DENVER – Drivers will have to have four-wheel or all-wheel drive, or special tires or traction devices, between September and June starting this year if they are hitting the 127-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between the foothills outside of Denver and Colorado’s Western Slope.
Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 1207 last Friday, which expands Colorado’s traction law to be mandatory at all times during the High Country’s snowy seasons.
Starting Sept. 1 and running through May 31 of each year, all drivers on I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero will be required to adhere to the traction law, which requires vehicles to have either four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with snow or mud+snow-rated tires, or specialized winter tires, chains or other traction devices for cars with two-wheel drive.
The law will also increase the minimum depth requirements for tire tread to three-sixteenths of an inch – up from one-eighth of an inch under current rules.
Currently, traction and chain laws are put into effect before and during snow storms on I-70 and other mountain highways. Under the new law, the rules would only be in place 24/7 on I-70 but will go into effect on other highways when traction and chain laws are activated.
The state Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol are to meet, under the law, to discuss ways to enforce the law and report back to lawmakers by the time it takes effect.
A multi-vehicle crash closed down eastbound I-70 near the Eisenhower Tunnel Monday as heavy snow fell. The traction law is expected to be in effect through Tuesday in the area, with up to 18 inches of snow possible in some areas.
For more tips on driving in the Colorado snow and at high elevations, click here.
