EN16662-1:2020. Following EU procedures, the standard has been implemented as national standard in all EU member states, as well as in Norway, Switzerland, Serbia and Turkey.
Colorado chain law applies to every state highway, federal highway and interstate throughout the state. When the chain law is in effect , drivers will see signs along the roadway indicating which vehicles should chain -up.
Carry Chains In These 11 States This Winter 1. California . The California Department of Transportation requires that you have chains when there are snowstorms in the mountains. Colorado . Idaho. Montana. Nevada. New Mexico. Oregon. South Dakota.
Motorists will be alerted to an active Traction Law or Chain Law by highway signage, COtrip.org and traffic/roadway condition alerts. For more information, download the Traction Law Fact Sheet. Sign up for alerts via text or email.
You can always go with all-wheel-drive ( AWD ) for added traction, though it’s not for deeply snow-packed roads. It is best to avoid rear wheel drive cars on Colorado roads in the winter. Certain roads in Colorado will require either all-wheel-drive , chains, or an Autosock during the winter.
When the traction law is in effect, you must be equipped with traction devices or the appropriate snow tires before traveling in the Cottonwood Canyons (S.R. 210 and S.R. 190). Two wheel drive vehicles MAY be denied canyon access if law enforcement believes they present a hazard to safe travel and other motorists.
But when we called the rental car agencies at Denver International Airport, none could guarantee the availability of a vehicle with four- or all-wheel drive. Installing chains would bring you in compliance with the law, but rental car companies don’t allow them.
New in 2019, between September 1st to May 31st of each year, all drivers on I -70 between Morrison, just west of Denver, and Dotsero which is about an hour past Vail , will be required to adhere to the traction law requiring vehicles to have either four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive , snow tires, or tires with the mud/
None of the major rental car companies offer vehicles with snow tires , and at some point during your stay you are probably going to have to drive through the snow . SUVs cost hundreds of dollars a day to rent , not including the high cost of driving them around.