A recently proposed bipartisan legislation aims to enhance Colorado’s chain law, address speeding among commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), and restrict semis from using the left lane on a specific stretch of I-70. The primary goal is to decrease accidents and minimize road closures.

Presented by Colorado State Senator Dylan Roberts at the commencement of the 2024 regular session, the Commercial Vehicle Highway Safety Measures bill (SB24-100) seeks to implement various restrictions on commercial vehicles. The intention behind these measures is to reduce accidents and avoid unwarranted road closures if the bill is approved.

See below for a rundown of the proposed actions set for in the bill:

  1. Expand Chain Law. Currently, Colorado requires commercial vehicles to carry chains on I-70 from September 1 through May 31 each year between milepost 133 in Dotsero and milepost 259 in Morrison. The bill would expand this requirement to I-25 and any interstate, U.S. highway, and state highway west of I-25.
  2. Establish Speed Limit Enforcement Zones. The bill would allow the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to  establish heightened speed limit enforcement zones (zone) within public highways in Glenwood Canyon on I-70 eastbound from milepost 116.0 to milepost 131.0 and westbound from milepost 118.5 to milepost 131.0 where there are safety concerns related to commercial motor vehicle drivers exceeding the posted speed limits. CDOT would be required to post signage informing commercial drivers of the increased fines in the area.
  3. Left Lane Ban. The bill would also forbid trucks in the far left lane I-70 between milepost 116 in Glenwood Springs and milepost 259 in Morrison during all conditions on that highway except to safely pass a vehicle driving under the posted speed limit.
  4. Increased Speeding Fines For CMV Drivers. If the bill passes, any commercial motor vehicle driver who commits a speeding violation in a zone would be subject to double fines and surcharges.
  5. Increase Authority For POE Officers. This provision of the bill would ensure that a port of entry (POE) officer has all the powers of a peace officer when enforcing highway closures and the state’s winter traction device law.

Furthermore, the proposed bill includes a provision to commission a study assessing the viability of establishing additional chain-up stations in Glenwood Canyon. The funding for these stations would come from the anticipated rise in fines for speeding violations by commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), as outlined in the bill.