Skiing in Colorado? You'll Need To Comply With a New Traction Law for Drivers

I-70 skiers rejoice!

Colorado has tweaked its Passenger Vehicle Traction Law ahead of this winter, updating the rules around which cars need to use chains when the going gets slick.

Drivers who don’t have an AWD or 4WD car equipped with the required tires (winter tires, all-weather rated tires, or mud and snow tires) must have chains or an approved alternative traction device, like EasySox, where traction laws are in place.

Approved tires must also have a tread depth of at least 3/16-inches. Drivers who don’t adhere to the rules can face a $67 penalty.

The Traction Law is in effect each year from September 1 through May 31 on the I-70 Mountain Corridor between Dotsero and Morrison, a stretch of road that connects Denver to popular ski resorts like Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. 

“If you have a two-wheel-drive or a front-wheel-drive vehicle and you want to go along the I-70 mountain corridor from September through May, you have to be carrying a device you can put on your tires,” Colorado Department of Transportation spokesman Andrew Hogle said, according to The Denver Post.

The law can also be enforced on other state highways when weather or road conditions require it.

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CDOT noted on its website that during severe storms, it will implement the more stringent Passenger Vehicle Chain Law, which requires all drivers to have chains or approved traction devices. The agency called this the final safety measure before a highway closes.

I-70 is famous for its pile-ups and mishaps during winter storms. The road even has its own, unofficial Instagram page dedicated to it, @i70things, which chronicles the absurdity that sometimes appears there.

“I-70 is one of the most unique roads in the country and can be a challenging drive,” said Trooper Sherri Mendez with the Colorado State Patrol, in a press release. “With its high-traffic volumes, unpredictable winter driving conditions, low visibility, and steep grades, it’s important for drivers to avoid tailgating and speeding on I-70.”

The updated Traction Law is aimed at making the roads that wind through Colorado’s mountains run more smoothly.

This November, though, hasn’t seen too many large storms that tested the effectiveness of the law, particularly with Colorado seeing a dry start to ski season. That may change soon. There is snow in the forecast for the state’s mountains, according to meteorologist Chris Tomer, a potential boon for skiers that could also mean slippier roads. 

To read up on Traction Law, click here.