New Colorado Laws Set to Impact Truckers Immediately

There have been a couple of different laws that have been put into place that have been affecting Colorado drivers as of late. 

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One that got a bit of attention last year was a law that required people to pay citations for speeding or running a red light that were given out via camera.

Before, you legally could not pay the fine if you were not notified within 90 days of the violation, but that since has been changed.

However, a different law that recently got put into place also helps drivers who bought faulty cars that break down all the time.

Colorado’s lemon laws were extended, meaning that people now have a longer time to return defective vehicles. 

However, a new law has just been put into place that is going to affect truckers going through the state.

Colorado Law Set to Prohibit Commercial Trucks from Using Left Lane in Certain Months

A major issue throughout the history of driving in the Centennial State has been the notorious I-70.

There’s stretches where not only traffic can get extremely congested, but also has some difficult spots for drivers as well.

These issues are only compounded during the fall and winter months, where I-70 has a chance of being icy and snowy.

These conditions make it particularly challenging to drive for truck drivers. 

Earlier in the year, Colorado’s General Assembly pushed through Senate Bill 24-100, which looked to limit crashes on I-70.

Now, truck drivers are not allowed to drive in the left lane of high risk areas on I-70.

According to Summit Daily, these locations include: 

• Glenwood Canyon
• Dowd Junction, in particular the curvy section between Avon and Vail
• The west side of Vail Pass
• Both sides of the Eisenhower-Johnson tunnels
• Georgetown Hill
• Floyd Hill

Truckers Also Required to Carry Chains in Certain Months

In the past, truckers were required to carry chains or an alternative traction device when using I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero.

Now, between September 1st and May 31st every year, they are required to have them along even more stretches of highway.

These include: 

• I-70 west of milepost 259 (Morrison)
• Colorado Highway 9 milepost 63 to 97 (Frisco to Fairplay)
• Route 40 west of milepost 256 (Empire)
• US Route 50 west of milepost 225 (Salida)
• US Route 160 west of milepost (Morrison)
• US Route 550 from milepost 0 to 130 (State line south of Durango to Montrose)